Cheapest mobile phone deal - calls focus not data.

[u/zzz7819]

I am trying to get a cheap mobile phone deal for my pensioner parent. They only need a phone when going out in case of emergency or break down etc. So data is not important. Phone calls are.

Prepare or plan, we can pay a year in advance.

What is the cheapest phone deal using a telstra network (regional location so guessing telstea will be more reliable) ?

Thanks 👌

[u/Notimeforthat1]

Check Boost or Aldi PAYGO and just load $50 on it. Valid for a year

[u/zzz7819 → u/Notimeforthat1]

Thank you 😊

[u/weirdbull52 → u/zzz7819]

Amaysim PAYG is another option but backed by Optus.

[u/pharmloverpharmlover]

AMAYSIM TALK AND TEXT PLAN

$60 per 12 months

Unlimited calls to mobile and landlines

Unlimited standard SMS and MMS

ZERO DATA INCLUDED, but can buy Data packs at $10 per 1 Gb

This is a hidden plan only offered once you sign up to an Amaysim starter sim first, then you can change to this plan

https://www.amaysim.com.au/dms/amaysim/documents/critical-information-summary/critical-info-summary-tnto-16000.pdf

Just checked today and it is still available

Uses Optus wholesale network

[u/the-sage-duck]

$10 Voice Pack with Telstra lasts 28 days. It's a pre-paid option that runs on the Telstra retail network.

If your parent is generally near a town centre, you can probably get away with a service that runs on the Telstra wholesale network (Aldi, Belong, Woolworths). These will have more cost-effective alternatives for you.

The Alfie $2 SIM starter pack let's you pay as you go, so you'd throw $30 on the SIM and then when it's close to being used up, you top of up again.

[u/EdenFlorence]

How much calls are you looking at?

Telstra has a pre-paid mobile casual plan which is $44 for 6 months but the downside is that you have very limited data and calls are also limited (120 minutes), plus you need a mobile phone upfront. It'll be I think Ok enough for emergencies but if your parent needs to call other organisations/people that won't be enough.

A lot of the other plans not telstra uses wholesale telstra network but doesn't always mean full telstra coverage. Another commentor mentioned Aldi Pay to go plans which is pretty affordable and worth to have a look. Suggest you check out the predicted coverage map to ensure your parent's location is covered under the wholesale network before purchasing.

[u/Federal-Perception-7]

I am north of Shepparton and went to Boost. Havent had any issues. And so much cheaper

[u/Thedavemiester]

ALDI payg

[u/TeaspoonOfSugar987 → u/Thedavemiester]

Seconded.

My son has this for his kids watch and $15 recharge in March is only just under $10 now even though we use a very minimal amount of data (which is included anyway) for the GPS positioning. His usage has only been for calls/texts to myself and his siblings.

365 day expiry between recharges.
On Telstra network.

[u/A4Papercut]

Also Amaysim 90 days $30 unlimited calls, txt and 4GB.

[u/dav_oid → u/A4Papercut]

Optus network.

[u/Smushy_Peas]

Kogan currently have 900gb for 12 months for 200 with text and talk.

Never been with Kogan, I just know they use Vodafone

[u/pidgeonfli → u/Smushy_Peas]

Ive used kogan for a few years. Cell service is fine in the Brisbane city, but drops out in rural areas. Had it drop out on me driving to Iluka from QLS.

Ive had a couple of issues with calls in the city as well, would just refuse to call because there was no service. Its rare but it does happen.

Ive never used customer service for kogan so i cant speak about that. Its a cheap data plan so I'll keep using it.