A number of alternatives exist to utilising the IMR services of a domestic provider. These alternatives include:
A customer purchasing a travel product from their domestic mobile service provider
Purchasing a travel product or travel-specific SIM from a third party
Purchasing a cheap phone & SIM pack at an overseas destination
Using an unlocked mobile device and purchasing a SIM overseas (many airports offer SIM packs in vending machines)
Utilising free Wi-Fi: many hotels and large chains such as Starbucks offer free Wi-Fi .
The Three network providers (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) offer specialist travel products known as ‘data packs’ to their customers. These cover data use only; for Voice and SMS prices, customers need to check the rates on their respective websites. An advantage of these data packs is that the customer can often retain their usual phone number while overseas. It should be noted that the default rates charged for excess usage after the purchase of a travel pack can be the same as the casual rates, see the table below.
Travel specific products compare favourably with the rates for international roaming charged by the Australian mobile network providers for some destinations. For some products customers must unlock their phones and remove their domestic SIM card meaning they will not be able to use their existing mobile phone number whilst travelling overseas.
Travel Products (New Zealand used as default destination)
Including the alternative measures as a solution to bill shock is beyond the scope of the Minister’s Direction, however a public awareness campaign has been planned to coincide with the making of the IMR Standard.
The alternatives to IMR may be less attractive to consumers for a range of reasons. For example, if a consumer purchases a new SIM for travelling, they may have a different contact number to that for their domestic use. In addition, a customer may have to pay a significant amount to unlock their mobile device prior to being able to utilise an alternative SIM. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in some destinations; however it is not ubiquitous and may be subject to variable performance and questions about data security. In short, many of the alternatives to IMR do not provide a seamless experience for consumers, but nevertheless remain an attractive alternative.
