Telstra Corporation Limited : Telstra boosts international data packs as Aussies roam in record numbers

Telstra HomeAbout TelstraMedia CentreAnnouncements Telstra boosts international data packs as Aussies roam in record numbers

With Australians taking smartphones overseas in record numbers, Telstra today boosted its International Roaming Data Packs and upped the number of countries in which these packs can be used.

Telstra's International Roaming Data Packs provide pre-purchased allowances that can reduce the costs associated with browsing the internet and using email on phones and mobile tablets while overseas.

Tim Webber, Director, Telstra Mobile said Australians were now inseparable from their handheld internet devices with many now using their phones and tablets to access data and the internet while travelling.

"Increasingly people want to be able to access email, use business apps, get live maps, browse the web and social network when they're overseas. To support this growing trend we're adding five new International Roaming Data Packs that cater for increasing data needs and allow customers to use data at effectively cheaper rates while overseas.

"For instance downloading 25MB worth of email at the pay-as-you-go rate in one session would cost $384.50 (includes session connection fee). Now a customer can pre-purchase a new $85 International Roaming Data Pack which has an included allowance of $450 which more than covers the cost of this download," Mr Webber said.

Telstra's new $85 and $350 Data Packs and Data Plans are perfect for jet-setting consumers and provide allowances of $450 and $2,250 to put towards overseas data costs respectively. They complement Telstra's existing $29 Pack (with a $150 allowance) and the $160 Pack (with a $900 allowance). New higher value packs are geared to business travellers and are priced at $550 (with a $3,750 allowance), $1,050 (with a $7,500 allowance) and $1,800 (with a $15,000 allowance).

"We're also expanding the countries in which customers can use International Roaming Data Packs adding ten of our most popular international destinations including Greece, China, Spain, Italy, Fiji, Taiwan, Netherlands, Switzerland, the Slovak Republic and Hungary," Mr Webber added.

International Roaming Data Packs are ideal for customers on business or holidaying overseas and customers incur a once-off charge each time a pack is purchased. The packs are valid for 30 days and any unused included allowance is forfeited when the pack expires.

For customers who regularly head overseas, Telstra has also boosted its International Roaming Data Plans which are available at the same price points and data allowances as the Packs. For a monthly fee, International Roaming Data Plans provide a monthly International Roaming allowance towards session connection fees and data usage in selected countries and help to keep regular roaming costs manageable.

International Roaming Data Packs and Data Plans are now available for use in the following 25 countries: New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, USA, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, China, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovak Rep, Spain, Italy and Fiji.

The International Roaming Data Packs and Data Plans are available to Telstra Post-Paid Mobile and Telstra Mobile Broadband® customers. Customers must pay for any usage in excess of, or outside of, their International Roaming data pack or data plan.

Telstra's international roaming tips:

1. Get organised before you go. Before departing, check-in with your phone provider and make sure International Roaming is available where you're going, your phone will work on the overseas network and you understand the charging. Telstra's International Roaming website allows customers to build up a list of countries that they will be travelling to and see the costs associated with roaming in each country.
2. Evaluate your data needs.  Streaming or downloading videos, music, games and apps while overseas requires data and can be costly. You can use handset settings to disable data access while you're overseas, or choose an International Roaming Data Pack or Data Plan with an allowance included.
3. Stay protected. If your phone or mobile SIM card is lost or stolen, call your phone provider immediately. Your SIM card and phone should be PIN protected so it cannot be misused.

For more information on International Roaming, Telstra customers can head to: telstra.com.

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Reference Number:  038 / 2012