[isdoo]

Hi,

I am trying VOIP diverted to local sim's for a trip around Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

This is by far the cheapest way to get incoming calls rather than me paying roaming charges for incoming calls.

Can anyone suggest the best options for prepaid sims in these three countries, and the easiest way to get the sim cards?

I am getting conflicting advice for Australia - some say Vodafone others say Telstra have the best coverage. But I have no idea about Singapore and Hong Kong.

Many thanks.

[Febs]

A friend from work recently gave me her old HK pre-paid SIM as my parents are travelling there in a few weeks.

It cost $48HKD (about $9AUD) for the starter kit (including SIM and phone number), includes 96mins of local calls, 50 free SMS's and when I tested it just then, it connected to the Telstra network via global roaming here in Sydney!

It comes in a small blue folder with a picture of the HK skyline on it, and says "Prepaid SIM card "Hong Kong Special Edition"".

Cheers,
- Febs.

[trippin_the_rift]

Definately telstra in Australia! Largest and best coverage by far.

telstra sim cards are also free ($1 AUD sometimes) if you need one.

[Maca44]

In Hong Kong you can purchase a pre paid SIM from any 7/11 store and they work out very reasonable. The only problem is that after you buy it you then need to notify all concerned of your new contact number whilst in HKG.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Maca44

The only problem is that after you buy it you then need to notify all concerned of your new contact number whilst in HKG.

Or you can...

Originally Posted by isdoo

I am trying VOIP diverted to local sim's for a trip around Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

isdoo - fwiw, I find Vodafone to have much better coverage around Sydney and NSW, but it really depends on the location, phone etc...

I've been with Vodafone for years and have been very happy. My best mate was with Telstra (with the same model phone) and I consistently had better reception. He's now changed to Voda.

Cheers,
- Febs.

[serfty]

I had some advice from FT and while in HKG was able to purchase for HKD98 a pre-paid "Peoples" IDD Sim card.

In fact, this weekend I purchased another so we could contact each other or make calls at a reasonable cost while we were there. Both came with "bonus" HKD30 'refills'.

How reasonable? Try HKD0.25 per minute anywhere within HKG and elsewhere including the LOTFAP and any Oz landline. It is HKD2.25 to any Oz Mobile. (In Oz dollars that's AUD0.04 and AUD0.36 respectively)

So your HKG98 (AUD18) Stored value SIM can get you well over 8 hours of calls.

[isdoo]

Thanks - looks ideal