Editing Melbourne (section)

=== '''Mobile Phones''' ===

The following is compiled from a discussion CSers had in Feb. '12:

* There are three major phone companies in Australia. The best coverage is Telstra, but is often a bit more expensive, and in the middle is Optus, with Vodaphone being the worst.
* There are small companies like TPG, which are cheap, but again, poor coverage. The cheaper companies just use another companies network, usually Optus or Vodafone, so their coverage will depend on which they use. (TPG use Optus, so their coverage should be the same as Optus. I've heard only bad things about TPG's customer service though.)
* Regarding the plan you choose to go on you need to sign up for a year or two, which doesn't suit most backpackers. Most travellers go with pre-paid mobiles and buy credit as needed. If you intend to travel in remote places go with Telstra, if you intend to stay within cities go with Optus. Avoid Vodaphone like you'd avoid that guy on the dance floor that looks hot from a distance but makes you gasp in horror when near! [https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaidmobile/rechargeoptions/ Optus pre-paid info] and [http://telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/prepaid-offers/index.htm Telstra pre-paid info].
* There are a number of pay-as-you-go options. Amaysim (also uses the Optus network) is the best I've found, given that I want to be able to use my mobile overseas and most of the super cheapies don't allow that. Also check out [http://www.savvytel.com.au/prepaid/savvyLite_readMore Savvytel Lite](pre-paid).
* For international calls only, the cheapest is the [https://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobilephones/internationalcallingrates/calls4less Optus International Connect for Less] prepaid sim. Others look cheaper but have a higher flagfall.