Australia to re-introduce mobile roaming? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 02:20:41 am
content: For those of you who might not know, Australia doesn't have such a thing as mobile roaming. If you're in any part of Australia (or its islands) and you're connected to an Australian Telco, you're charged at the same call/SMS/data rate as per your contract. From memory roaming when out with the old AMPS and CDMA systems.Telstra has for many years had by far superior coverage compared to the other two Telco's, Vodafone and Optus.After readingthis article, if it's passed, then roaming is about the make an ugly reappearance which will no doubt lead to increased bills for those not with Telstra.Currently, if your Telco doesn't have coverage in your area, then neither do you (you don't just automatically roam onto another network, unless you're making an emergency call). I can just see with this new proposal, Telstra Wholesale will charge the other Telcos a premium to access its network and those costs will no doubt be passed onto the customer. I can kind-of see why the Government is pushing this but on the other hand, those who need rural mobile coverage will already be connected to Telstra and/or have satellite phone services.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 11:09:59 am
content: Quotein 1982, maybe?don't understand what would have prevented this. it is a win for the consumers, especially in life / death situations in a vast country.you get roaming in many 4th world countries, in Africa but not in Australia?

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 01:04:45 pm
content: I'd think it's a good thing, even if Telstra ends up asking for substantial fees. It'll allow Vodafone and Optus to have a more compelling offering, which might make Telstra try to innovate more as well as a reaction to the stronger competition.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 05:39:58 pm
content: Roaming in S Africa is a kind of hit and miss affair. If you are with one of the smaller providers ( the face is now the Today show host) then you will see roaming to one of the 2 big players. Unfortunately there are issues with call handover, you can go from cell to cell fine, but to hand over between normal network and the roaming partner almost invariably results in a dropped call going one way. Same with the other smaller Telco player and the other big player, you might roam or you might not.Other than that roaming is almost invariably turned off, as the charges are rather steep in roaming.

author: guido
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 06:25:52 pm
content: it's called national roaming. You do have 'normal' roaming, when you visit another country.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 08:14:21 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on September 05, 2016, 11:09:59 amWell not really, if you make an emergency call, any network which has coverage in your area handles the call. Even if you don't have a SIM in your phone.Quote from: Maxlor on September 05, 2016, 01:04:45 pmI'm willing to bet the price of Vodafone and Optus services will go up. All of a sudden Telstra becomes competitive in terms of pricing (and they can quite fairly advertise "no national roaming" costs.) It might work out better for Telstra in the long run as customers switch over. I mean it doesn't bother me as I'm a Telstra customer, I just thought I'd throw it up for discussion.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 05:56:28 am
content: Quote from: dannyf on September 05, 2016, 11:09:59 amIn an emergency you dial 000 or 112 and it will get through on any service, and apparently increase the output power too.I got stuck in a lift the other month that gets no reception on any network, but the emergency call went through just fine.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 05:58:05 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 05, 2016, 02:20:41 amCan't you just turn off roaming on your phone if you don't want it?If so, what's the problem? Extra coverage for those that want it, or nothing changes for those that don't.

author: Wirehead
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 08:55:22 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 06, 2016, 05:56:28 amTime for another video! Curious to know if that's the case. Bonus knowledge to the video: how to shield the phone from making the call: faraday cages

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 09:17:06 am
content: Here in NZ the smaller Telcos lease connectivity on the main Telco's cell masts.And apart from emergency calls we have no national roaming AFAIK.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 10:02:36 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 06, 2016, 05:58:05 amDave, do you really think people are that smart? I think it'll cause more issues than it's worth, with bill shock etc... If they wanted the extra coverage, they'd already be with Telstra (or a Telstra reseller). Half the population can't even cross a street without being taken out by a car.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 10:24:45 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 06, 2016, 10:02:36 amThey'll learn.QuoteTelstra isn't magic. I've had reception on Vodaphone and Optus when Telstra has zip.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 10:27:30 am
content: QuoteHopefully that will get them to be smarter next time.QuoteI like your confidence in your fellow aussies.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 10:56:56 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 06, 2016, 10:24:45 amNo not magic, but I can't think of one example in the last 10 years where I've had no reception where Optus and Vodafone have and I've been to Tilpa, NSW (and in between).I dunno, I just feel uneasy about this whole roaming thing. It just gives companies an excuse to rip off the consumer. Telstra has a point, they've poured a lot of money into making their network better. It wasn't until Vodafone has all sorts of dropout and data issues where they forked out a bit of cash and did the same. I think a little competition in this instance is not such a bad thing. I understand I pay a premium for better coverage and in most cases, faster data speeds, but that's my choice. It's also the reason I put 98 Octane fuel in my car instead of that E10 shit.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 10:59:32 am
content: "dunno, I just feel uneasy about this whole roaming thing"Then don't turn on roaming on your phones.But your unease about it is not a valid reason to disallow it for others we may want to use it.It beats me someone wants to reject an option, not an obligation.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 11:05:30 am
content: Quote from: dannyf on September 06, 2016, 10:59:32 amThe option already exists. It's called shopping around for a product/service that works for you. My concern is national roaming will end up costing consumers more in the long run. I don't see why we need to fix what isn't broken? Want rural coverage? Go with a provider that offers it in your area.I don't think it's something the government need to worry themselves about right now. How about fixing the NBN debacle first? I'd rather them spend time and money on fixing our internet infrastructure.