Infrequent use plans

[Ext User(D. Dude)]

Am I correct in thinking, there are very few choices now for SIMs that
have no upfront application fees and negligible on-going costs?

For post-paid, the only options seems to be the Unison Mobile standard
plan but they appear to insist on direct-debit payment nowadays (for
those without union links at least)

For pre-paid there only seems to be one plan without credit expiry:
SavvyTel prepaid. Their FAQ mentions they'll disconnect inactive
services after 6 months, so you'd need to have at least one incoming or
outgoing call or SMS every six months. The call rates are good but they
try to make up for it to some extent by other charges, such as charges
for checking your balance and calling customer service. Does anyone have
any experience of them?

Both of the above are on Vodafone FWIW.

Any other dirt cheap plans out there?

Thanks,

D.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

D. Dude <xzzyx@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Am I correct in thinking, there are very few choices now for SIMs that have no upfront application
> fees and negligible on-going costs?

There never were very many. The number hasnt reduced much.

> For post-paid, the only options seems to be the Unison Mobile standard plan

Nope, there is still the Optarse Usage Only plan,
the original Virgin postpaid, the Vodafone NoPlan,
Southern Cross Mobile.

> but they appear to insist on direct-debit payment nowadays (for those without union links at
> least)

I dont believe that is any big deal.

> For pre-paid there only seems to be one plan without credit expiry:
> SavvyTel prepaid. Their FAQ mentions they'll disconnect inactive
> services after 6 months, so you'd need to have at least one incoming
> or outgoing call or SMS every six months. The call rates are good but
> they try to make up for it to some extent by other charges, such as
> charges for checking your balance and calling customer service. Does
> anyone have any experience of them?

> Both of the above are on Vodafone FWIW.

> Any other dirt cheap plans out there?

The Optarse Usage Only plan is a bit tricky to sign up
for, you have to come off an Optarse contract to get it.

Southern Cross Mobile is pretty decent.
http://www.scmobile.com.au/YourMobileMain.htm

[Ext User(stevesub)]

We changed to Southern Cross a few months ago (2 x phones) - no
problems, works well for our low call rates. No $ per month if the
invoice is emailed and you autopay from a credit card. Saving heaps
when compared with our old plans on Telsra (CDMA) and Vodafone.

Stevesub


Rod Speed wrote:
> D. Dude <xzzyx@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Am I correct in thinking, there are very few choices now for SIMs that have no upfront application
> > fees and negligible on-going costs?
>
> There never were very many. The number hasnt reduced much.
>
> > For post-paid, the only options seems to be the Unison Mobile standard plan
>
> Nope, there is still the Optarse Usage Only plan,
> the original Virgin postpaid, the Vodafone NoPlan,
> Southern Cross Mobile.
>
> > but they appear to insist on direct-debit payment nowadays (for those without union links at
> > least)
>
> I dont believe that is any big deal.
>
> > For pre-paid there only seems to be one plan without credit expiry:
> > SavvyTel prepaid. Their FAQ mentions they'll disconnect inactive
> > services after 6 months, so you'd need to have at least one incoming
> > or outgoing call or SMS every six months. The call rates are good but
> > they try to make up for it to some extent by other charges, such as
> > charges for checking your balance and calling customer service. Does
> > anyone have any experience of them?
>
> > Both of the above are on Vodafone FWIW.
>
> > Any other dirt cheap plans out there?
>
> The Optarse Usage Only plan is a bit tricky to sign up
> for, you have to come off an Optarse contract to get it.
>
> Southern Cross Mobile is pretty decent.
> http://www.scmobile.com.au/YourMobileMain.htm

[Ext User(Mike)]

D. Dude wrote:
> Am I correct in thinking, there are very few choices now for SIMs that
> have no upfront application fees and negligible on-going costs?

iSim is only $20/year min. Is that dirt-cheap enough?
Their no-flagfall rate is great for short calls.

[Ext User(RdrrRdrrr)]

On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:49:00 +0800, Mike
<mike.n@nospam-westnet.com.au> wrote:

>D. Dude wrote:
>> Am I correct in thinking, there are very few choices now for SIMs that
>> have no upfront application fees and negligible on-going costs?
>
>iSim is only $20/year min. Is that dirt-cheap enough?
>Their no-flagfall rate is great for short calls.

Not to mention the per second charging . . .