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How can I keep my number when changing carriers?
If you wanted to change your mobile service provider prior to Sep 25, 2001, you’d be looking at a brand new number. And with it the painful task of informing all your contacts of your new details. Mobile number portability, MNP for short, changed all that and now you can keep your number as you hop from one service provider to another.
You might want to change providers for many reasons. A better deal, a better handset, customer service, coverage...it could be anything. Of course you don’t have to keep you old number if you don’t want to, but MNP makes it possible if you do.
You can move your number from your current provider to your new provider at the time of signing up with the new provider. It is possible to move from pre-paid to pre-paid, post-paid to post-paid and even between pre-paid and post-paid without losing your number, so long as your name is on both the accounts. Moving from a pre-paid service requires just your name and date of birth, while moving from a post-paid account will need your account number as well.
In case the number is not in your name, before you port the number you need to do a ‘transfer of ownership’ so that both losing and gaining accounts are in the same name.
Porting can take from a few hours to a few days as the process involves getting a few different systems to exchange information, and any one of them might be on the blink at any given time. Sometimes delays might be because of incorrect account information. So be prepared to lose reception for a little while when the number actually switches over from one service provider to another.
Check out the ACMA site for more information on porting - http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1787#20
Learn about other commonly used mobile terms.
How to buy an iPhone in Australia?
Apple launched the highly popular iPhone 3G in Australia in July 2008. Two iPhone 3GS models were released in 2009 which have been even more popular. Australia’s love affair with all things Apple continues with the launch of the iPad and in a few short months we can look forward to the 4G hitting our shores with promises of bigger better things.While the phone itself stands for elegance and simplicity, deciding how to get one is a decision filled with complex decision making. There are three ways you can get yourself an iPhone
1. Free - on a 2 year contract. May need an upfront payment
2. Pay monthly – on a 1 or 2 year contract. May need an upfront payment
3. Outright – pay full price upfront, through Apple or some other reseller
The best option depends entirely on your situation. If cash flow is not an issue, I would always recommend option 3 where you buy the phone outright and avoid any long term contracts. However a contract can help spread the cost over a longer term, making it easier on the wallet.We have put together a collection of all iPhone plans available in the Australian market to help you find the best one. Almost every major phone company offers dedicated iPhone plans. Some also carry sim-only or BYO plans for that iPhone you’ve already purchased outright. While selecting a plan the thing to keep in mind is that this phone is a data hog. And that makes it very important to be on a plan with a generous data allowance – stories of $10000 data bills are still quite common as people blow their data caps and end up paying ridiculous excess data rates.Here is the lowdown of all available plans. Hope you’ve brought something to read as its going to be a long ride!
Telstra:10 plans starting from $60 per month up to $250 per month. Data packs start at $5 for 30 MB and go up to $99 for a very commodious 9 GB.Contract term: 24 months
| Plan | Included Data | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| $60 iPhone Plan | $10 | $0 | $149 | $299 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $80 iPhone Plan | $10 | $0 | $49 | $199 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $100 iPhone Plan | $10 | $0 | $0 | $49 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $150 iPhone Plan | $15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $250 iPhone Plan | $15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $150 Ultimate II Plan | 1 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $49 Next G™ Cap Plan | 200 MB | $239 | $395 | $549 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $79 Next G™ Cap Plan | 500 MB | $0 | $169 | $329 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $99 Next G™ Cap Plan | 500 MB | $0 | $59 | $199 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
| $129 Next G™ Cap Plan | 1 GB | $0 | $59 | $199 | 30 MB, 200 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 6 GB, 9 GB |
Telstra does not offer any sim only plans for the iPhone. But their no-contract Casual plans can be used to go with an outright iPhone.
Optus: 7 plans starting from $19 per month up to $250 per month. Data packs start at $4.99 for 75 MB and go up to $44.99 for a 6 GB.
Contract term: 24 months
| Plan | IncludedData | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| $19 iPhone Cap Plan | 100 MB | $20 | $27 | $33 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $49 iPhone Cap Plan | 250 MB | $6 | $12 | $19 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $59 iPhone Cap Plan | 700 MB | $0 | $7 | $14 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $79 iPhone Cap Plan | 1 GB | $0 | $0 | $9 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $99 Timeless Max Plan | 1.5 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $119 Timeless Max Plan | 3 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $129 Timeless Max Plan | 4 GB | $239 | $395 | $549 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
Optus also offer BYO plans where you bring in your own iPhone and attach it to these plans. They come with a higher included data allowance, plus the option to tack on an optional data bonus option to further boost included data.
Contract term: 12 months
| Plan | IncludedData | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| $19 iPhone BYO iPhone | 100 MB(+200 MB bonus option) | $20 | $27 | $33 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $29 iPhone BYO iPhone | 200 MB(+500 MB bonus option) | $6 | $12 | $19 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $49 iPhone BYO iPhone | 250 MB(+500 MB bonus option) | $6 | $12 | $19 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $59 iPhone BYO iPhone | 700 MB(+1 GB bonus option) | $0 | $7 | $14 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $79 iPhone BYO iPhone | 1 GB(+1 GB bonus option) | $0 | $0 | $9 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $99 Timeless Max BYO Plan | 1.5 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $119 Timeless Max BYO Plan | 3 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $129 Timeless Max BYO Plan | 4 GB | $239 | $395 | $549 | 75 MB, 350 MB, 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
Vodafone: Vodafone plans are simpler yet cover the field quite well.
Contract term: 24 months
| Plan | IncludedData | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| $49 iPhone Cap Plan | 50 MB | $0 | 15 | 22 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $69 iPhone Cap Plan | 500 MB | $0 | 5 | 15 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $79 iPhone Cap Plan | 1 GB | $0 | $0 | 10 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $99 Unlimited Cap | 2 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $119 Unlimited Cap | 4 GB | $0 | $0 | $0 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
Vodafone also offer the above plans in 12 months, but we couldn’t find the monthly handset repayments for iPhones on their website.
Three: iPhone plans from Three are quite attractive particularly for lighter users. The $39 Pack offers a reasonable amount of included value and the monthly repayment is quite low compared to other carriers.
| Plan | IncludedData | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| $39 Pack | 150 MB | $5 | $10 | $14 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $49 Pack | 250 MB | $0 | $5 | $10 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $79 Pack | 1 GB | $0 | $0 | $5 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $99 Unlimited Pack | 2 GB | $0 | $0 | $5 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
| $119 Unlimited Pack | 4 GB | $0 | $0 | $5 | 100 MB, 500 MB, 2 GB, 6 GB |
Virgin Mobile: Virgin have made it really simple with two dedicated iPhone plans. But you can get it like any other handset on their standard Rollover plans.
| Plan | IncludedData | 3G 8GB | 3GS 16GB | 3GS 32GB | Data packs |
| iPhone Rollover cap Plan 70 | 1 GB | $0 | $0 | $15 | 50 MB, 300 MB, 1 GB |
| iPhone Rollover cap Plan 100 | 5 GB | $0 | $0 | $15 | 50 MB, 300 MB, 1 GB |
Outright purchase: You can purchase the iPhone directly from the Apple Australia website, or from one of their preferred resellers. Another option is to buy from an overseas shop like Amazon and have it shipped over through a freight forwarding agency.
So which option is best? The best option obviously depends on your individual usage and budget. You can compare all available iPhone plans from all Australian carriers here, and fine-tune the results to find the most suitable plan.
This article can also be seen on Squidoo.com.