Calling an Aus mobile in the US/ texting

[StephAus]

Ok, so I've only just got calling the US from my landline down pat. But what happens if I need to use my mobile when we are over there.

What if I need to call my sister's mobile (who will be over there with me)?
Do I need to put all the country codes, etc. to call/text a mobile in Aus?

I'm confused :confused3

[AussiePJ]

Yes, you need to call her as if you are making an international call to Australia. ie +61 area code number

[Willow25]

If you are going to be using your phone for any calls within the states then I would seriously think about a prepaid mobile which you can get anywhere and pretty cheap. We have had some pretty scary bills and we barely used our phones.

[StephAus]

Thanks for that. But phones are for emergencies only. I didn't want to be stuck over there in an emergency and not know how to call anyone, again...:rolleyes1

[Feej]

If you are going to be using your phone for any calls within the states then I would seriously think about a prepaid mobile which you can get anywhere and pretty cheap.

Thats exactly what we did. Bought the phone for 20 bucks (I think) then a $50 card. Used it a lot (not for phoning home), and it still had credit on it when we left.

[DizOz]

Just a few things to remember if using an Australian based mobile

1. Make sure you have international roaming activated on your phone
2. MAke sure the phone is a tri-band phone older mobiles may not work in US. Learnt this years ago with a dual band phone which was common in Australia.
3. When dialling back to Australia 0011 61 Area code without the leading 0 then the phone number
4. If your mobile is setup correctly with international codes etc you can dial straight from your contact lists.

[shushh]

Just wondering if anyone knows...if sending an sms in states using an Aus-based phone, are the rates the same? Does the number you are texting to make a difference? ie to a us phone or another Aus phone?

[Willow25]

The rates are definitely not the same. Not sure about the differences in rates if you are texting a US or Oz phone. However you get charged international rates. Maybe call your phone company and ask them to send you the info. We used texting a lot especially when I would go and my DH stayed here. We had huge bills and barely spoke!

[gogo65]

Just wondering if anyone knows...if sending an sms in states using an Aus-based phone, are the rates the same? Does the number you are texting to make a difference? ie to a us phone or another Aus phone?

When we were in WDW last year I texted a friend who was also in WDW, both of us were Aussies using our phones from home, we paid about $1/text to each other. I didn't really mind because we only texted a couple of times, but if it was my DD or DS whoa... there bills would have been huge...:rotfl: