ALDI Mobile Phone Plan

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 09:32
ThreadID: 137149 Views:9548 Replies:11 FollowUps:35
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Hi All,

I'm thinking of changing my mobile phone plan from Telstra to Aldi pre-paid.

I'm hearing rumours that, although Aldi use the Telstra network, this only applies in built up areas, and outside those areas coverage is in the lap of the gods.

Are there any Aldi users who can confirm or deny?

Thanks and regards,

Greg..
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Reply By: tshilux - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 09:42

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 09:42
Confirm - I am with Telstra and my wife Aldi. On a recent trip to Birdsville there were a number of occasions where I had coverage and she did not.

Tony
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 10:00

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 10:00
Go with Boost. Its coverage is identical to Telstra. Infact it is Telstra.
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Follow Up By: Member - peter_mcc - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 15:58

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 15:58
If you check out the coverage maps you can tell - a friend did it the other day. Telstra/Boost have lots more coverage in the "bush". Aldi/etc have good coverage close to the east coast but not much inland.

Perhaps stick a spare $2 prepaid Optus SIM in the glovebox - they have coverage in some places that Telstra don't because they have a new satellite connected base station that makes it economical to roll out in remote areas.

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Follow Up By: qldcamper - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 17:28

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 17:28
Boost is very good for the price.
I have worked with many people that use boost at remote mine sites and most of the time its fine, but when the towers start to get close to their limit, it is the boost customers that lose data speed and get call drop outs before telstra customers.
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 13:00

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 13:00
Boost is good.
Couple of limitations to data: you get 4G but not 4GX and there's a daily volume limit.
I use a dual SIM phone and variously use Telstra, Boost and Amaysim (Optus) cards.
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Reply By: Malcom M - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 10:45

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 10:45
Telstra does not give its wholesalers 100% access to its network (maybe due to them not wanting to pay for it).
Lots of remote areas are not covered by the Aldi's etc.
Check the coverage map from the providers.
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:01

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:01
We just covered the Oodnadatta Track from Marree to Marla, no Telstra coverage only Optus. Not great when we all seem to think that Telstra is there to cover the areas the others don't. We also pay a premium for Telstraservices. Michael
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Follow Up By: Malcom M - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:13

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:13
Thats really surprising with no Telstra.

Optus is currently rolling out new towers to try and cover a lot of the remote areas but apparently do not intend to gain the same coverage as Telstra. Guess they put one up near where you were.
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Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 13:15

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 13:15
But surely if you are going that far off the beaten track, wouldn't you take a SAT phone? I know I would.
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 13:47

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 13:47
Kazza My comment about no Telstra on the Oodnadatta Track was just an observation. There is service along the way, just not Telstra! Michael.
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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 11:44

Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 11:44
Yes, in June of this year, there was Optus in Innimincka, Mungeranie, Marree, and William Creek. But no Telstra service in those spots. :(

P.S. Of course I also had a sat phone along for emergencies.
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Reply By: Member - Bob & Marg - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 11:17

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 11:17
I was was Aldi and suffered the same fate no coverage in outer areas, we log onto the internet with Telstra no problems but no coverage in the same location with Aldi (outer Qld) I changed to Telstra prepaid to solve the problem.
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Reply By: Greg A6 - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 20:27

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 20:27
Thanks all for the confirmation. Looks like I'm sticking with Telstra or maybe Boost.
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Reply By: Zippo - Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 22:23

Tuesday, Aug 21, 2018 at 22:23
Telstra and Boost are the only options for their full ("retail") network coverage. All the others only have access to the Telstra wholesale network. It's not that the resellers (Aldi etc) don't want to pay for full network access - Telstra simply don't offer it to them. Their thinking (?) was to mimic Optus coverage. If a town had Optus, then that part of the Telstra retail network would be included in the wholesale scope. By comparison, ALL Optus resellers get access to their complete network coverage.

The full story is to view the coverage maps.

Several years back now, Optus set up a pilot site at Oodnadatta. Since then, they have added a couple of dozen of these microcells across northern SA (Mungerannie, Marree, William Creek etc) and up the Stuart Hwy. Seems Telstra's demarcation boundary between wholesale and retail is set in concrete, so the old adage "in the bush it's Telstra or nothing" is now far from a given.

Solution (apart from satphone) is a cheap Optus SIM (if your primary service isn't on Optus already) and a Telstra pre-paid one. Good reason to keep your old cellphone when you update.
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Reply By: qldcamper - Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 07:32

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 07:32
Can anyone shed any light on this then?

A couple of times when travelling we got a text from telstra saying we were in ( i think from memory) a micro cell and gave a link to be able to use it, but we were out of range before it was worth the trouble.

Also at innamincka you get full telstra signal strength but it asks for a credit card before you can use it.

Apparently telstras anywhere in Australia actually means almost anywhere.
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Thursday, Aug 23, 2018 at 20:59

Thursday, Aug 23, 2018 at 20:59
they call it a ( small cell area )
Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Aug 23, 2018 at 21:17

Thursday, Aug 23, 2018 at 21:17
Yeah, I get the same messages too, QC. And like you, generally out of range by the time I read the SMS.

There's one at Kynuna, on the Landsborough H'way.

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: qldcamper - Friday, Aug 24, 2018 at 09:09

Friday, Aug 24, 2018 at 09:09
Very hard to find out any information on how to actually use it, there is plenty on the net of telstra saying how good it is or will be but nothing i can find about how to connect or use, and most important, how much it will cost for customers to access.
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Reply By: Alloy c/t - Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 08:38

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 08:38
Sometimes you just have to laugh at the absurdity of the mobile phone business out of the major areas , Gem Tree just North and East of Alice has only Optus mobile close to the 'Shop' ...it has Telstra public phone and landline , here is the absurdity , it has 'micro' WiFi Telstra at the campgrounds near the ablution blocks supplied by the NT Govt tourist dept , takes a little to get 'on' and is slow BUT perfect for emails and messenger .....
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 07:50

Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 07:50
if you have a 4G phone you can make phone calls over any Wifi.

For Android devices:

Go to your phones calling app
Select ‘More’ or the three dots in the top right corner
Select ‘Settings’
Turn on ‘Wi-Fi Calling.

For iPhone:

Go to Settings
Select ‘Phone’
Turn on ‘Wi-Fi calling’
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Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 11:26

Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 11:26
I don't want to high jack the thread...

But can you explain what wifi phone calls are and what the advantage/disadvantages are.

The nagivator has a 4G phone and I am due to upgrade mine. I was looking for a second hand non smart phone - but could be persuaded.

Cheers

Anthony

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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 15:39

Saturday, Aug 25, 2018 at 15:39
Boobook really ?? In the words of a well known Redhead 'please explain' for in no way shape or form at the 'micro cell' at Gem Tree supplied through Telstra for the NT tourist information service was it possible to make a 'voice' phone call , DATA only on wifi even after jumping through the hoops required to access the system be it on an Apple or an Android device ...phone or tablet or laptop....
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 02:27

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 02:27
Tony, I'm not sure where you got those steps for an iPhone but they certainly don't eventuate on the menu structure in our iPhone SE's (late-2017 delivery, iOS 10.3.3).
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 08:44

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 08:44
Really alloy!!. Your phone may not support it. It does work though.

voice over wifi 1

Voice over wifi 2

If your phone ever shows VoLTE symbol then it will work.

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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 08:54

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 08:54
Boobook , IT DOES NOT WORK , no ifs ,no buts , iPhone 6 / 7 / 8 ,,,latest Samsung phone , MacAir , iPad .... NONE will allow you VOICE call on the micro cells supplied by TELSTRA for the NT tourist department in various remote locations , strictly data ONLY.....
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:18

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:18
Alloy.. maybe IT DOES NOT WORK for you! because you don't have the right phone, you dont know how to set it up or some other issue.. But it certainly does work and has done so for several.years. Sure wifi is data only. But you will find ALL 4g calls are data. Over 4g or wifi.

Please don't shout. Especially when you don't know the facts. Not only does it work but I use it occasionally. Please check it out for yourself. You may even find it handy. IF you have the right phone and set it up. You need it to support VoLTE which most decent phones in the last few years do. I'm not sure if optus vodafail or telstra resellers support it.





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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:20

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:20
Zippo. I got those steps from the telstra crowd support page. It may be old. Sorry I don't have an iPhone.
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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:31

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 09:31
Boobook ,your last statement to Zippo says it all , you got the info from Telstra crowd support that is out of date , may I suggest you phone Gem Tree or the NT tourist information service to get the actual facts on the services available , what 'magical' phone is required , just because a 'Telstra web site tells you so , does in NO WAY shape or form can it be fully be relied upon ,,,you cannot make a Voice call using the micro cells set up by Telstra for the NT tourist department in any shape or form from ANY phone or device .end of story.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 20:07

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 20:07
Ok.Sure Alloy.
You should tell Telstra. It works in lots of places for me exactly as described and promoted.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 20:36

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 20:36
This article from OPTUS is worth a read.
The Satellite Small Cell at Gumtree is an Optus cell.
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Follow Up By: Member - peter_mcc - Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 23:39

Sunday, Aug 26, 2018 at 23:39
I was at Gemtree 2 months ago and was a bit confused the first time I read this reply. Then I read it again.

The "micro Telstra Wifi" is actually satellite internet provided by NT Tourism - it doesn't have anything to do with Telstra (at least as far as I know). You sign in and get 100Mb of downloads/uploads (hidden in the fine print). Given the speed I was getting from it with the campground around half full I don't think you'd be able to make any sort of voice call over it - perhaps morse code... slowly...

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 10:23

Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 10:23
For those who use Telstra and want to use 'wifi calling' and have a recent Android. try this

Swipe down from the top of your screen and turn on WIFI calling.

Then connect to any wifi network including a hotspot.

If there is no mobile coverage, simply make a call.

If there is mobile coverage and you want to try it. Turn on flight mode to turn off all the phones radio interfaces, try to make a call - it won't work. Then turn on Wifi but leave flight mode on.

You can make and receive calls.

Note you will be charged for them as normal.





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Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 10:37

Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 10:37
Come on Boobook , tell us how A. how to connect to any WiFi network or hotspot WITHOUT having the password or if there is NO mobile coverage simply make a CALL..... Next your going to tell us that if there is absolutely NO Coverage ,even SOS you can with your magic phone can still make calls by swiping from / to flight mode ...wifi and hotspots ..... IF there is no coverage there is no CALLS.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 14:13

Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 14:13
Sorry Boobook - I have a current Android running Android 9 Pie - there is no Wifi Calling option.

I turned 4g data off and connected to my Wifi and tried to ring - but it just used the GSM network (without the data function).

Please tell me where I can find this Wifi Calling Option because on Android 9 it is not obvious to me and is not where you said it is.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 06:48

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 06:48
Alloy, I NEVER said you could connect to any WiFI network or hotspot without a password. I never mentioned passwords. You misquoted me again. Your stupid extrapolation of what I would say next shows you have no bloody idea. It's like discussing something with a chimp.

If the Wifi or hotspot needs a password, it needs a password. When you have the connection, you can make Voice over wifi calls.

Garry,

Try this, it is in the us but should help.

https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/troubleshooting-wifi-calling-android-video/


Anyway for those interested, it works. You can connect using a reasonable quality Wifi service where there is no cell coverage. I suggest that you google it, and try it - look at your phone's manual or call your carrier.

For Alloy, it doesn't matter how much you misquote me or keep saying that it doesn't work. You can't change the fact that it does work, and works well.

Alloy if you chose to believe that it doesn't work. That is fine by me.



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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:22

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:22
I'm completely over trying to defend something I know to be true with someone who I don't know, who misquotes me, has no capacity to have a decent discussion, and who is not prepared to listen.

I hope that the information I gave can help travellers in remote areas where there is no cell reception make and receive calls.

It is a fact that you can make calls on a quality Wifi network where there is mobile coverage. I have done it, Telstra's website has details and it is in most phones up to a few years old. I suggest that if anyone is interested in it that they look into it. Sorry I cant be a help desk for every phone, it will be in the manual how to use it, I am sure. On a Samsung it is on be default if you follow my instructions above.

I have not tested every wifi hot spot in Australia, but I have tried it at a few locations and once enabled, it works seamlessly.

For those who just want to pick a fight and misquote me, I'm sorry I am not engaging on this anymore.

For the others, look into it, It's a great system.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:47

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:47
Some phones are just not compatible with Wifi.

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:55

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 07:55
Oops, I made a typo 2 posts above

"It is a fact that you can make calls on a quality Wifi network where there is mobile coverage. I have done it"

Should read

"It is a fact that you can make calls on a quality Wifi network where there is no mobile coverage. I have done it"
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 11:10

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 11:10
Tony - thanks for putting up a picture of yourself - it does help to put a face to a name :-)

Ok - thanks for that link - I suspect it is a bit old and certainly does not apply to my current Android - however it did give me the correct terms to go searching in my system for what you are talking about - and yes the function is there buried deep in the menu system.

Some screen shots




So if you are able to log onto a WiFi network you may be able to make calls when outside mobile range - working out how to pay may be an issue but I assume that is a covered by the owner of the WiFi network - may very well be turned off - I dont know.

Cheers

garry
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 11:42

Sunday, Sep 02, 2018 at 11:42
Garry.

As to the charges there will be 2 charges.

The Wifi Charges, these will be the same as using the WiFI for data. It could be free, a fee based system like a caravan park, or your monthly internet bill.

Then there is the cost of a call. This will appear on your phone bill like any other phone call.

So if for example, you have an unlimited call plan and connect via a free hotspot, there would be no additional cost for a wifi call. If you normally pay say 20c per minute for calls and use a free hot spot, then you would still pay 20c per min over wifi.It will appear on your bill like normal.

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Reply By: Member - David M (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 09:21

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 09:21
I'm appalled at the lack of mobile coverage,and therefore Twitter, for our intrepid
Outback Travellers. Surely this is a safety issue. :)
Dave.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 09:41

Wednesday, Aug 22, 2018 at 09:41
Yes, it must cause immeasurable stress & suffering being unable to tweet or post pictures of your last meal on Facebook!
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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 12:00

Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 12:00
Hey, I was crushed when I arrived in Marree, but couldn't post a celebratory pic of myself next to the sign at the end of the B'ville track! LOL

Of course, even if I had mobile service, it still would have been tricky because the sign was knocked down. :-P

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Follow Up By: Member - David M (SA) - Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 17:11

Friday, Aug 31, 2018 at 17:11
Know the feeling Candace. If you can't post a selfie at these places when you get there it all seems like a waste of time doesn't it.
Dave.
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Reply By: Member - DOZER - Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 20:50

Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 20:50
Aldi is useless outside of metro / main towns, nothing in Birdsville, only Alice, and highway 1. My friends wife has a dual sim phone, with Telstra/optus and a third Vodaphone in the pouch. Its amazing where she can pick up coverage with optus and no Telstra, or Vodaphone but no optus….
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Reply By: Member - DOZER - Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 20:51

Saturday, Sep 01, 2018 at 20:51
PS, you cant beat aldi 12 month plans, $250 for 66 gig/ unlimited calls/sms
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