Lexi Webster
If you're moving to Australia, you may want to keep your Indian SIM card active to stay connected with your contacts back home, continue receiving OTPs and bank messages, or avoid the hassle of getting a new number. To do this, you'll need to ensure your Indian SIM card is set up for international roaming. This feature allows you to use your Indian number in Australia without any disruptions. Airtel, for instance, offers International Roaming packs that can be activated through their website, WhatsApp, or SMS. With these packs, you can use your Airtel Indian number in Australia and make the most of your trip or new stay abroad while staying connected with your life back home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to keep an Indian SIM active in Australia | Activate international roaming on your Indian SIM card |
| Use a roaming plan to convert your regular SIM to an overseas SIM card | |
| Recharge your prepaid SIM card every six months and make one outgoing call every three months | |
| Use a local SIM card with an Australian number for receiving SMS |
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What You'll Learn
Activate international roaming on your Indian SIM card
If you're travelling from India to Australia and want to keep your Indian SIM card active, you'll need to activate international roaming on your mobile plan. Here are the steps and considerations to keep in mind:
Check with Your Carrier:
Different carriers have varying policies and plans for international roaming. Contact your Indian mobile service provider and inquire about their specific international roaming options and rates for Australia. Some carriers may offer prepaid or postpaid international roaming plans, while others may require you to activate a specific roaming pack.
Activate International Roaming:
Once you've understood the options provided by your carrier, proceed to activate international roaming on your Indian SIM card. This can often be done by contacting your carrier's customer support or following their instructions online. For example, Airtel users can activate their IR service by sending an SMS with the text "IRSTART" to 121 or by reaching out via WhatsApp to 99100-99100.
Understand Plan Details:
International roaming plans can vary in terms of inclusions and costs. Ensure you understand the rates for calls, SMS, and data usage while in Australia. Some plans may offer unlimited incoming SMS, while others may charge for each message received. Additionally, check if there are any data caps or restrictions on data speeds.
Maintain Validity:
To keep your Indian SIM card active, ensure that it remains valid throughout your stay in Australia. For prepaid plans, this may involve doing a validity recharge at regular intervals, such as every month or every 90 days, depending on the plan's validity period. Check with your carrier to understand the specific requirements to maintain your SIM card's validity.
Consider a Local SIM for Heavy Usage:
If you anticipate high usage of calls, SMS, or data while in Australia, consider purchasing a local Australian SIM card. International roaming charges can accumulate quickly, and a local SIM might offer more competitive rates for usage within the country. However, this option would mean using a different phone number during your stay in Australia.
By following these steps and staying mindful of your usage patterns, you can successfully activate and maintain your Indian SIM card's activity while in Australia, allowing you to stay connected and access important services like banking during your travels.
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Opt for an international roaming pack
If you're planning to travel from India to Australia and want to keep your Indian SIM card active, opting for an international roaming pack is a great option. Here are some benefits and things to consider when choosing this option:
Benefits of International Roaming Packs:
International roaming allows you to use your Indian phone number seamlessly in Australia for calls, texts, and data access. This means you can stay connected with your loved ones back home without the hassle of switching to a local SIM card. With an international roaming pack, you can also continue to receive important OTPs, bank messages, and account updates on your Indian number while abroad. This ensures that you don't miss out on any critical information during your trip.
Choosing the Right Roaming Pack:
When selecting an international roaming pack, consider your specific needs and usage requirements. Major Indian telecom providers like Jio and Airtel offer a range of international roaming plans tailored to different destinations, including Australia. These plans vary in terms of voice calls, texts, and data allowances, so choose one that suits your expected usage patterns. Remember to review the plan details carefully, as roaming charges can add up quickly, especially for data usage.
Activating Your Roaming Pack:
To activate your international roaming pack, follow the instructions provided by your Indian telecom provider. For example, with Jio, you can activate international roaming through the MyJio app or by following the steps on their website. For Airtel, you can send an SMS to a designated number or reach out to their customer support via WhatsApp to activate your roaming services.
In-flight Connectivity:
Some telecom providers, like Jio, offer in-flight connectivity packs, allowing you to stay connected even while travelling at 30,000 feet. These packs provide internet access, outgoing calls, and SMS services during your flight to Australia. Remember to check that your chosen pack covers your airline and route before purchasing.
Device Compatibility:
According to Australian regulations, ensure that your device supports emergency calls to Triple Zero (000) over 4G if you plan to use a 4G VoLTE device. This is a requirement for connecting to any network in Australia.
By opting for an international roaming pack, you can keep your Indian SIM card active in Australia, ensuring seamless connectivity and the convenience of using your familiar Indian phone number during your travels.
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Ensure your SIM card doesn't expire
To ensure your Indian SIM card doesn't expire when you're in Australia, you should activate an international roaming plan with your provider. Airtel, for example, offers an International Roaming pack that allows you to use your Indian number abroad without any hassles. With this plan, you can receive calls, use mobile data, and receive OTPs and bank messages.
If you're an Airtel postpaid customer, you will only be charged when you use their services, such as making calls or using mobile data. However, if you're a prepaid customer, you will need to ensure you have enough recharge balance on your SIM card before leaving India to continue using Airtel's services.
To keep your Airtel SIM active, it is recommended to do a validity recharge every month or whenever the validity ends. Even a minimum recharge will work, as long as it has a validity period. This will ensure that your SIM card doesn't expire due to inactivity or lack of balance.
Additionally, some carriers may require you to send an SMS or make a call every few months to keep your SIM card active. For example, one carrier suggests making one outgoing call or sending one SMS every three months to maintain your SIM card's activity. Therefore, it is important to check with your carrier about any specific requirements to keep your SIM card active while in Australia.
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Maintain a recharge balance for prepaid SIMs
If you are a prepaid customer, you will need to maintain a recharge balance on your SIM card before leaving India to continue using services like calls and mobile data abroad.
To keep your Indian prepaid SIM active in Australia, it is recommended to do a validity recharge every month or whenever the validity ends. Opt for a recharge that has a validity period, and the minimum ones will work just fine. For instance, a recharge with a validity of 30 days will allow you to receive OTPs without needing to purchase a data pack.
Additionally, some carriers may require you to make an outgoing SMS or call every three months to keep your SIM active. This requirement varies from carrier to carrier, so it is advisable to check with your service provider.
It is important to note that while some countries allow free incoming SMS while roaming, this may not be the case in Australia. To avoid unexpected charges, it is recommended to activate an international roaming plan or check with your carrier about any specific requirements to maintain your SIM's activity while abroad.
By maintaining a sufficient recharge balance and adhering to any carrier-specific requirements, you can ensure that your Indian prepaid SIM remains active during your stay in Australia.
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Use a local SIM for banking
If you're travelling from India to Australia, you may want to keep your Indian SIM active during your trip. This is especially important if you need to continue receiving bank account-related messages or one-time passwords (OTPs) on your registered mobile number.
To do this, you must activate an international roaming pack with your Indian mobile operator. Airtel, for example, offers an International Roaming plan that allows you to use your Indian number abroad without any hassles. With this plan, you can receive calls, use mobile data, and get OTPs and bank messages while in Australia.
However, using international roaming can be costly, and you may prefer to switch to a local SIM card when you arrive in Australia. This can be a good option if you plan to make a lot of local calls or consume a lot of data during your trip.
If you do switch to a local SIM, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you can still access your banking information:
- Check with your bank: Reach out to your bank to find out if they support foreign SIM cards. Some banking apps may require you to have a local phone number, while others may only work with a specific country's phone number.
- Dual SIM capability: If your phone has dual SIM capability, you can keep your Indian SIM card in one slot and use a local Australian SIM card in the other. This way, you can continue receiving SMS or OTPs on your Indian number while using the local SIM for data and calls.
- ESIM options: If your phone supports eSIMs, you can download an Australian eSIM and keep your physical Indian SIM card. This option provides convenience, and you can find eSIMs that cover multiple destinations or specific countries like Australia.
- Banking app setup: Smartphone apps usually function independently of the SIM card after the initial setup. So, as long as you have already set up your banking app with your Indian number, it should continue to work even with a local Australian SIM.
- Wi-Fi connection: Banking apps use data, so as long as you have Wi-Fi access, you may not even need a local SIM card to use your banking app. However, this option may not work if your bank requires two-factor authentication via text message.
In conclusion, while keeping your Indian SIM active in Australia is possible through international roaming, switching to a local Australian SIM card can be a more cost-effective option. By considering the tips mentioned above, you can ensure that you still have access to your banking information while enjoying the benefits of a local SIM during your stay in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
You can keep your Indian SIM card active in Australia by activating an International Roaming pack. This will allow you to use your Indian number abroad without any issues.
Activating an International Roaming pack will allow you to make calls, use mobile data, and receive OTPs and bank messages while in Australia.
To activate an International Roaming pack, you can contact your service provider or follow their instructions online. For example, Airtel customers can send an SMS to 121 with the text IRSTART to activate the IR service.
Yes, some people suggest using a prepaid SIM card and making a top-up every six months, along with sending an outgoing SMS or call every three months. However, this may vary depending on the carrier, and you may need to reactivate your SIM card if it expires.
