Lexi Webster
Lebara Australia is an MVNO that offers prepaid mobile phone plans, including international call and SMS value. It is a subsidiary of Vodafone, which covers around 98.4% of Australians. Lebara has a 2.2 out of 5-star rating on ProductReview.com.au, with many customers reporting issues with payments, unauthorized charges, unexpected deductions, and poor customer service. However, some users have praised Lebara for its good value for money, especially for those looking for cheap international calling rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Customer service | Poor, long waiting times, unhelpful, rude, poorly trained |
| Value for money | Good for prepaid plans, international calls, and SMS |
| Network coverage | Decent, suitable for medium users |
| Ease of use | Difficult to port numbers, unclear plans and charges |
| Data packages | Good packages but finish quickly |
| Plan flexibility | Flexible plans, no lock-in contracts, 30-day prepaid plans available |
| Overall rating | Bad (1.5/5 on Trustpilot), 2.2/5 on ProductReview.com.au |
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What You'll Learn
Lebara's prepaid plans
Lebara has a range of prepaid plans for phones, tablets, and modems, with no lock-in contracts. The company offers both 30-day and long-term prepaid plans, with the flexibility to suit different usage, preferences, and lifestyles.
30-Day Prepaid Plans
Lebara's 30-day prepaid plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data inclusions, and international call inclusions. The Extra-Small plan is suitable for those who don't use much data but still offers a decent amount of international calling to five select countries. The Small and Medium plans include more data and a broader range of countries for international calls. The Large and Extra-Large plans come with larger data inclusions and more international call minutes to a wider range of countries.
Long-Term Prepaid Plans
Lebara's long-term prepaid plans also include unlimited MMS and international call value. While the 30-day Extra Small plan has a cap on minutes, the other long-term plans offer unlimited calls to select countries, with the price reflecting the range of countries included. These plans are ideal for those who want to pay more upfront for bigger savings in the long run.
Recharging Options
Lebara provides various recharging options, including online through their portal or app, and at over 10,000 retailers across Australia, such as Coles, Woolworths, Big W, and Australia Post. Customers can also sign up for auto-recharges, which will automatically debit their bank account or card.
Customer Service
Lebara's customer service has received mixed reviews. While some appreciate the convenience of the Lebara app for managing their accounts and recharging, others have reported long waiting times and difficulties in resolving issues.
International Calling
Lebara is well-known for its competitive international calling rates, making it a good choice for those seeking a cheap phone plan with standard international calling included.
Network Coverage
As a subsidiary of Vodafone, Lebara's network coverage is similar, currently covering approximately 96%-98.4% of the population in Australia, with a focus on expanding and improving services, especially in regional areas.
Value for Money
Lebara offers good value for money, especially for those seeking prepaid mobile phone plans with international call and SMS inclusions. The company provides flexibility and a range of options to suit different budgets and usage needs.
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International call and SMS value
Lebara is a good choice for users seeking a cheap phone provider with international calling capabilities. The company has established itself as a provider of low-cost international call and SMS services, particularly beneficial for those with friends and family overseas or those travelling in Australia.
Lebara offers a range of flexible prepaid plans for phones, tablets, and modems, with no lock-in contracts. Its 30-day prepaid plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data inclusions, and international call value. The Extra-Small plan is suitable for those who aren't heavy data users, while the Small and Medium plans offer more data and a broader range of countries for international calls. The Large and Extra-Large plans provide even larger data allowances and more international call minutes to a wider range of countries.
Lebara's international calling rates are highly competitive, and it is one of the cheapest mobile phone providers in Australia. This is because Lebara operates in numerous countries, allowing them to leverage their network access to offer affordable rates to various international calling destinations.
However, it is important to note that Lebara has received mixed reviews regarding its customer service and other issues. Some customers have reported unauthorized charges, unexpected deductions, and difficulties in resolving their problems. Therefore, while Lebara offers excellent international call and SMS value, prospective customers should also consider the potential drawbacks and compare Lebara's offerings with other providers in the market.
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Customer service
Lebara Australia offers customer service via a phone line, email, and an app. However, many customers have reported negative experiences with Lebara's customer service.
Some customers have reported issues with payments, including unauthorized charges and unexpected deductions. They have also highlighted the difficulty in obtaining solutions to their problems, even after contacting customer service. Customers have expressed frustration with the staff, describing them as unhelpful, rude, and poorly trained. There are also reports of staff providing incorrect information or failing to address concerns effectively. As a result, some customers feel that their issues are being ignored or unresolved, leading to a sense of being scammed or mistreated.
In addition to payment issues, customers have also reported problems with the Lebara app, SIM cards, and network coverage. Some have experienced constant call dropouts, poor coverage, and issues with internet connectivity. There are also complaints about long waiting times for customer support and a lack of knowledge or experience among the staff to address technical issues.
On the other hand, some customers have found Lebara's customer service to be satisfactory for metro areas and the price-to-service ratio. Lebara also offers a range of flexible plans with no lock-in contracts, and it is easy to transfer numbers from other providers to Lebara.
While Lebara provides various options for customers to reach out for support, the effectiveness of their customer service appears to be mixed, with a significant number of negative reviews indicating potential widespread issues.
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Lebara app
Lebara's mobile app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store. The app allows users to activate their service, check usage, manage their plans, and recharge their services. Users can also purchase add-ons or international roaming packs and update their account details.
The app is free to download, but download charges may apply from the Google Play Store or App Store. Non-Lebara customers can download the app, but data charges may apply as per their plan rate.
Reviews of the Lebara app are mixed. Some users report issues with unauthorized charges, unexpected deductions, and difficulty obtaining solutions to their problems. Others praise the convenience of the app, allowing them to manage their Lebara services easily.
- One user reported issues with porting their number to Lebara, stating that they were allocated a random phone number without prior notice. They also mentioned problems with call barring and mobile data, which caused inconvenience.
- Another user praised the app for its simplicity, stating that it made it easy to activate their service and keep track of their usage and account details.
- A different user expressed frustration with the app, claiming that it lacked the option to order 180-day deals as an e-sim and that they were charged twice for their plan when activating it through the app.
It is worth noting that Lebara has an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, indicating that many customers have had negative experiences with the company's services, including issues with the app and customer support.
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Network coverage
Lebara Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that has been in Australia since 2009. It runs on the Vodafone network and offers a range of flexible prepaid plans for phones, tablets, and modems, with no lock-in contracts. Lebara has made a name for itself for offering good value for money, especially for travellers and expats, with its generous international call inclusions.
Lebara's network coverage is said to be decent, covering approximately 96% of the population in Australia, including metropolitan areas. However, some users have reported issues with regional and country use, as well as unexpected charges and poor customer service.
Lebara offers a variety of 30-day prepaid plans, including the Extra-Small plan, which is suitable for those who are not big data users, to the XXL mobile phone plan, which offers up to 130GB of data. The 30-day prepaid plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data inclusions, and some international call inclusion. Lebara also offers long-term prepaid plans, which include unlimited MMS and more generous international call inclusions.
In addition to its prepaid plans, Lebara also provides data, call, and roaming add-ons. Customers can purchase recharge vouchers at more than 10,000 outlets across Australia, including major retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Big W, and Australia Post. Lebara also offers auto-recharge options, where customers can save 10% on Small 30-day and above Prepaid Recharges.
While Lebara may offer good value for money, particularly for international callers, prospective customers should be aware of the reported issues with customer service and unexpected charges.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lebara is good for international calls and SMS in Australia. Lebara offers a range of flexible plans with no lock-in contracts, allowing users to choose a prepaid plan that suits their usage, preferences, and budget. The company claims to have the same mobile coverage as Vodafone, covering approximately 96% of the population in Australia.
Lebara has a range of prepaid plans for phones, tablets, and modems, with data, call, and roaming add-ons. Their 30-day prepaid plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data inclusions, and some international call inclusions. They also offer long-term prepaid plans with unlimited MMS and more comprehensive international call packages.
Lebara has mixed reviews in Australia. On Trustpilot, the company has a rating of 1.5/5 stars, with many customers reporting issues with payments, unauthorized charges, unexpected deductions, and poor customer service. On ProductReview.com.au, Lebara Mobile has a rating of 2.2/5 stars, with some users complaining about unexpected charges, poor customer service, and issues with porting their phone numbers. However, some customers have praised Lebara for its value for money, especially for international calls and SMS.
Alternatives to Lebara in Australia include Optus, Boost Mobile, and Amaysim, which all offer unlimited international calling plans starting at $30. Other alternatives include Kogan, Aldi, and Coles, which offer similar data packages at competitive prices.
You can recharge your Lebara prepaid plan online through their recharge portal, via the Lebara app, or by purchasing a recharge voucher from one of the 10,000+ retailers across Australia, including Coles, Woolworths, Australia Post, and Big W. You can also sign up for auto-recharges, which will automatically debit your bank account or card.
