Forum Discussion

GrahamD_2857621's avatar
GrahamD_2857621
SMARTY Maverick
01-12-2024

No service in Austalia

Hi

I am in Oz with no service. I have purchased add-on and confirmed balance in app, changed mobile settings to mob.asm.net (as per iOS instructions), network selection is “auto” (I have tried manual selection of 3 options). There is known to be signal here. Data roaming is on. What to do?

18 Replies

  • ShaneOMZ's avatar
    ShaneOMZ
    SMARTY Maverick
    06-02-2025

    Unfortunately neither a PAYG local sim or an esim will work for 2FA, and that is the crux of the matter. If Smarty can't resolve the issue, then I will have to change my primary sim provider to one whose sims will successfully roam in Australia. Some institutions allow 2FA by email or Whatsapp, but not my bank, sadly!

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      07-02-2025

      ShaneOMZ  Sadly, if 2FA texts are important, I think that you will need to change if your travel to Australia with any frequency. The problem may be in finding which networks will definitely work.

      Does your bank not offer an app that will work with something like face recognition?

  • Eleanor_1694988's avatar
    Eleanor_1694988
    SMARTY Pioneer
    18-12-2024

    Im having the same issue now! Was fine and receiving texts on my English number until Saturday when data add-ons ran out. I’ve recharged and had no signal since, even after trying to switch to Vodafone. I’m at a loss, locked out of my UK bank, savings account, credit card - anything with 2FA enabled. Anything that’s worked?

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      18-12-2024

      Eleanor_1694988 If Vodafone won't work either, is it a general blanket ban on roaming or is it an issue with your phone? Can you perhaps get to a Vodafone shop to see if they can shed any light on this?

      • HaarisKh_574974's avatar
        HaarisKh_574974
        SMARTY Rookie
        28-01-2025

        After doing loads of reading across multiple forums. It's clear it's not a VOLTE issue with the phone as the gentlemans phone worked in one part of australia and then not another. Sydney have removed their 3g network. It's since this 3g network was removed that people are having an issue. If you travel someone where 3g still exists it may work. Your best bet is order a simcard to a relative or friend back home and having them complete your 2FA. 

  • JamieCl_1453005's avatar
    JamieCl_1453005
    SMARTY Pioneer
    15-12-2024

    I have the same issue:

    £15 add-on credit, changed network settings, and roaming is on. 
    I’ve tried manually connecting to all the networks in central Sydney. 
    I’ve reset everything and re-tried several times, restarting my phone etc. all I have is SOS.

    Any help appreciated 

     

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      15-12-2024

      JamieCl_1453005 There has recently been some posting regarding the Australian networks refusing service to phones that are not VoLTE compliant I believe. Could this be the cause?

      • JamieCl_1453005's avatar
        JamieCl_1453005
        SMARTY Pioneer
        15-12-2024

        Thanks for the suggestion. 
        I checked and VoLTE is switch on. I’m using a iPhone15. 
        if I can’t figure it, I’ll need to switch sim.

  • SmartyTrousers's avatar
    SmartyTrousers
    SMARTY Centurion
    02-12-2024

    The Australian mobile networks have brought in changes in the last few months (mandated by the government there) that mean they now block phones connecting to their networks if they aren't confident the device will be able to make emergency calls over 4G, including tourist phones.

    From what I've read, you may be able to get service if you manually select Vodafone in the network selection (instead of auto), but it's not guaranteed.

    Here's a video with more info.

    • GrahamD_2857621's avatar
      GrahamD_2857621
      SMARTY Maverick
      06-12-2024

       

       

      Thank you for the suggestion, however I am currently set (manually) to Vodaphone AU but it does not work.  A few days ago i was in the outback and Smaty sprang to life, but has since stopped - maybe time, maybe location; I have used 15p of my credit (3 texts). I was aware of the 3G removal issue but did not think it would apply to an iPhone 15. My wife's EE phone is working fine so it is not a lack of signal

      • MSF's avatar
        MSF
        SMARTY Guru
        06-12-2024

        GrahamD_2857621  That 15p figure is definitely strange because texts sent are charged at 20p each according to the Price Guide.

  • MSF's avatar
    MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    02-12-2024

    GrahamD_2857621  Not sure how much credit you put onto the account, but any data use would cost 10p per megabyte - that's £102.40 per Gigabyte and so could be swallowed up very quickly.

    Data usage on your account will always be a bit behind, so you need to check it again - preferably via website.

    If your phone is a relatively new model, consider an Esim from a company like Airalo (others also available) as this works out far, far cheaper.

    • GrahamD_2857621's avatar
      GrahamD_2857621
      SMARTY Maverick
      06-12-2024

      I am aware of the cost of calls/data.  When I try to use an alternative, set-up by by wifi, I try pay and my card provider wants to send a confirmation text to the phone number I cannot use.

      I managed to pay for the Smarty add-on by PayPal.

      I obtained a SIM from Coles, tried to set it up, it required an **Australian** credit/debit card.

      My Smarty sprang to life a few days ago, some days after the add-on was purchased, whilst I was in the outback.  Having returned to civilisation it no longer works.  My Smarty tells me I have used 15p (i.e. 3 texts) of my add-on.  Network selection shows 3 networks, none actually work.