That’s the startling conclusion from a new survey by Optus carried out with more than 1,000 Australians aged 18 to 54 who have travelled internationally in the past two years.
With over half (51%) of Aussies planning to travel internationally in the next 12 months, staying connected without worrying about surprise costs is top of mind for many.
While options like eSIMs are growing in popularity, many travellers find it confusing to set up, worry about losing access to their number, or simply want something easier.
In fact, nine in 10 Aussies say they’d prefer to use roaming if their provider offered a more convenient and reliable solution.
“Travel should be about creating memories, not stressing over your phone bill,” said Anthony Shiner, Chief Customer Officer, Consumer at Optus.
“We know Aussies want to feel confident they can stay connected without the nasty surprise of a big bill when they return home. That’s exactly why we’re focused on making staying connected overseas simple, affordable and stress-free.”
Optus’ top tips to avoid surprise charges overseas:
- Don’t rely on public Wi-Fi: While half of Aussie travellers use public Wi-Fi abroad, two in three report concerns about privacy and security. Using roaming solutions helps keep personal information safer and connections more reliable.
- Choose predictable daily roaming options: To give customers simple, fixed cost peace of mind, Optus offers Daily Roaming from just $5 a day with 5GB of data included in more than 150 destinations worldwide on eligible plans. If more data is needed, another 5GB pack is automatically applied for $5, valid for another 24 hours. Users are also notified via text message when they’re nearing their data limit and can easily track their usage in real time via My Optus app.
- Download key apps before you go: To save on data and stay prepared, download essentials like maps, language translation tools and boarding passes while still on home Wi-Fi. Offline access can be a lifesaver when you land.
- Stay connected in the air: With Optus’ in-flight roaming through AeroMobile, customers on eligible plans can use their $5 Daily Roaming pack to access data from 20,000 feet on 19 major airlines including Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.
- Skip the SIM swap hassle: Swapping SIMs or setting up a travel eSIM can be confusing and time-consuming. With Optus, Daily Roaming is automatically activated on eligible plans, so there’s no need to swap SIMs or manage multiple accounts while travelling.
“Whether you’re navigating the streets of Rome, sharing snaps from Santorini, or staying connected mid-flight, knowing your roaming options can help you stay in control and avoid bill shock, so you can focus on enjoying your trip,” Mr Shiner added.
optus.com.au/international-roaming
