The conflict in the Middle East is a difficult topic, but if you know someone there, also one that is heartbreaking, too. Countries in the midst of a war, and civilians largely cut off from the world.
Since January, authorities in Iran have imposed a nationwide internet blackout, and that’s a problem if you’re used to emailing or sending messages on WhatsApp.
While an eSIM might provide some access, as might a Starlink terminal if you can find one, the simple fact of the matter is reaching friends and family without internet access isn’t easy.
It might simply leave you with phone calls and texts, an option that can often leave you with international call costs, a harsh exchange rate, and little recourse except to do it, paying for it later. This is normally the territory of international call costs, an area that can rack up costs very quickly.
This week on a segment with ABC Melbourne Drive for March 10 (around the 1 hour 37 minute mark), one such caller expressed frustration, and wondered just what they could do.
After a little research, there might be an answer, but it might involve buying a prepaid service or switching to a telco.
Optus and Vodafone to the rescue
Both Optus and Vodafone have support information covering the turmoil in the Middle East, noting that calls and texts from Australian customers to numbers in countries in that part of the world will be free, with roaming fees also waived for some carriers.
For Vodafone (and other carriers owned by TPG Telecom), that appears to include free standard international voice calls from Australia to destinations in the middle east, with calls from these destinations able to call Australian numbers without charge, at least on postpaid.
Prepaid Vodafone customers can also make standard voice calls and standard texts from Australian mobiles to the Middle East, with both types of plans covering:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia, and
- United Arab Emirates.
However, roaming isn’t available for Vodafone customers in Iran and Kuwait (at the time this article was published).
Optus has taken a similar approach, opting to credit calling and SMS charges on postpaid, while prepaid customers to the following countries will have voice calls:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia, and
- United Arab Emirates.
Roaming chargers will be credited on postpaid for consumer and business accounts in the region, though access may be restricted given the situation.
Can you just switch?
If you’re not an Optus or Vodafone customer — or even a customer of a smaller operator that also offers this level of support, such as Amaysim — you can probably consider the prepaid options for calls and some texts, but there are other options.
For instance, you could temporarily acquire a new service by getting a brand new SIM.
Alternatively, you could switch to a carrier for the moment, and then decide to stay later on following the situation overseas.
Both major carriers have noted the access to free calls will be available “until the offer is withdrawn”, which could make a switch to another carrier a logical choice.
