As a globetrotting retail and consumer expert, I know that for many travelers, the thought of being disconnected in a foreign land can be daunting. If you‘re a Verizon customer planning to visit Australia, you might be wondering: will my trusty smartphone still be by my side, or will I be left high and dry in the Outback? Fear not, intrepid explorer – I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to using Verizon in Australia, so you can navigate your Aussie adventure with confidence.
The Lowdown on Verizon Down Under
First things first: yes, Verizon does work in Australia…for the most part. As one of the largest mobile carriers in the U.S., Verizon has established roaming agreements with top Australian providers like Telstra and Optus to keep you connected across the continent. However, the quality of your coverage will depend on a few key factors:
Device Compatibility
To access Australian networks, your Verizon phone must be globally enabled and support the cellular technologies used down under. Australia primarily relies on GSM networks for 2G/3G service and 1800 MHz LTE bands (3, 7 and 28) for 4G. Most newer Verizon smartphones – including iPhone models 8 and up, Samsung Galaxy S7 and later, and Google Pixel devices – have the necessary GSM and LTE radios to work abroad.
However, Verizon‘s legacy CDMA network, which some older devices are limited to, is not supported in Australia. To check your phone‘s compatibility, refer to Verizon‘s global device page or contact customer support.
Coverage Varies by Region
While Verizon partners with leading Aussie telcos, your service may be spotty outside major metro areas. OpenSignal‘s February 2019 report on Australia‘s mobile network experience offers insight into what Verizon customers can expect:
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Urban areas: In cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Verizon users can tap into Telstra and Optus‘ robust 4G networks, with average download speeds of 40-50 Mbps. That‘s more than enough to stream a few Outback Steakhouse commercials on YouTube.
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Regional towns: Verizon coverage in rural population centers is serviceable but may lean more on 3G than LTE. OpenSignal clocked average 4G availability at 88.4% across all networks nationwide.
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The Outback: Once you venture into Australia‘s rugged interior, all bets are off. Telstra is the only carrier that purports to cover remote regions like the Nullarbor Plain and Kimberley, but even then, you‘re likely looking at 2G speeds and vast 4G dead zones.
For a snapshot of Verizon‘s Aussie coverage, check out their international travel map.
Verizon‘s Roaming Rates Aren‘t Cheap
If you opt to pay Verizon‘s standard international roaming rates in Australia, be prepared for some sticker shock. Voice calls clock in at $2.99/minute, texts at $0.50 a pop, and data will run you a whopping $2.05 per megabyte. At those prices, streaming a few minutes of Outback Steakhouse commercials could cost you more than an actual Bloomin‘ Onion.
To put Verizon‘s pay-per-use pricing in perspective, here‘s how it stacks up against other major U.S. carriers for roaming in Australia:
| Carrier | Voice (per min) | Text (per SMS) | Data (per MB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $2.99 | $0.50 | $2.05 |
| AT&T | $3.00 | $0.50 | $2.05 |
| T-Mobile | $3.00 | $0.50 | $15.00 |
| Sprint | $3.00 | $0.50 | $10.00 |
Rates as of March 2023. Sources: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
As you can see, Verizon is right in line with other big guns for voice and text – but their data rate is among the most affordable. Still, at over $2,000 per gigabyte, you‘re better off seeking out more cost-effective solutions.
Controlling Costs with Verizon International Plans
To keep your bill in check while abroad, you‘ll want to enroll in one of Verizon‘s international roaming plans:
TravelPass
For most Verizon customers visiting Australia, TravelPass is the way to go. This option lets you tap into your domestic talk, text and data allowances for a flat daily fee of $10 per line. You‘re only charged on days you use your device abroad, and calls back to the U.S. are included.
One heads up: even accidental usage, like a typo text or background app refresh, will trigger the $10 daily charge on TravelPass. To avoid unintended fees, keep your phone in airplane mode when you‘re not using it and rely on Wi-Fi wherever possible.
Monthly Plans
For longer stays or frequent flyers, Verizon‘s monthly international plans can be more economical than paying a la carte with TravelPass:
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World Select: For a recurring $5/month per line, World Select knocks voice rates for Australia down to $1.79/minute – a 40% discount over pay-per-use. Texts are still $0.50 each way, and data remains pricey at $0.25/MB though.
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World Connect: This $40/month plan slashes per-minute pricing even further to $0.99 for Aussie voice calls. Data rates are the same as World Select, but you do get a $25 allowance for international texting and calling that renews each month.
Data Packs
If you anticipate needing a set amount of data for your trip, consider adding a global data package to your account. Verizon‘s 100 MB, 250 MB and 500 MB bundles start at $25/month and offer slightly more palatable per-megabyte pricing compared to pay-as-you-go.
Ultimately, your best bet will depend on the length of your stay and your typical usage patterns. For most travelers, TravelPass is the simplest way to stay connected without having to count every call and kilobyte.
Helpful Tips for Verizon Customers Visiting Australia
To make the most of your mobile experience down under, keep these tips top of mind:
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Reset your voicemail. Before you jet off, update your greeting with instructions for callers on the time difference and your availability. Retrieving voicemails from abroad can be pricey, so it‘s best to minimize unnecessary messages.
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Activate Wi-Fi Calling. With this handy feature, your Verizon phone can make and receive calls and texts over Wi-Fi networks instead of the cellular grid. It‘s a great way to conserve your plan minutes and data when connected to wireless. Just remember that Wi-Fi calls to Australian numbers are still billed at international rates.
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Download essential apps ahead of time. Planning tools like TripAdvisor, Google Translate and XE Currency are indispensable for international jaunts. Be sure to download them, along with any offline maps or entertainment, before departure to avoid chewing through data on day one.
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Consider a local SIM for extended stays. If you‘ll be in Australia for more than a few weeks, it may be more cost-effective to pause your Verizon service and temporarily switch to a local prepaid SIM. Telstra offers affordable starter packs for visitors, with nationwide 4G coverage on par with what you‘d get roaming.
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Leave your Verizon tablet behind. Bringing a Wi-Fi only iPad or Android tablet? It won‘t be eligible for TravelPass or reduced global rates unless it has an active Verizon SIM. Stick to using it on wireless to avoid a nasty bill for pay-per-use data.
Evaluating the Alternatives
Understandably, some travelers may balk at Verizon‘s international rates, even with a discount plan. If you‘re seeking more flexibility or savings, consider these options:
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Unlock your Verizon phone and use a global SIM. Brands like OneSimCard and KnowRoaming offer prepaid international SIMs that work in hundreds of countries, often with more competitive rates than major carriers. Just be sure your Verizon device is carrier unlocked first.
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Try an eSIM data plan. If your phone supports eSIM technology (like newer iPhones and Galaxies), you can digitally download a prepaid data plan for Australia right to your device. Apps like Airalo and Truphone offer eSIM plans with generous high-speed data allotments for a fraction of Verizon‘s roaming costs.
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Rent or buy a mobile hotspot. For the ultimate flexibility, pack a portable Wi-Fi hotspot to keep all your devices connected abroad. Companies like Skyroam and Tep Wireless rent and sell hotspots with unlimited global data plans that can be more economical for multi-device households.
The Bottom Line for Verizon Customers Bound for Australia
When it comes to staying connected down under, Verizon customers have options. While the carrier‘s pay-as-you-go roaming rates are undeniably steep, discount plans like TravelPass can help keep costs manageable for most travelers. Just be mindful of your usage, stick to Wi-Fi when you can, and consider alternatives like local SIMs or eSIMs if you need more generous data allotments.
At the end of the day, Verizon‘s partnership with Australia‘s leading telcos means you can expect solid coverage and speeds across the country‘s urban centers and tourist hubs. So go ahead and share a selfie from the Sydney Opera House, FaceTime your folks from Federation Square, or stream a video from Bondi Beach – with a bit of know-how, your Verizon phone will keep you connected to the folks back home throughout your Aussie odyssey. G‘day and bon voyage!
