Hi everyone,

With the recent 3G shutdown in Australia, I’ve noticed that I’m no longer getting any active service on my Malaysian SIM. I’m using Tune Talk, and from what I’ve been told, unless I subscribe to a data roaming plan, I’m unable to get service here in Australia.

Previously, I could receive SMS (e.g., from banks) for free as long as my SIM was active, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Paying RM25 every 3 days just to receive SMS doesn’t seem feasible to me.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? What solutions are people using to get around this problem?

I’d really appreciate any tips, especially if there are alternatives that don’t require subscribing to a data roaming plan.

Thanks in advance!

Have you tried putting your sim into an Australian phone?

I have inserted the sim in a Pixel 7 as well which was purchased in Australia.

My Tune Talk works fine now but was a big buggy that it couldn't find a network before I did it. Followed the instructions here https://www.tunetalk.com/support/network-settings/ under Roaming (APN) Configuration

Got non pixel phone? Standard Samsung with 4g
And the roaming partner settings

I have seen this page, and have changed the APN to tunetalk and kept all other input as default but no difference. Still not getting any service.

Did you do the restart? For reference I'm using Telstra eSim and Tune physical SIM on my Samsung Flip6 worked for both me and my wife.

This post has been edited by Budgie Smuggler: Jan 13 2025, 08:46 PM

May I ask which local network do you connect to on Tune Talk's sim?

Access point name in my settings says Tune Talk Internet and network operator set to automatic so couldn't tell you tbh. I think its Telstra because whenever I turn my TuneTalk on I get all the SMSes saying Welcome to Australia etc and Roam with Telstra.

It does appear like my phone is the issue. Although it previously worked. Plugged in my sim to another phone and it seems to be working. I guess time to get a new phone. Thanks for both your input.

U need a pure 4G/5G phone. Under the network settings, if still have 2G or 3G, it won't work.

Basically new phone from 2023 will work. Anything older is ewaste.

Oh is that right, yes I had the sim in a OnePlus 7T Pro (2019?) phone.

Australian telco had banned a lot of smartphones especially those not officially sold in Australia after their shutdown of 3G service.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42103663