General Information » Essential Info » Telephone & Internet

There are 4,000 public payphones in Sydney that accept coins or phone cards. Local calls cost 40 cents for unlimited talk time. Long distance (or STD) calls within Australia are charged at a higher rate determined by the day and time. International calls can be dialed directly using the prefix 0011 then the number, including country code.

Calls from a standard fixed telephone service to a mobile are charged a connection fee, with rates depending on the time of day and the mobile carrier. There are also blue payphones that are privately managed by small businesses. These only accept Australian coins.

International calling cards are the most convenient and cheapest way to phone home. Phone cards range in value from $5 to $50. You will find them at newsagents, kiosks or anywhere that displays the Telstra logo. Shop around for the best deal. Within Australia, telephone numbers beginning with 1800 are free, and those beginning with 13 are charged at the local rate.



xxx L 4 xxx Internet

Sydney has plenty of places to hook up to the net. Many public libraries offer free internet use, though you may need to be a member. Internet cafes are found all over the city with rates from around $3 per hour. Wireless access is available at the airport. You can access the Sydney Airport website (www.sydneyairport.com.au) and sign up for an account there if your ISP has a roaming agreement with one of the airport’s providers.

If you are in The Rocks area, you can access free Wi-Fi internet for 30 minutes. You can connect with 802.IIb or Wi-Fi technology and other handheld devices based on wireless LAN technology. For more info, call 9017 6399 or visit www.therocks.com/freewifi.

The state government plans to introduce free Wi-Fi broadband to the CBDs of key cities in New South Wales within the next three years. Public Networks Australia (PubNet) operates free wireless hotspots at limited locations in Sydney. Visit www.public.net.au.



xxx L 4 xxx Mobile Phones

Sydneysiders have taken to mobile phones in a big way. Australia runs GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA and 3G networks. GSM is provided by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, while CDMA services are provided by Telstra, Orange, AAPT, Optus and Virgin Mobile. Coverage is generally good, especially in urban areas. CDMA services cover more remote areas. See p.112 for more.

A prepaid SIM card is probably the best option for new arrivals as international roaming can get very expensive. The SIM card, used in a GSM mobile phone, will give you a local mobile number and you will pay local rates without a contract. Incoming calls are then free. You can credit extra airtime ...