Hi, I am looking for advice on what mobile phone plan would be the cheapest to keep my New Zealand phone number whilst I am living overseas indefinitely. E.g. in Australia I had Amaysim (but there are various others) which requires you to recharge at $10 per 365 days which is a no-brainer. I could even receive text messages whilst in New Zealand if required, for free. Wondering if anyone knows of a New Zealand equivalent?
Best Mobile Phone Plan to Keep Number Whilst Living Overseas Indefinitely
Lmelodrake on 06/12/2022 - 12:25
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Vodafone a.k.a. One NZ says min. $20 but have been topping up for $10 p.a. for years with no issues (but could be I'm on an older discontinued plan I dunno) And also could be I'm topping up via app and no thru website.
I could be wrong, but I believe that pretty much all of them keep the number alive as long as you top up at least once a year.
I think the minimum top up for 2Degrees and / or Skinny are $5.00 so one of them might be the best option.
2degrees minimum top up is $10
Darn - Pretty sure it was originally any amount at all (or maybe $1), then $5, so maybe they've upped it to $10.
Skinny was $5 last time I checked, which was a few months ago.
I kept my 2 degrees going for ten years while living in Aus, one top up a year.
The warehouse mobile number - top up once a yr $5.
you can also bring ur current number to them so u don't lose ur current number.
How long does a Top up last?
Credit has an expiry of 365 days, if you top up again within 365 days any unused credit will extend. Our top ups start from $5.Definitely the case for 2Degrees and Skinny - no idea about the others.
This was taken from Warehouse Mobile website. Had a quick look at 2Degrees and Skinny website, couldn't find such information.
@Nythic: As above, 2Degrees may have now changed to $10 minimum, but Skinny was $5 last time I tried with them a few months ago.
However, you don't lose the top up amount - as long as you keep it active (topping up at least once a year), your credit will stay available.
$5 last a year. and you would get a reminder msg to top up again if you want to roll over the existing credit. I know in the past my credit got wiped out cos' I got wrong with expiry date.
Skinny I think is the cheapest
2degrees is the best, 10 topup and support wifi calling
Second this. 2 degrees wifi-calling works perfect for receiving SMS ( bank OTPs) even when you are not connected to cell phone towers when roaming. You have to be on a plan (either monthly or 14 day prepaid plan) to connect to cell phone towers /roam overseas.
If you turn off mobile data while overseas, and connect to WiFi (with internet access) do you get your SMS messages come through?
If so, do you pay for them (as overseas) or is it irrelevant since you are collecting them over the net?
I placed my mobile on airplane mode to be on the safer side with just wifi on. 2 degress wifi calling worked and I received SMS with no charge deduction.
Vodafone's Pay & Go should do the work - link
$20 annually keeps your number active and gives you access to Vodafone Rewards as well.