Thursday 26 October 2023 - Vodafone is bringing its game-changing $5 international roaming to the skies, allowing customers to enjoy in-flight connectivity 20,000 feet above the ground for the first time.
The new in-flight roaming service can be accessed for just $5 per day, enabling Vodafone postpaid customers to talk, text, browse the internet, and stream in standard definition when travelling internationally on selected airlines.
"We have customers joining Vodafone every day who are sick of the great roaming rip off. Whether you're in another country or on your way there, Vodafone is working hard to help you stay connected and save money," said Kieren Cooney, Vodafone Group Executive, Consumer.
"For a flat fee of only $5 per day, customers can use their device to stay in touch with loved ones, share their travel selfies, and even get some work done, all while cruising above the clouds. Best of all, customers won't have to worry about any hidden costs or bill shock when they arrive home."
In-flight roaming allows customers with an eligible phone, tablet or mobile broadband plan to use their included data, calls and text on selected flights and aircraft with participating international airlines including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines. The service is simple to use and delivers 3G-like download and upload speeds on most flights via satellite technology.
The new in-flight roaming uses satellite technology to enable passengers to safely use their mobile phones on connected aircraft. Eligible customers will need to put their device into Airplane mode until after take-off. Once the pilot has turned off the seatbelt sign, customers can then switch their device off Airplane mode to stream, email, browse, text and call just as if they were on the ground. If customers do not wish to use in-flight roaming, they can simply remain in Airplane mode or manage their roaming settings in the Vodafone app.
According to new data from Vodafone, Australians have a bad case of the travel bug with over one million jetsetters heading overseas in the last 12 months, a 31 per cent increase since 2022. The 10 top destinations customers visited in the last year include:
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom of Great Britan and Northern Ireland
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- United States of America
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Japan
The launch of in-flight roaming from Vodafone follows in the footsteps of the telco's market-leading $5 international roaming service which is available in more than 100 popular travel destinations.
For just $5 extra a day, Vodafone's Postpaid customers can use all their plan's normal inclusions - including unlimited standard talk and text, all their allocated max-speed data, and any included international call minutes - in over 100 selected countries.
"Vodafone's $5 roaming isn't just the best value in Australia; it has the greatest reach, extending across every continent and to the widest range of countries among all Australian telcos," Mr Cooney said.
