University of Tasmania, Australia

The costs associated with International Data roaming are excessive.
ITS discourages the use of Mobile Data services while travelling overseas.
UTAS Staff are responsible for their UTAS Mobile Data Services usage costs.

If you are intending to travel internationally please be aware that UTas data plans for mobile phones, 3G tablets such as iPads and wireless broadband modems are national (Australia-wide) plans only. When Global Roaming and International Direct Dialling (IDD) is activated, the associated data plan is opened for international use and as such usage charges increase dramatically when overseas.

International use of these plans is an additional charge and is not included in the monthly data usage limit. For example, if your plan is capped at 2GB per month, this only applies to data (emails, attachments, viewed web pages etc.) accessed in Australia. Once you access data overseas your cap no longer applies and ALL data is charged at international rates.

International data charges are considerable and the current rate is $15.36 per Megabyte (MB) or $15,360.00 per Gigabyte (GB) plus a per session connection fee of $0.50. Typical costs are as follows:

• Standard text-based emails would cost approximately $0.50 each
• Emails with a simple Word document attached would cost approximately $4.00 each
• Emails with a large attachment could cost $400 or more each
• Smart phone or tablet checking for email every 15 minutes without any download $48.00 per day

Recently a number of staff returning from overseas after accessing international data have been met with excessive bills. It is not uncommon for bills of $1,500 to $20,000 to be received. International Data Plans are available but are limited to which countries they apply to. When travelling in countries not covered by the data plan the above usage rates apply.

1. Disable or turn off International Data Roaming, also called Cellular Data, on your device before travelling. The method for doing this is device dependant if you are unsure seek advice from the company that sold the device or from ITS.
2. Seek out and use Wireless Hotspots. Many international hotels now offer free wireless internet services. Again check the availability of these before you travel.
3. Many Universities now offer Eduroam services as does UTAS. If visiting a participating university or even if one is nearby consider using this service. Participating institutes can be found via http://eduroam.org. An iPhone app called “Eduroam Companion” is available on iTunes to help people find the nearest Eduroam service provider.
4. If mobile data is required consider the purchase of a prepaid SIM card in the country you will be visiting. This purchase must be done in the country where it will be used. ITS cannot make this purchase for you.
5. If you decide you require International Data Roaming and are prepared to pay the higher charges check to see if an International Data Roaming plan is available in the countries you will be visiting. Call the Service Desk on x1818 for assistance.
6. Configure your phone to require a PIN code before use.
7. If your mobile device is lost or stolen please suspend/block the service by contacting the Service Desk and requesting an immediate block on your phone. A blocked device can be unblocked if the device is recovered later. There is no cost for this service.

If you are using a mobile phone with data access (email and web) or a wireless mobile broadband device (e.g. a device that plugs into your laptop or computer to access the Internet) please be aware of your data plan’s monthly allowance and regularly monitor your monthly usage. Excess data charges are considerable - currently up to $ 0.25 per Megabyte (MB) or $ 250.00 per Gigabyte (GB) when a datapack has been applied and $2 per MB or $2000 per GB where a datapack has not been applied i.e. if On a Pay as You Go (PAYG) or Casual plan. A number of staff have received excessive bills for over usage. It is not uncommon for bills of $200 to $20,000 per month to be received.

• Setup UConnect so that it is the first choice whenever you are in reception range of the University wireless network
• Utilise a broadband usage counter to monitor usage and reset it monthly
• Set your email to manual retrieval
• Use Outlook Web Access instead of an email client to check your email
• Do not loan your phone/mobile device to other people including your children, friends or relatives
• If your mobile device is lost or stolen please suspend/block the service by contacting the Service Desk and requesting an immediate block on your phone. A blocked device can be unblocked if the device is recovered later. There is no cost for this service
• Avoid accessing image-intensive web sites
• Avoid using your mobile phone as a modem (tethering) or access point. If this is a requirement upgrade the data plan to accommodate this type of use
• Avoid downloading, viewing or watching pictures, videos, video streaming and the like
• Utilise wireless hotspots e.g. McDonalds or UConnect where possible
• Take advantage of eduroam when visiting other Universities or the CSIRO. eduroam is a secure, world-wide roaming access service that allows university staff and students internet access at participating national and international eduroam campuses. For further details and a list of locations, refer to http://www.eduroam.edu.au

UTAS data plans are business-grade services and are not rate limited, data shaped or capped. Once you exceed the monthly download limit your device will continue to operate and you will be charged for excess usage. The majority of University of Tasmania mobile data plans are pooled. This means that any unused quota from one service can be used to offset another service going over quota. A mobile services quota should be set to meet the average usage of that service only relying on the pooled unused quota for unusually high activity. To confirm which data plan your mobile service has please contact the Service Desk on x1818 or email Service.Desk@utas.edu.au. Alternatively if you are using a device that can send SMS messages send an SMS to 176 with message “use” do not include the quotation marks. This Telstra service will respond with information about your data plan including if it is part of a shared data group or plan. The response will also advise on your current usage.