Archives: FAQs

Everyone’s data usage is different, so it’s important you choose a mobile plan that has the right amount of data for your needs. The following are general estimates of usage for typical day to day phone activities.

Activity Typical data size
Emails sent and received 0.5MB per email
Web browsing 1.5MB per page
Video streaming 9.5MB per minute
HD movies 3.75GB per movie
Music streaming 2.5MB per minute
App/game download 35MB per item

1MB = 1,024KB

1GB = 1,024MB

If you need more data you can always change your plan, best to always check how much data you still have available in your data bank. Go to your Pennytel Account Online and Login or simply send a text message with the word “Bal” to 179. Once you send the SMS you will receive a reply text from MyAcct which will display the available data in your data bank.

No. Pennytel plans are month-to-month. You can cancel, downgrade or upgrade from one month to the next. This keeps things simple and fair, don’t you agree?

You’re able to bring your own mobile or tablet. So you aren’t locked-in to buying a new mobile on a contract. 

If you’d like to move to another mobile provider, you can either tell us you’d like to cancel – or – simply migrate your phone number to a new provider. (You can take your mobile number with you).

Extra Small, Small and Medium Plans

The international calling feature is initially disabled. Call our Customer Service team on 1300 232 888.

Once enabled, international calls are charged ‘per minute’ based on the destination. You are able to call international fixed lines, mobiles and payphones in most global locations. 

See our international call rates here.

25GB and above plans

Customers on the 25GB and above plans have unlimited international calls and text to 15 countries.

The international calling feature is already enabled when you sign up to these plans.

Unlimited international calls and text are available in:

  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Malaysia
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vietnam

 Countries not included will be charged PAYG rates.

Data inclusions vary based on your chosen plan. (All plans come with unlimited standard Australian calls, SMS and MMS). The larger your plan, the more data is included: from 5GB up to 180GB. It’s enough for regular people and regular use – checking email, browsing Facebook and watching cat videos.

If you think you’ll go over your monthly allowance, you can choose to add 1GB of extra data, for a small additional charge. We call this a ‘Bolt On’ data pack. The Bolt On data expires at the end of your billing period.

Back to Plans, rates & inclusions FAQs

Note: All data inclusions are for use in Australia and won’t work overseas. Download and upload speedswill vary based on coverage area. The data inclusions expire at the end of your monthly billing period.

The following types of usage are not included in our plans and will be charged at pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates. Please note that these rates are subject to change without notice.

  • Calls/SMS/MMS to international numbers
  • Call forwarding
  • Directory assistance
  • Time and weather services (1194, 1196)
  • Telstra and Optus mobile satellite number
  • Video MMS

Need a little extra data? You can upgrade (or downgrade) your plan at any time. Simply give us a call on 1300 232 888.

There is no charge to change your plan and your change will take effect the last day of the current billing cycle. Should you wish to change before this date you will be billed for the full plan plus a month in advance note you will not receive a refund for any amounts that you have paid for in advance on your previous plan.

You will be billed on the 28th of every month for the full monthly plan fee as per your selected plan. The billing period will be from the 28th of the month up to and including the 27th of the following month. Approximately 3-5 days after the 28th of the month you will receive your bill via the communication method you have nominated – be that via email or regular paper mail. Please note that if you elect to receive your bill in paper via regular mail a fee of $3.00 will be applied to your account. You can access your Pennytel account online via our website portal where you can track your usage, see your pre-bill information and nominate your direct debit payment method.

Your service will be automatically renewed each month unless you inform us you wish to cancel your service, or you transfer your number to a new provider If you cancel or transfer your service to another service provider, you will not receive a refund for any amounts that you have paid.

Service charges begin from the day you activate your SIM card.

If you activate on days 1-27, your first bill will be pro-rated from the date of connection for the current bill cycle, along with the month in advance. This means your first bill may be higher than your ongoing monthly plan fee. After the first month, your bill will revert to the regular monthly charge for your plan.