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Free 8GB Data First Month, Free 4GB Two Months After + Unlimited Calls & Texts to NZ/AU (SIM/eSIM - $30/M Thereafter) @ Telsim

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Free 8GB Data First Month Followed by Free 4GB for The Next Two Months, Unlimited Calls and Texts to NZ & AU Prepaid SIM or eSIM at Telsim.
Normally $30 per month, free for the first three months. Can port your current number over.

A great option for those like me that are waiting on something decent from Kogan.

The initial 8GB data total is 4GB rolling with 4GB bonus for the first month. The following two months includes the rolling 4GB data only.

5G Network access.
Unlimited Calls to NZ and AU.
Unlimited Local SMS to NZ and AU.
Hotspot included.
Wifi Calling included.
Bonus data applies only at activation.
Standard $30/month applies after 3 months (Activation + 2 Topups).
Supported by One.NZ.
Activate prior to 30.11.2025.

eSIM link

Related Stores

telsim.nz
telsim.nz

closed Comments

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  • I’m a simple person, when I hear free I order it. Even knowing I have no way of putting it in a phone!

  • Great thanks!, Im just about to have the yearly kogan plan end and need some data to cover until a good deal comes

  • +1

    Whats the catch this is a wee bit too good to be true they don't even ask for payment details.

    • Is it an open term and can cancel after 3months?

      • +1

        It does state:

        No lock-in contracts
        Recharge as needed without worrying about exit fees or contract terms. You’re in control.

        So presumably yes you can.

  • the conditions say "A $1 bank card pre-authentication is also required during activation."

  • Ordered the E sim - 8GB Data Prepaid eSIM

    https://www.telsim.nz/prepaid-sims/products/8gb-data-prepaid…

    Received order email and it says

    Thank you for choosing Telsim New Zealand.
    Plan : 8GB Data Prepaid SIM Card

    Please note, your eSIM activation code is being securely posted to the address you provided. To avoid any risk of fraud or scam, ensure that the address is accurate and that you are the intended recipient. If you have any questions, please contact Telsim NZ Customer Support.

    eSIM activation code should be used within 30 days.

    Think I may have misread i assumed esim would come straight away

    • +1

      Weird that they're posting it when it's an eSIM. They're just a QR code normally emailed.

    • Maybe they don't have a templet for esim let us know if you receive the email containing the esim QR code.

    • Maybe they're sending the e-sim activation code and QR code in the letter lol rather than email

      • +1

        Received the QR and activation code today in the mail for my esim.

        • wild, advanced e-sim but old fashion snail mail to activate hahaha

          • @Saturdaysr4thedealz: Yeah weird. Wondering if it is purely for this promo as it contradicts what is outlined here.
            https://www.telsim.nz/prepaid-sims/prepaid-esims/

            How to activate your prepaid eSIM
            Getting started with your Telsim prepaid eSIM is fast and fully digital. Follow these simple steps to activate your plan in minutes:

            Step 1: Select your prepaid eSIM plan
            Browse available prepaid options on the Telsim website. Add your preferred prepaid eSIM plan to cart.

            Step 2: Checkout online
            Proceed to the checkout page and enter your details. Be sure to select “eSIM” as your SIM type before confirming your order.

            Step 3: Place your order
            Complete your purchase and keep an eye on your email inbox for your activation instructions.

            Step 4: Check your email
            You’ll receive a reference email with instructions and a unique QR code for eSIM setup.

            Step 5: Scan and activate
            Open your phone’s camera or QR code scanner app and scan the QR code sent to you. This will install your digital SIM directly onto your device.

            Step 6: Follow onscreen prompts
            Your phone will guide you through the final activation steps. Once complete, your eSIM will be ready to use.

    • Ah they actually have two products. The one linked above is a normal sim, here's their eSIM page for the same deal https://www.telsim.nz/prepaid-sims/products/8gb-data-prepaid…

  • Carryover Data cap: 3.5GB cap which expires after 12 months. 

  • I clicked the link and can't work out how much data $30/month gets you except for the freebies.

    Would I be right in saying it's 4GB of data per month for $30?

    And they have a sign bonus of free for the first three months, and a 4GB bonus data pack in the first month?

    Because it keeps saying 8GB everywhere and not 4GB.

    Or is it 8GB forever?

    • What you're asking is exactly how I've interpreted it.

      • If it's 4GB per month, then their marketing is dodgy AF. Seems like a bait and switch.

        • And then you do the reverse switch… To Kogan 😆

  • +1

    It's 4GB roll-over data per month on that plan according to this table
    https://www.telsim.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Critical-In…

    This excludes the 4GB Bonus Data on initial activation.

    • Yes it's 4GB, the fine print says **bonus data on activation only.
      Only the first 3 month you will get 8GB and after that it's 4GB @$30 per month, only 3.5GB can be carried over in total.

      • +2

        This is why it's a bait and switch, it's only the FIRST month you get 8GB, 4GB on month 2 and 3 (and ongoing). It seems intentionally difficult to understand.

        Looking further into it it's a 4GB plan for $30/month.

        The first month they give you an extra 4GB bonus sign up data.

        Additionally, they waive the $30/month fee for the first three months.

        It's so suspiciously written:
        "Go further with 8GB and unlimited talk for just $30"

        Well no, you never, at any point, pay $30 for 8GB.

        "The Telsim 8GB prepaid SIM card gives you more data, more value and more ways to stay connected. With 8GB included, plus unlimited calls and texts to New Zealand and Australia, this prepaid option is ideal for mobile users who want flexibility and performance without the pressure of a contract.

        Our 8GB prepaid SIM card is perfect for everyday use, short stays, content streaming or remote work. This plan helps you get more from your mobile without overspending."

        So you get 8GB? No, in the first month you get an extra 4GB bonus data.

        You otherwise get 4GB.

        You only get to see this if you click on the picture:
        https://www.telsim.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Telsim-4-GB…

        Where it points out (and names it) a 4GB plan, and you get an extra 4GB on activation and at no other time.

  • +4

    Also on the fine print: https://www.telsim.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Telsim-4-GB…

    Month 1 is free upon activation. To receive Months 2 and 3 free, your SIM must be active with call and data usage for at least 20 days in the previous month.

    • The call usage is a weird requirement, I probably use like 10 minutes of calling per month total.

      Do you lose month 2 and 3 because you didn't make at least 20 phone calls?

    • That is super weird.

    • From a client retention perspective it totally makes sense (even though to modern &/ western telecommunications companies this would seem really really weird, as these kind of practices used to be on offer a couple of decades ago).

      Simply put, they want you to develop a reliance on their services so that you don't simply use it as a free spare Sim fort the freebies only, but they want you to use their services on a regular basis so that it becomes cumbersome for you to switch numbers or providers afterwards.

      .. still won't stop real Cheapies abusing this and discarding it after using it as free car GPS & calling sims or for their kids to use though…

      • +4

        I'm sure you're right, but given that many (usually younger) people hardly use the phone (call) functionality, TelSIM are likely going to come across as being dodgy if you only use the phone 15 times in the prior month and you lose the second and third month freebies.

        They're living in a world that is rapidly disappearing - either they'll catch up and adapt to a different culture, or they'll die.

        {Shrug}

  • +3

    So the gist of it is you got to use 20 days of data, well thats no problem leave mobile data on. And you got to make calls on 20 days, to get month 2 and 3 free. But calls are free too so just give mum a bell and say have a nice day. It is a bit of work to get a freebie, but mum will be super happy.

    • 😄

  • Received the sim today.

  • I tried to order 2, one for my dad and one for myself. When I came to order the second one it came up with only 1 per household. Tough if you have more than one person for 1 address. Oh well, at least they let me send it to my po box so that is fine.
    1 per person sure, 1 per household seems a bit too restrictive but it's free so I can't complain too much.

    • esim, use your neighbours address?

  • Can anyone confirm the above reports that eSIM absolutely requires waiting for something to come in the post? Is it posted or couriered?

    • +1

      Yes. NZ Post with a stamp.

    • Confirm posted. Mine took 4 days to arrive. I'm in Auckland.

  • I've received my SIM. Just waiting for the phone number port to happen. Pretty easy process.

    • Assume the porting process all worked out for you?

      • Yes, has worked well. No issues except for a rookie mistake by me. I spoke with customer service, got through instantly and they were very helpful. This is me for the next three months.

        • Surprised you aren’t on a Kogan plan!

          • @nzsaver: I was, but somehow missed out on the last 40% offer. My Kogan plan finished early September. I'm now waiting for the next deal to pop up. Hopefully 50% off or BOGOF.

  • Kogan number can port forward to this company?
    and how to top up second and thirds month?

  • Received physical sim in my mail after ordering . Port over was quite straight forward . Few days later, I requested them for change of physical sim to esim for convenience through their chat . After few checks, the agent sent me a QR code through to my email ( the initial image was compressed and wasn't clear ; reached out again and he sent a clear image ) and the esim was up and running .

    • +1

      I tried to do the reverse by wanting to change from esim to physical sim. They refused to do it even though I hadn't installed or activated the esim.

      I wanted to change as I didn't realise that on my S23+ only sim2 was selectable between physical and esim. Sim1 is physical only.

      I use a data only esim for when I'm travelling overseas, so having 2 esims wasn't going to work for me.

  • I've ordered three physical Telsims, all different virgin addresses, urban Auckland. None have arrived. Clock is running out. LOL Oh well back to the Kogan honeytrap but maybe after todays order of rocket sim if/arrives? No great loss probably, reading Telsim feedback in Aus was something like 85% negative. I didn't think anyone could make Kogan look good ROFL

    Edit: oh yeah, I ordered wayback at the start of deal

  • +1

    It’s worth noting that you cannot currently port your number from Telsim to Kogan mobile in NZ. I just confirmed it with the customer support live chat.

    I had the same problem last year when trying to go from Kiwi Mobile to Kogan. Had to go through another provider like 2 degrees before I can finally port my number to Kogan.

    • That's a bit rubbish. Wonder if it's a Kogan or Telsim issue.

      • That's a bit rubbish. Wonder if it's a Kogan or Telsim issue.

        Probably Kogan since they specifically said they had the same issue with Kogan and KiwiMobile.

    • There is usually a reasonable period to activate a Kogan offer from when it is announced though.
      A bit inconvenient to have to go through another provider first but not much else you can do if the aim is to hold out for Kogan BOGOF.

  • +1

    Are others also receiving no mail after ordering ?

    • +2

      Yes, ordered and nothing has arrived. As you have to activate by 30th Sep it would appear they're going to piss off a lot of potential customers.

    • +2

      haven't received mine. They said they sent it, then emailed which looked like they "sent" it again, but nothing. They seem useless as they can't even give the esim activation over email like Korgan can.

      waste of time.

      • +1

        I finally got mine in the mail yesterday. It seems crazy they don't just email the eSIM activations.

        Not sure I can be bothered activating it when I'd have to port twice to get back to Kogan.

  • Thanks i received the mail yesterday. It took nearly 1 week. But the funny thing is that it say cant proceed adding the esim when i scan the qr code. Weird

    • Turned out the QR code came in the mail is not QR for esim but for activation webpage instead. Now i got it sorted.

  • +1

    For getting around the 20day call requirement… I'm dual sim and have been using automation on iPhone to call myself. The call from telsim goes to voicemail on my 2nd sim. I don't see any charges on my 2nd sim. Not 100% sure if this counts as a call, the telsim app only shows data usage not calls.

    Similar automation methods work on android or calls to another phone. For iPhone goes like this,
    Shortcut: Call myself > wait ? secs > airplane mode on > wait ? secs > airplane mode off
    Automation: run Shortcut at ? time daily

    • I give Lenny a call.

      For those that don't know him, he's a chatbot designed to annoy the heck out of scammers with quite a few preset AI responses.

  • Just tried to send a SMS reply to a short code number for doctors appointment. It failed.

    Support says only SMS to normal numbers are supported. 😞

  • Anyone on to their second month with no issues?

    • No issues here.

    • +1

      No issue.
      Your top-up may be disabled. Go to Top Up with Credit Card and select the $0.00 plan

  • Did anyone else lose all their data from the first month instead of it carrying over?

    • Did anyone else lose all their data from the first month instead of it carrying over?

      Maybe you used more than 4GB, and it uses the rollover date first, ahead of the bonus data?

    • I have 4Gb left at start of month 2 even though I used less than 4Gb in month 1

      • That is what happened to me. I used less than 1gb in the first month and had remaining data carryover but when I checked the next day, all the data from the previous month had disappeared.
        I contacted telsim and they said I must have used all the data even though I told them my phone shows I used less than 1 gb.

        • It’s silly because this month shows 4/8Gb used. Even though this month only has 4Gb allocated and the month just started.

          Like you it’s as if both months got combined and the carry over disappeared.

          Customer service wouldn’t help you?

          The app interface is so bad it doesn’t make me confident to use them on a paid basis. Not that cheap either.

          • @nzsaver: They said they'll get back to me next day but didn't so I opened live chat again and same thing, we'll get back to you in 24 hours.
            I'm only using this as a spare sim at the moment but I don't think I'll use them for my main phone either.
            Terrible customer service. I ask them different questions and it's always some copy and paste answer instead of answering my questions so I've given up.

    • Yes I used like 3gb/8gb and none of it carried over onto 2nd month. So bizarre.

  • So do we have to renew it manually each month?

    Did anyone NOT make phone calls and miss out because of that?!

    • Yes I wanna know if we still have to do the phone call thing for month 2 and 3?

  • Can you use it as an eSIM without porting your number?

    • +1

      Yes

  • I got an esim qr code but it said the number was already activated when i tried..

  • Can anyone comment on latency? I need it for a gaming holiday where latency is important, but so is mobility.

    Perhaps someone could do a Speedtest.net latency test?

    Also do you need a New Zealand address? Would my hotel/airbnb suit?

    Does anyone confirm the esim link works via email?

    • Ok I was able to signup with my hotel address. However I did use the esim link but it's coming via mail. Just thought I'd like to update the community.

      • Hope you're there for a wee while. Took about a week for the letter to arrive.

        • I just got my message saying it's been sent. Is there any way to get the signup details electronically?

          I arrive tomorrow and leave in a week. It should arrive just as I'm leaving hahha.

          • @brisdaz: You'd have to contact customer services to see if they are able to help.

            • @kiwi harry: Thanks, I should have but ended up getting a now expired competitor deal.

  • Not sure what the protocol is but the OP's title & description don't match the now linked deal, I don't see anything in the deal about additional 2 months free, only 1st month free.

  • Comments reopened by request.

  • +1

    Thanks mods.

    I know it has expired but PSA re Telsim experience even though I think their deals and prices are so unattractive that few Cheapies would choose them anyway.

    I got onto their 3 month free deal even though only 1 SIM was delivered out of the several that my family ordered at different addresses. After the first month, renewal was very confusing as it looked to be a manual process where you had to add a payment method, and then select another $0.00 plan for month 2 (there were multiple emails reminding me to renew/top up but it didn't seem to be an automated process that just rolled over with the $0.00 payment).

    Anyway like someone else, I lost the unused data that was remaining after the first month (4Gb left at start of month 2 even though I used less than 4Gb in month 1). This would have been more than frustrating had I paid for it. Didn't contact them as the other Cheapie that tried just got some stock response that didn't understand the problem

    Into month 3 and I pay attention to the warning to "top up" in order to ensure continued plan. So I do this but I now have 5.9Gb to use this month. Perhaps the 4Gb activation bonus data was not intended to roll over.

    What I noticed though is that I renewed the plans 1-2 days prior to their "expiry" and I only got 30 days from the day that I renewed.

    Such a terrible experience and gives me zero confidence in their services.

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