Temporary Disaster Roaming

What is Temporary Disaster Roaming?

Temporary Disaster Roaming (TDR) is a capability designed to help people stay connected when their usual mobile network is unavailable during a major natural disaster, such as a bushfire, cyclone or flood.

TDR may be available when:

  • Your usual mobile network is unavailable.
  • Another participating network is still operating in the area and can safely handle the extra demand.
  • The event is eligible for TDR.
  • The affected area is an eligible non-metro disaster-affected area.

If TDR is activated in a regional or rural disaster area where you are located, your phone may temporarily connect to another participating mobile network to support essential calls, texts and basic data.

How does TDR work?

If your usual mobile network is unavailable during an eligible disaster, TDR may allow your compatible phone to temporarily connect to another participating network that is still operating in the area. This may give you access to essential calls, texts and limited data.

Participating network carriers that have joined this initiative will do their best to make TDR available when it is safe to do so and when their networks have the capacity to handle the additional traffic.

What are the limitations?

TDR may not be available for every disaster or network outage. It may also not be available if power loss or network damage has affected all nearby networks.

TDR is not a permanent domestic roaming service or coverage expansion feature. It is a temporary, best-efforts emergency capability and its availability and performance are not guaranteed. It is not a replacement for normal mobile service, and you should not rely on it as your only way to stay connected.

Your existing plan and rates apply. There are no extra charges for using TDR.

What you need to do

Check your network settings

Once TDR is switched on, most people won't need to change any phone settings. To give your phone the best chance of connecting if TDR is available in your area, check that network selection is set to Automatic.

If your phone is set to Manual, switch it back to Automatic. 

Look for the network name

If your phone connects to TDR, you may see Disaster Roaming or something similar on your screen. Neither ALDI Mobile nor Telstra Wholesale will send customers an SMS or email if TDR is enabled in an affected area.

Check your phone is compatible

To use TDR, your phone needs to support VoLTE roaming (Voice over LTE). Most phones will work, especially those released in the last few years, but some older phones may need a software update first, so keep yours up to date. Compatibility can change, so check with your phone's manufacturer if you're unsure.

Medical alert devices, personal alarms, EFTPOS terminals, IoT and other connected devices aren't supported.

What may work during TDR

If your phone successfully connects to a participating network during TDR, you may be able to:

  • Make and receive standard voice calls, including calls to mobile numbers and landlines.
  • Send and receive standard SMS messages.
  • Access limited mobile data.

Voice calls, SMS and mobile data are provided on a best-efforts basis. They may be limited or unavailable depending on network conditions, capacity and your device.

MMS is not supported and may not work reliably during TDR. You should not rely on MMS during an active TDR event.

TDR is separate from Triple Zero. You can call 000 or 112 from any available mobile network, even if TDR isn't on.

Emergency alerts, including AusAlerts, depend on the network you’re connected to at the time. Alert delivery is not guaranteed.

Always follow advice from official emergency services during an emergency.

Temporary Disaster Roaming FAQs

What is Temporary Disaster Roaming?

Temporary Disaster Roaming, or TDR, may allow your mobile device to temporarily connect to another participating network during an eligible, large-scale disaster event in Australia.

It is designed to support essential communications during an emergency. It is not a replacement for normal mobile service, and you should not rely on it as your only way to stay connected.

When is TDR available?

TDR may only be available during an eligible disaster event and within an approved activation area. It is not switched on for every disaster or network outage.

Each network carrier may make TDR available on a best-efforts basis, depending on network conditions at the time. TDR is temporary and will be withdrawn when emergency roaming support is no longer needed.

Is TDR guaranteed?

No. TDR is a temporary, best-efforts emergency capability. Access and service are not guaranteed.

Whether you can connect, and what services may work, depends on disaster conditions, participating networks, coverage, network capacity, operational conditions and your device.

How do I get my phone ready for TDR?

Most phones will work with TDR, and once it's switched on, most people won't need to change any settings. To give your phone the best chance of connecting if Temporary Disaster Roaming is available in your area, check that network selection is set to Automatic. On some older phones, Data Roaming may also need to be on to use mobile data while connected through TDR.

The steps may vary depending on your phone model and software version.

iPhone

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Mobile or Mobile Service.
  3. Tap Network Selection.
  4. Turn on Automatic.

Android

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet, Connections or Mobile network.
  3. Tap Network operators or look for Automatically select network.
  4. Turn on automatic network selection.

You can also search online for: “How to turn on automatic network selection on [your phone model]”

If your phone is set to Manual, switch it back to Automatic.

To use TDR, your phone also needs to support VoLTE roaming (Voice over LTE). Most phones will work, especially those released in the last few years, but some older phones may need a software update first, so keep yours up to date. Compatibility can change, so check with your phone's manufacturer if you're unsure.

What can I do if my phone connects to TDR?

If your phone successfully connects to a participating network during TDR, you may be able to make and receive standard voice calls, send and receive SMS messages, and access limited mobile data.

MMS is not supported and may not work reliably during TDR. You should not rely on MMS during an active TDR event. Voice calls, SMS and mobile data are provided on a best-efforts basis and may be limited or unavailable.

Does TDR cost anything?

No. Your existing plan and rates apply. There are no extra charges for usage through TDR.

Will I receive emergency alerts during TDR?

Emergency alerts, including AusAlerts, depend on the network you are connected to at the time. Alert delivery is not guaranteed, so always follow official emergency advice.

Does ALDI Mobile decide when TDR is available?

No. Participating mobile network providers work together during an eligible disaster event to determine whether TDR can and should be activated, taking into account safety, network conditions and operational requirements.

If TDR is activated, ALDI Mobile customers with compatible devices may be able to temporarily connect to another participating network.