Telstra First in Australia to Offer Apple Watch for Kids Roaming
Telstra has become the first Australian telco to enable mobile roaming for Apple Watch for Kids, giving parents a new way to stay connected with their children while abroad.
The new feature adds a separate phone number and plan for the child's watch, costing $20 per month per child. The plan includes calls, texts, and 2GB of data. It requires a compatible Apple Watch with cellular capability (eSIM). Parents must also have an upfront mobile plan starting at $74 per month.
Background
Apple Watch for Kids was introduced last year as a feature allowing parents to set up watches for children without needing their own iPhone. However, mobile roaming was not previously available in Australia. Telstra's new offering addresses this gap.
Features and Restrictions
- The child's Apple Watch gets its own phone number.
- During school hours, a specific analogue watch face is used with a yellow circle indicating that apps are restricted.
- Do Not Disturb is automatically activated during class.
- Activity tracking for kids focuses on move minutes instead of calories.
- Supported features include maps, music, messages, Siri, calendar, emergency SOS, and health functions.
Cost Comparison
- Telstra's eSIM addition for adults: $8 per month, sharing an existing plan.
- Telstra's Apple Watch plan for kids: $20 per month, separate plan.
- The cost may be higher than a typical phone plan with prepaid or postpaid SIM.
- Battery life of the watch may be less than that of a smartphone.