[Drazen]

Well, T-mobile is no-contract so you can sign up and cancel if that's what you want to do. I'm not sure as to the current portability rules, I know the FCC just ruled about being able to use phones across multiple carriers although I don't know if that's live yet so I'm unsure about if you could use your Verizon Iphone's SIM slot with a tmobile account. I doubt it though.

I don't know if they'll catch on though if you do it multiple times. I'm thinking they may eventually blacklist if you continually do this.

By the way, Sprint just announced a similar plan. It may be a matter of time until Verizon does the same as well, but I doubt it as they probably make a killing on international data with business travellers.

N.B. Keep in mind that they only have the free data on plans where they soft pull your credit score. The pre-paid plans don't allow it.

ALSO, if you have a plan with a certain level of phone, you can also TEXT for free on any US flight that has Gogo enabled wireless. http://www.t-mobile.com/offer/free-in-fl...rrier.html

[samsamsam]

Bumping this thread.

I am planning on a two month trip. I want to be able to take calls from the US and make calls to the US as cheaply as possible. Also to receive texts also.

I'll be carrying two phones one for local sim cards and my Verizon Iphone 6.

Skype or Google Voice? I do want any calls to my regular number to reach me on skype or GV. But I hear Skype quality may be lacking.

Originally, I was thinking I'll just have this working when I am connected to wifi. But I guess it is possible to use my local sim phone (with data plan) and download the appropriate app, right?

Thoughts would be appreciated.

[Drazen]

Does Verizon have Wifi calling yet? I did some wifi calling when I was in Europe, it worked "ok" but it really depended on the hotel's internet speed which was generally not very good.

I'd use Google Voice since you can also text from there for free, unlike Skype where I think its not as good. I've found Skype's voicemail system fairly unreliable. Its good for outgoing calls though. I also use Skype Wifi to connect to paid wifi spots per minute and the credit is deducted from my Skype account.

I have both Skype and Google Voice. I like having the flexibility of both since it doesn't cost much at all. But usually Google Voice is better for incoming and Skype is better for outgoing calls.

[samsamsam]

Does using skype require buying a phone number? I saw something about 60 to buy a phone number and the 40 a year. Might have been old info. Drazen could you provide a little info on your costs for operating skype?

So if I understand correctly, if I am connected to wifi, I can use my Google Voice US Number to call anyone in the US?

Thanks.

[Drazen]

I have the unlimited US and Canada Plan. Its $7.95 for 3 months for unlimited calls in and out. I don't believe you need a number and I think you can spoof your caller ID to your cell phone number. I'm not entirely sure though.

I pay $30/year to have an online number. I believe this is with a 50% discount for having a subscription. I really only use this as a business line that forwards to my cell phone though.
http://www.skype.com/en/features/online-number/

Not sure about the Google Voice outgoing calls. It always changes I think you need to make a call via Hangouts.

[Drazen]

By the way, T-mobile's new thing is unlimited calls to and from Canada and Mexico. Basically anywhere in North America is as if you're home, including 4G data.

http://explore.t-mobile.com/3countryplan

[Global Entry]

Sam, I guess I was never necessarily looking for the cheapest option. I was prioritizing (1) connectivity, (2) seeming to some biz colleagues/possible customers that I could be anywhere (i didn't want my communication disclosing my location for various reasons), and (3) quality and reliability of the connection at my primary location. Cost is important, but ultimately not the driving factor.

You should definitely download the various apps. Might be helpful to know what type of phones you have and which US carrier, if its relevant.

For what its worth I found, from China, Apple iTalk or whatever its called (the voice app through iMessage) gave a better connection than Skype. I used skype more (and I recommend guys have two skype accounts, one for biz and one anonymous one) but if it was fucking up, and the recipient was on an iPhone, i would switch over. The skype number i bought for 45 per year (biz reimbursable or a write-off) and showed me calling from a US number. I believe you can choose your area code of choice.

(08-05-2015 09:24 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

Bumping this thread.

I am planning on a two month trip. I want to be able to take calls from the US and make calls to the US as cheaply as possible. Also to receive texts also.

I'll be carrying two phones one for local sim cards and my Verizon Iphone 6.

Skype or Google Voice? I do want any calls to my regular number to reach me on skype or GV. But I hear Skype quality may be lacking.

Originally, I was thinking I'll just have this working when I am connected to wifi. But I guess it is possible to use my local sim phone (with data plan) and download the appropriate app, right?

Thoughts would be appreciated.

I don't think Verizon has this. The overseas data plans are also terrible (except Mexico and Canada, which seem workable). Texts are 5 cents coming in and 50 cents going out most places. I don't understand why Verizon would leave so much money on the table by not offering to bundle overseas data plans - its not like they'd lose out on the first class, indifferent traveller who they gouge for $20.48 per MB (seriously, thats the roaming cost in most countries on Verizon).

(08-06-2015 12:21 AM)Drazen Wrote:  

Does Verizon have Wifi calling yet? I did some wifi calling when I was in Europe, it worked "ok" but it really depended on the hotel's internet speed which was generally not very good.

I'd use Google Voice since you can also text from there for free, unlike Skype where I think its not as good. I've found Skype's voicemail system fairly unreliable. Its good for outgoing calls though. I also use Skype Wifi to connect to paid wifi spots per minute and the credit is deducted from my Skype account.

I have both Skype and Google Voice. I like having the flexibility of both since it doesn't cost much at all. But usually Google Voice is better for incoming and Skype is better for outgoing calls.

Drazen, as much detail on how this works as possible would be great. Do we use our existing US cel number? Skype? The biggest drawback from switching sim cards is no incoming texts from people on Android phones, for me. I did just buy a second phone I've been using as a portable cel hotspot while in the Dom Rep this week, and so I may use that as the world phone (cost around $50 at walmart for this totally unlocked small android with limited features) and keep my US sim in my iPhone 6+

(08-06-2015 01:10 AM)Drazen Wrote:  

I have the unlimited US and Canada Plan. Its $7.95 for 3 months for unlimited calls in and out. I don't believe you need a number and I think you can spoof your caller ID to your cell phone number. I'm not entirely sure though.

I pay $30/year to have an online number. I believe this is with a 50% discount for having a subscription. I really only use this as a business line that forwards to my cell phone though.
http://www.skype.com/en/features/online-number/

Not sure about the Google Voice outgoing calls. It always changes I think you need to make a call via Hangouts.

[Cheetah]

(02-06-2015 04:09 PM)elcidcampeador Wrote:  

I'm writing this post from Guam from free data provided through my US T-Mobile plan. In the past week I've used the plan for free data and Google voice calling in Thailand, HK, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Guam. It's not fast data but it's solid 3G, and can make calls. I called United from the Taj Mahal to change a flight.

There's nothing quite like not having to worry about anything phone-wise when traveling all over the place.

If you use conventional calling it's .20/minute. All texts are free regardless of your location in the world.

Is there any European T-Mobile plan with free international data roaming?

For the U.S. T-Mobile plan, is all data traffic routed through the U.S. when using international data roaming?

[Orson]

(09-12-2015 02:14 PM)Cheetah Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 04:09 PM)elcidcampeador Wrote:  

I'm writing this post from Guam from free data provided through my US T-Mobile plan. In the past week I've used the plan for free data and Google voice calling in Thailand, HK, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Guam. It's not fast data but it's solid 3G, and can make calls. I called United from the Taj Mahal to change a flight.

There's nothing quite like not having to worry about anything phone-wise when traveling all over the place.

If you use conventional calling it's .20/minute. All texts are free regardless of your location in the world.

Is there any European T-Mobile plan with free international data roaming?

For the U.S. T-Mobile plan, is all data traffic routed through the U.S. when using international data roaming?

Fist question - I don't know (but I doubt it).
Second question - "is all data routed through the US...?" - I doubt it. Because T-Mobile is owned by Deutsche Telekom, with 230 million subscribers and a company heavily into a dozen countries, especially Central Europe, it's unlikely.

(But with packet technology routing everything, you'd have to either be a hi-tech geek or else be well-connected to a telecoms geek to confirm it.)

SEE MAP here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile#/...e_2014.png

[Cheetah]

^^^^

If you go to this website it should give a hint if the traffic is routed through the US or not.

http://www.whereisip.net

[Robert Plant]

I did a 5 country trip this summer including destinations in Europe, the Middle East and SE Asia. T mobile was awesome! I had 3G data virtually everywhere and texting always worked perfectly. The funny thing is I actually had better coverage abroad than I do in the U.S.

[Orson]

(09-21-2015 11:54 PM)Robert Plant Wrote:  

I did a 5 country trip this summer including destinations in Europe, the Middle East and SE Asia. T mobile was awesome! I had 3G data virtually everywhere and texting always worked perfectly. The funny thing is I actually had better coverage abroad than I do in the U.S.

GREAT to hear!
I'm going to avail myself of T-mobile for this purpose myself, for autumn travel.

But I've discovered another near competitors in H2O Wireless, a Mobile Virtual Wireless outfit, discounting AT&T network.

They do offer unlimited 120 countries - but only from the three nations of Nor Am - no calling abroad - for $50 plus minutes.

More enticing is their international data plan - similar to T-mobile, but only 5 cents a minute (instead of T-mobile's 20 cents).

T-mobile is clearly simpler, more flexible and complete. But at a higher per minute rate.

For folks who only want USA (etc) to call or text from, and want internet anywhere abroad, a mere $30 buys roughly 30mnutes per day, and $50 for 2 hours, H20 Wireless offers great price breaks!

[Cheetah]

Anyone living outside of the US who managed to sign up for the US T-Mobile subscription?

[ElJefe1]

(09-22-2015 05:00 AM)Cheetah Wrote:  

Anyone living outside of the US who managed to sign up for the US T-Mobile subscription?

I live in Budapest and use TMobile it's great for the unlimited Internet access included in 200+ countries and when dialing while on wifi those calls are free back to the states. Draw back is the Internet access isn't all that great at times depending on your locale or really anyplace away from the states but it gets the job done for me...

[Cheetah]

^^^^

Perhaps you were using a US address when signing up for the subscription?

Do you mind to go to http://www.whereisip.net/ from Hungary, using your US T-Mobile subscription, and report what country that website thinks that you are surfing from?

[ElJefe1]

I signed up in the states, where im surfing from doesn't really matter I would think because it's a U.S. Plan.

[Cheetah]

^^^^

If that website says that you are surfing from the US even though you are in Hungary, that means that all traffic probably is routed through the US, which could be one reason why it is going abit slow. Furthermore I think that the subscription is throttled to be a little slow while roaming.

[CleanSlate]

I want to keep my old US phone number when I expatriate this summer, and still be able to receive text messages to that number. Not only for keeping in touch, but also for two-factor authentication for securely logging into my financial accounts or signing up for new online accounts. You know, they send you a code via text, and you enter that code to log in.

How do I go about this?

Does a t-mobile international plan help with keeping my old number and being able to receive text messages to that number abroad? Does Google Voice or Skype do this also?

[samsamsam]

(04-12-2016 12:00 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

I want to keep my old US phone number when I expatriate this summer, and still be able to receive text messages to that number. Not only for keeping in touch, but also for two-factor authentication for securely logging into my financial accounts or signing up for new online accounts. You know, they send you a code via text, and you enter that code to log in.

How do I go about this?

Does a t-mobile international plan help with keeping my old number and being able to receive text messages to that number abroad? Does Google Voice or Skype do this also?

This might help. For you, my research is free
thread-47239...pid1057075

(07-03-2015 06:37 AM)262 Wrote:  

As for transferring my US # to a VoIP service (no sense paying for US cell service if you aren't in their coverage), I'm going with RingTo. Their number porting service is fast and free (I submitted my request a few hours ago and just got an e-mail saying the transfer will happen at a certain time on July 6). That contrasts to Google Voice ($20 to port in) and Talkatone (seems you must e-mail to port your number). Reason for keeping my US #? To keep it active, and to also be able to send/receive calls/texts for free with family/friends in the US (though apps like Facebook Messenger pretty much do this anyway).

On a personal note, not sure if you used Google Voice on your trips, but it worked pretty well. I was able to do all sorts of work and calls and it was clear. I had skype and google voice with about 10 bucks each loaded, in case I was not on my laptop and needed to call from my cell over wifi.

[DaveR]

(04-12-2016 12:00 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

I want to keep my old US phone number when I expatriate this summer, and still be able to receive text messages to that number. Not only for keeping in touch, but also for two-factor authentication for securely logging into my financial accounts or signing up for new online accounts. You know, they send you a code via text, and you enter that code to log in.

How do I go about this?

Does a t-mobile international plan help with keeping my old number and being able to receive text messages to that number abroad? Does Google Voice or Skype do this also?

Google Voice is probably the best bet. I think T-Mobile is more risky because if you lose your SIM card, you'll have to go back to the US to replace it.

Numbers can be ported to Google Voice: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en

And receive/send SMS messages: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115116?hl=en

Edit: Ring.to is another good option, as per 262's post. It's backed by a large, stable company, so there shouldn't be any risk of losing your number.

[Global Entry]

One thing I am finding useful given the amount of country hopping I do is having a second phone. I've been keeping a few phones in hand (I had three for a while, an iPhone, a lower end Sony and a world phone from walmart that I was using as mobile wifi). The iPhone broke and its difficult for esoteric reasons to get fixed in China, and I retired the world phone. The sony is a dual sim card phone, so in the Phils, where I am at the moment, I'm able to load both Globe and Smart cards in and stay fairly well connected wherever I am in MNL. The iPhone of course only takes a single sim, but for those of you that need to get SMS on your home country SIM (or calls), having the second phone can be highly useful and far less time consuming than switching sim cards multiple times daily. And like with my retired world phone, it can allow you to load up data on a sim and have wifi wherever you go.

I just started using google voice, and I must say I am impressed with the quality, even in China where google apps are largely blocked. It was better while running a VPN than skype is typically.

[dalbroker]

Just returned from China where I battled the great firewall
for 3 weeks.

If you are in China check out "wechat out" You can pay like
1cent per minute to make outbound calls to other countries.

This saved my arse as skype does NOT work well and the
broadband connections are not good in china.

Wanted to post wechat out for the board for long distance calls.
Its cheap and the quality of the calls was very good. Esp
in china where nothing works.

(04-13-2016 02:01 AM)Global Entry Wrote:  

One thing I am finding useful given the amount of country hopping I do is having a second phone. I've been keeping a few phones in hand (I had three for a while, an iPhone, a lower end Sony and a world phone from walmart that I was using as mobile wifi). The iPhone broke and its difficult for esoteric reasons to get fixed in China, and I retired the world phone. The sony is a dual sim card phone, so in the Phils, where I am at the moment, I'm able to load both Globe and Smart cards in and stay fairly well connected wherever I am in MNL. The iPhone of course only takes a single sim, but for those of you that need to get SMS on your home country SIM (or calls), having the second phone can be highly useful and far less time consuming than switching sim cards multiple times daily. And like with my retired world phone, it can allow you to load up data on a sim and have wifi wherever you go.

I just started using google voice, and I must say I am impressed with the quality, even in China where google apps are largely blocked. It was better while running a VPN than skype is typically.

[bumborass]

First time posting on this forum after lurking for about a month

I'm cheap as hell, so I just use MagicJack on my iPhone. You can pay for texting and it gives you an American phone number that people can call you on. I use this whenever I'm connected to Wi-Fi.