Cell Phones Overseas

[audreyh1]

I am curious. Which T-mobile plan do you have?

I have the original $60 for two lines plan. Since Covid I have not used it abroad. IIRC, I had unlimited texting and data though at reduced speeds.

We switched to the Magenta MAX senior which includes unlimited data, 40G/month personal hotspot, free texting everywhere, 2x regular speeds internationally, they have now added 5G/month high speed data internationally, Netflix, etc. With the Netflix included it was cheaper than our much older plan and our old plan had some data limits although it did include personal hotspot and 2x international data speeds. Compared to the non MAX plan I think it’s an extra $10/month per line.

 

[explanade]

I have T-Mobile 55 plan. Have not upgraded to Magenta with the higher prices.

So the $10 or more I save a month more than pays for local SIMs with much greater data.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Question for the crowd --- what's the best way to handle cell phone service while actually living overseas when you'll still frequently call/text/travel back to the US?

Background: I'm in the military, moving to Japan this summer for 2-4 years .... but my family will be staying stateside for an extra year & I'm going to be traveling back to the US somewhat regularly. DW & I would prefer to keep our US numbers if feasible, for simplicity... We're also currently sharing a Verizon phone plan with my brothers -- they're open to switching with us for the cost savings, but it's not essential.

I'm trying to decide between GoogleFi, T-Mobile, or a local Japanese provider. I know that Fi will grant a military exception to their terms limitation on long-term use overseas. I'm not sure if T-Mobile is similarly accommodating -- I've been told both ways. My thoughts: T-Mobile would be cheapest, Fi probably the best fit, and a local service the simplest (though likely least flexible). Appreciate any advice or better ideas...

If you plan to use a local sim with data in Japan, another option would be to get a free Google Voice number before you leave to stay in touch with family and friends back home. You can call or text via the app on your phone or the dashboard on your Laptop or PC. My son in law ported his cell number to Google back in 2009 since he had to carry both his company phone and his personal cellphone all the time. He loaded the GV app on the company cell and now he gets all his personal calls on the app and has no cell bill. A lot of students that study overseas use GV to keep in touch and I use it when I go to the UK. It works great over WIFI as well if you don't have a data plan.

Here is a link to the Reddit Google Voice Group if interested

https://www.reddit.com/r/Googlevoice/comments/

How to use Google Voice Video

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I have T-Mobile 55 plan. Have not upgraded to Magenta with the higher prices.

So the $10 or more I save a month more than pays for local SIMs with much greater data.

This is very true. And a great choice.

Unless you wish to maintain voice and text message communication with people back in the USA using your regular US number. There's room for both paths to be the "right choice" for different people who have different priorities.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

We switched to the Magenta MAX senior which includes unlimited data, 40G/month personal hotspot, free texting everywhere, 2x regular speeds internationally, they have now added 5G/month high speed data internationally, Netflix, etc. With the Netflix included it was cheaper than our much older plan and our old plan had some data limits although it did include personal hotspot and 2x international data speeds. Compared to the non MAX plan I think it’s an extra $10/month per line.

audreyh1, this is what I now have exactly (as of yesterday). I normally keep the Cellular Data Roaming set to OFF when here in the US. I assume I need to enable Roaming to connect to the European networks upon arrival, correct? Any other actions I need to do either before leaving or upon arrival in Madrid?

 

[Sunset]

....

Unless you wish to maintain voice and text message communication with people back in the USA using your regular US number. There's room for both paths to be the "right choice" for different people who have different priorities.

You touch on the issue I currently have.
I'd like to keep using my USA normal number, but I've gotten various other plans when traveling and need to update my important contacts of the number.

Last summer, I found out a friend had 5 different numbers for me and someone texted an old number and wondered why I didn't respond

I'm just not keen to spend a lot, so interested in lower cost ways of having a number that's really useful all the time everywhere.

 

[Gotadimple]

I’m leave for a Mediterranean cruise in less than a month, so I’ll test it in Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. I didn’t look them all up to see if they appear in the 210 supported countries, but I’m sure most do, if not all.

Your T-Mobile account will automatically connect in each of these countries. You'll get a welcome text each time the country changes, something like "Welcome to Greece!"

Also works if you use Google Fi (a T-Mobile MVNO) who has full access to all international spots that the Magenta plan has. And it is seamless like the standard T-Mobile post-paid accounts.

 

[explanade]

It'll connect at port and on land trips.

Not so sure about out at sea or away from cities along the coast.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

It'll connect at port and on land trips.

Not so sure about out at sea or away from cities along the coast.

I'm not sure if you're referring to me and my cruise or someone else in this thread. I won't be trying to connect to cellular while at sea on my cruise ship. That would cause the phone to connect to the expensive ship cellular and I'm pretty certain that T-Mobile doesn't have any sort of agreement with them for that.

I'm just looking for cellular voice/text/data coverage while in various cruise ports exploring (google maps and restaurant lookups, etc.) and in Madrid/Rome/Venice for my pre- and post-cruise stays.

 

[audreyh1]

audreyh1, this is what I now have exactly (as of yesterday). I normally keep the Cellular Data Roaming set to OFF when here in the US. I assume I need to enable Roaming to connect to the European networks upon arrival, correct? Any other actions I need to do either before leaving or upon arrival in Madrid?

Right, turn on data roaming. That’s the only roaming button my phone shows. I have Voice and Data set to 5G Auto. I haven’t used this iPhone 13 overseas, but I expect it to work seamlessly like the other have.

It just works. You should get a feel good text from T-mobile shortly after touchdown when you turn off airplane mode and your phone sees the local cell network.

I leave roaming on in the US too. I’m close enough to the border that I occasionally connect to the Mexico cellular network - no problems.

 

[airbornesapper]

Grab a SIM and one month service

I always grab a SIM card and 30 day plan with plenty of data…My last a few weeks ago in the UK cost me 15quid and came with 20gb and a 10 gb bonus…

I do this where I can the world over and never use free wifi….

 

[Sullidc]

Another Google Fi user here. Worked seamlessly in France, England and Amsterdam. For some reason, it did not work in Ireland.

 

[Gonz]

Have T-Mobile. It's global by default at $45/mo.. It connects automatically when you arrive at destination country.

I use the free text and internet and use Face Time a lot which is free as well.
Sent and receive calls at a low flat rate but don't use it much.

Works in over 200 countries.
So far used in Brazil,UK,Italy,Germany,Switzerland,Austria,and New Zealand the past 18 months. No issues.



I think they have travel packages for days and weeks if you are doing serious calling and can be activated from T-Mobile app.
They have upgrades as well.

 

[Global Wizzo]

Intl Cell

I’ve traveled the world for years both work and fun. I used to maintain mobile accounts in multiple countries. Now with the reduction in costs and better networks, this really isn’t necessary.

Currently use a combination of T-Mobile 1+ that gets me 5G as a start and 256 data speed for unlimited data in most cases.

For international calling, I use a combination of the regular cell number or a VoIP number and Phone Power soft phone. That and a VPN and my extra costs are usually zero over two-three week trips.

Haven’t had any issues in Europe, ME or Asia.

The iPhone 13 will run dual sims, but I haven’t found the need and most tourist sim packages I have seen are mostly data and minimal voice minutes.

Just remember if you answer a spam call from the States, you are paying for it.

Enjoy your travel. London tonight for me.

 

[Jeff76Canada]

You need to use AIRALO, search in the store.
I used 3 times when travelling to USA, but they have packages anywhere, its easy to install an e-sim, no need to physical sim

 

[Gearhead Jim]

We put our cellphones on airplane mode when leaving the US and just connect through hotel wifi at no cost.

If we're away from the hotel and need the phone for something, we gulp and pay the ten bucks to connect 1 phone.

 

[walkinwood]

+1 for T-mobile


Our T-mobile plan (ONE for over 55) only offers 2G speeds abroad (other than Canada/Mexico), so we buy the monthly international pass for $50. Considering what we're spending on a trip abroad, that is pocket change. It works seamlessly.


The only disadvantage of using a US number abroad is when a local business - usually an uber driver - needs to contact you. They will not call an international number. They do have the option of messaging you in the app. Personally, I've never had an issue with this.
Friends abroad tend to use whatsapp to communicate, so that has never been an issue.

 

[mabuhay]

+1 for T-mobile Magenta Max 55+, comes with 5GB of high speed data (the reg Magenta plan does not) and unlimited data at slower speeds. For $65/mo it's a great deal. Just spent two months in Southeast Asia and it worked flawlessly. I also use local SIM cards when nec without issue and they are usually cheap, but having your own US number is priceless, especially for bank and email 2FA.

 

[explanade]

I pay $70 a month for 2 lines for +55 plan. I didn't upgrade to Magenta but one of the lines is One Plus or something like that to have extra data for hot spots.

Well I'm getting 5 GB of high speed roaming in Europe, first when I landed and Munich and now connecting through Munich to Spain. Got the texts both times.

 

[audreyh1]

Good to know. Working as expected.

 

[camfused]

I don't know if it has been mentioned here already, but does everyone know about the data-only esim trick? You buy a data-only esim for the country(s) you are going to (from Airalo or similar), set your phone up for WiFi calling (before you leave), and then when you get there, turn on the esim, and you can use your regular phone number to make/receive calls and texts. It works because your phone is in wifi calling mode, and it uses the data-only esim to get access to the internet.

It's nice because you keep your existing number and everything just works as if you are home. The down side is no local calls within the country you are visiting (they are international calls).

 

[rodi]

+1 for T-mobile


Our T-mobile plan (ONE for over 55) only offers 2G speeds abroad (other than Canada/Mexico), so we buy the monthly international pass for $50. Considering what we're spending on a trip abroad, that is pocket change. It works seamlessly.

This is what we have.

Didn't do anything special when I was in Mazatlan last week... I was just covered.

Leaving for Italy next week. Bought the int'l month for that. Have told our sons and our tenant that they should text or email... but if there is an emergency where they need to voice call, use whatsapp. If they want to video call there's google.

My sister, who will be watching our pooch, will use facebook messenger.

We'll have wifi at our various apartments... so we'll download any podcasts, etc while on wifi.

 

[sengsational]

It works because your phone is in wifi calling mode, and it uses the data-only esim to get access to the internet.

I can see how this would work if you had two phones. The data only SIM phone could turn on it's WiFi hotspot and the other phone could connect to the WiFi hotspot and make WiFi calls. I'm not sure how it would work with a single phone. Not saying it could not be made to work, just that I wouldn't know how to do it. But if there were documentation, I'd look at it.


I learned something fun the other day about cases where WiFi connections are expensive and only one device at a time is allowed to connect. Some phones allowed a Bluetooth hotspot. So while your WiFi radio is busily chatting away with the LAN with Internet access, you open up the Bluetooth radio for connections. Two concurrent devices (as long as you two devices are close enough together).

 

[camfused]

Yes, it actually does work with a single phone. It does not turn on the WiFi hotspot, the esim just provides a data connection, and the phone says "I can't talk to this cellular network, but gee, I have a data connection, so let me use WiFi calling". Very similar to being connected to WiFi at a hotel.

On the USMobile reddit, lots of folks are doing this. I plan on trying this myself when I go to Canada in June, and to Scotland in September.

$6 for a 7 day 1GB Canada esim, and $7.50 for a 15 day 2GB UK esim. Not bad.

 

[sengsational]

"I can't talk to this cellular network, but gee, I have a data connection, so let me use WiFi calling". Very similar to being connected to WiFi at a hotel.

Seems like that would be phone-specific software. It does sound like a cheap way to call, but I'd have a backup because you can't test it until you get to your destination, can you?

My phone let's me make calls over cell, if it has a connection, or WiFi, if it has a connection. I've not had a data-only SIM, so I don't know what it would look like in the UI on my phone (Moto Android). Probably sensitive to what version and phone brand, but since I'm going with Fi, not interested enough to dig. Good to know, though.