topic Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming? in The Lounge

Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

JONMILLS — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:31:27 GMT

Anyone have any recommendations for using my phone in the UK as public mobile only does roaming for usa.

I've heard of e-sims not sure how they work.

I've used in the past a sim card i got on amazon but was a bit of a hassle and with postal strikes waiting on stuff is behind

Any ideas? Companies you recommend? Prices?

I need it for around 9 days.

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

hTideGnow — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:31:06 GMT

hi @JONMILLS

yes, PM has no roaming in UK

best travel esim is Airalo

or you can check local data sim. Three and Lebara are both good

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

Rastin — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:44:25 GMT

You could use WhatsApp or text now If wifi is available.

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

JONMILLS — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:49:14 GMT

Oh thats a good idea for that but i need to be able to have data to use my maps

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

JONMILLS — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:50:26 GMT

Does Airalo give you data?

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

hTideGnow — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:56:30 GMT

yes, that is travel esim and only gives you data, no voice call or text

but you can use VoIP app like Fongo and TextNow for text and voice with the data

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

coliarny — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 22:32:36 GMT

Just want to add that you also need to change your network to the local network. I found that out traveling to the US and i could text but not make phone calls. I hadn't changed the network, so I know for next time. And I also agree with the airalo (eim) for data. Just download the app and it's very easy and affordable.

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

hTideGnow — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:33:53 GMT

hi @coliarny the voice call problem is related with VOLTE. You need to have a phone on PM's VoLTE whitelist to have voice service in US as US has decommissioned the 3G network

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

coliarny — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:45:22 GMT

oh my can you explain the VoLtE whitelist? So frustrating that my whole family that uses non pm plans all have full use of their phones and I just can't seem to get it together.

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

hTideGnow — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:49:05 GMT

hi @coliarny here is the whitelist

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/volte

Re: Traveling to UK from Ontario - What to use for Roaming?

MadDog927 — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:08:33 GMT

eSIMs are great if your phone supports them. I have a Pixel 6 Pro which can take a physical SIM, but can also download virtual SIM files. In my phone's settings, I can turn on the SIM for the country I'm visiting, and then switch back when I get home.eSIMs