topic Re: International Roaming in Get Support

International Roaming

cobb87 — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:37:44 GMT

Does anyone know if Public has international roaming (outside of North America)?

Thanks

Re: International Roaming

ShawnC13 — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:06:24 GMT

@cobb87 wrote:
Hi

Does anyone know if Public has international roaming (outside of North America)?

Thanks

No they do not have international Roaming outside of North America

Re: International Roaming

LEGO — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:07:24 GMT

US and Canada only.

Re: International Roaming

koimr1 — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:35:35 GMT

@cobb87 wrote:
Hi

Does anyone know if Public has international roaming (outside of North America)?

Thanks

What @ShawnC13 and @LEGO said. 🙂

The easiest alternative would be to set yourself up with something like Fongo (VOIP app) then, before you leave Canada, forward your number to the Fongo number.

When you are at your destination you can either rely on wifi being available and/or get a local SIM and plan that has mobile data. Also something like KnowRoaming will work too.

This won't help with text messages but it should be able to handling incoming calls to your PM number. You can also call out using Fongo too but your recipient will see your Fongo number on their call display, not your PM number (if that's a concern at all).

Re: International Roaming

cobb87 — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:49:55 GMT

Perfect. Thanks everyone.

I do have a KnowRoaming SIM so I'll most likely have the calls forwarded to that number.

There is no solution for 'forwarding' SMS or receiving them while overseas correct?

Re: International Roaming

koimr1 — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:58:55 GMT

@cobb87 wrote:
Perfect. Thanks everyone.
I do have a KnowRoaming SIM so I'll most likely have the calls forwarded to that number.
There is no solution for 'forwarding' SMS or receiving them while overseas correct?

That's correct.

Well... there's apps like Sms Forwarder that claim to do so however you'd need to leave a phone with your Public SIM back in Canada and make sure it stays on. Tasker should be able to do this as well. This is for Android, not sure if possible with IOS.

I don't have any experience with those, however. Luckily I've managed to convince most of my contacts to use something other than SMS for instant messaging (everybody has Facebook Messenger it seems anyway).

Re: International Roaming

wetcoaster — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:01:14 GMT

@cobb87 wrote:
Perfect. Thanks everyone.
I do have a KnowRoaming SIM so I'll most likely have the calls forwarded to that number.
There is no solution for 'forwarding' SMS or receiving them while overseas correct?

Keep in mind that Public Mobile only allows call forwarding to Canadian numbers covered by your plan. (and doesn't offer text forwarding)

Re: International Roaming

koimr1 — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:20:02 GMT

@wetcoaster wrote:
Keep in mind that Public Mobile only allows call forwarding to Canadian numbers covered by your plan. (and doesn't offer text forwarding)

Oh that's right, I forgot that - @cobb87 you won't be able to forward to your KnowRoaming number. But you can still forward to Fongo and as long as your KnowRoaming plan has data you'd still be able to get those calls.

Too bad people here in North America don't use WhatsApp - if I recall correctly when I went abroad last year KnowRoaming had free WhatsApp data - I think even one hotel listed their WhatsApp contact info ahead of the usual phone number. 🙂

Re: International Roaming

cobb87 — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 23:29:42 GMT

Thanks everyone for all your help, really appreciate it.

So even though my plan includes unlimited minutes to the US, I can still only forward calls to a Canadian number?

Thankfully most of my family here does use WhatsApp, and KnowRoaming was awesome for that on a trip in the fall. I just need to be able to access my SMS' since it's also the number for my business.

But I will look into those apps suggested.

Re: International Roaming

jp2 — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 23:40:37 GMT

If your plan includes calling to the US I think you should be able to forward to a US or Canadian number but I'm not 100% sure

Re: International Roaming

koimr1 — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:06:12 GMT

@jp2 wrote:
If your plan includes calling to the US I think you should be able to forward to a US or Canadian number but I'm not 100% sure

And @cobb87 too!

Unless something has changed since this post it's still not possible to forward to a US number:

Call forwarding to US phone number

Re: International Roaming

jp2 — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:17:57 GMT

@koimr1 wrote:
@jp2 wrote:
If your plan includes calling to the US I think you should be able to forward to a US or Canadian number but I'm not 100% sure
And @cobb87 too!

Unless something has changed since this post it's still not possible to forward to a US number:

Call forwarding to US phone number

Good catch

Re: International Roaming

skifan — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:16:46 GMT

@koimr1 On a recent trip to South Africa via Hong Kong, employing Wifi along the way ( at various hotels, coffee shops, etc), I was unable to successfully use Fongo to complete a call. I modified the various Fongo settings as suggested in their help section but all to no avail. Accordingly, I would personally be wary of recommending Fongo as an exclusive source of contact in select parts of the world.

What did work really well, at least for placing calls outbound, was using Google ~~Chat~~ Hangouts. Before leaving, I added my Canadian cell as the outbound calling ID. Thus anyone I called could see it was me and not some 'unknown' number which might be ingnored. Incoming calls are a different matter though so an alternative plan would have to be arranged.

WhatsApp might be a good alternative as suggested above.

edit: Meant Google Hangouts.

Re: International Roaming

koimr1 — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 18:23:45 GMT

@skifan wrote:
@koimr1 On a recent to South Africa via Hong Kong, employing Wifi along the way ( at various hotels, coffee shops, etc), I was unable to successfully use Fongo to complete a call. I modified the various Fongo settings as suggested in their help section but all to no avail. Accordingly, I would personally be wary of recommending Fongo as an exclusive source of contact in select parts of the world.

What did work really well, at least for placing calls outbound was using Google Chat, Before leaving, I added my Canadian cell as the outbound calling ID. Thus anyone I called could see it was me and not some 'unknown' number which might be ingnored. Incoming calls are a different matter though so an alternative plan would have to be arranged.

WhatsApp might be a good alternative as suggested above.

Oh that's too bad. I was able to use Fongo via both wifi and local SIM data last year in Germany/Austria/Hungary/Czech Rep without incident.

If the other choices worked then great! More options to be considered! 🙂

Re: International Roaming

cobb87 — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 23:03:02 GMT

That's actually where I'm headed, South Africa. 😛

Also, I just found out that you can purchase a Canadian number on KnowRoaming under the 'purchase service' tab. It's only $3. At least I have the call forwarding figured out now.

Re: International Roaming

skifan — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:27:57 GMT

@cobb87 wrote:
That's actually where I'm headed, South Africa. 😛

SA is an awesome place to visit....although one does have to keep one's security in mind. Keep your passport on you at all times.....if it gets lost or stolen....big problems.

FYI: As for purchasing a local SIM:

Be aware of something called R.I.C.A. which is a regulation enforced by the Government of SA. Those who wish to purchase a local SIM will, at the time of purchase, need to supply their passport and proof of where they’re staying during their time in SA. This is relatively straightforward if you’re staying at a formal place of accommodation; simply print proof of your reservation on a letterhead. However, if staying with friends or in informal accommodation (like a house swap), you’ll need an affidavit from the local property owner or tenant stating that you’ll be residing temporarily at the said address.

Re: International Roaming

Hewi16193 — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 22:02:43 GMT

There is no plans as of right now that include international roaming

Re: International Roaming

Moogie — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:42:26 GMT

ooooo, how did you do that? Didn't think we could in Canada for G Hangouts...

Re: International Roaming

srlawren — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 21:15:12 GMT

@Moogie wrote:
ooooo, how did you do that? Didn't think we could in Canada for G Hangouts...

@Moogie how did who do what? You didn't really give much context here. You didn't think we could do what for Hangout in Canada?

Re: International Roaming

Carld123 — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 21:31:10 GMT

I was thinking the same thing

..how did who do what?

..why did they do that?

..and can I do the same?..😀