International Roaming

[kwhite64]

I am aware that Public Mobile does not have roaming other than the US add on.  

Increasingly various secure (banking especially) websites are asking for two step verification and send a code by text to my phone so I can access the site. 

This means that when I travel again I will run into big problems when trying to access any of these sites as any texts sent with a verification code will not reach me.  

Does anyone have a workaround or a solution for this?  This is going to be a BIG problem for me.... 

[Nezgar]

@DennyCrane If you are diligent and either leave the phone at home prior to departing Canada, ensure the phone stays in Airplane mode for your entire duration of time in the USA, or remove the SIM entirely to ensure that your SIM never registers with a US tower, indeed calls will continue to route to voicemail as normal.

As soon as your PM SIM registers with a US tower, without a talk roaming add-on the US network will not process or forward incoming calls, even to voicemail. It is indeed a bit of a dilemma, because you need to have your phone on in order to receive the free incoming texts while in the US. Indeed, this behaviour is different than what you would expect with flagship Telus,Rogers,Bell, etc plans.

The workaround is cheap though - the "US Roaming - Unlimited Talk (10-day)" add-on is only $8. Then you can take calls, or ignore them and still have them go to voicemail, while still being able to receive (not send) texts.

[DennyCrane]

Thank you this is really helpful.

One clarification though. Calls won't even go to voicemail while in the US (if no roaming package)? That seems really odd to me. Wouldn't it just assume the phone was off/at home and allow callers to leave a message? I get that you wouldn't be able to access it from your phone while roaming, but I would think the message could sit there though. I'm brand new to PM though, so I acknowledge my past experience may not be relevant here. 

[computergeek541]

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@DennyCrane wrote:

I saw im another thread that for the US you can still receive texts even if you don't have a roaming add-on. This would align with other post-paid carriers whereby incoming text messages are free in any country.

Would the same concept apply to PM as well? In other words you could receive a text but not be able to send? Or is it not the same because there's no roaming agreement at all? I would think PM would have access to all of TELUS' roaming partners in this context, but I could also see TELUS disabling access altogether. 

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I suspect that you already know that the roaming agreements are beteween Telus and the other carrier.

As @Anonymous was saying, you can receive SMS messages while in the U.S. without a roaming add-on, and you're correct in tyour assumption that you would not be able to send any unless having a roaming  package.

As for other countries other than the U.S., there is no roaming available in any other country.

[Nezgar]

@DennyCrane 

You are correct - PM allows receiving texts while roaming - but the USA is the ONLY country where this works. Any other country your PM SIM will receive no service at all, not even incoming texts.

Even in the US, while incoming texts may work without a text roaming add-on, incoming calls will not work at all, not even go to voicemail without a USA talk roaming add-on. This also deviates from post-paid carriers. However, the roaming plans can be much cheaper overall compared to $8ish per day from post-paid carriers for even one sent text or phone call...

[Anonymous]

 @DennyCrane : Just the US.

[DennyCrane]

I saw im another thread that for the US you can still receive texts even if you don't have a roaming add-on. This would align with other post-paid carriers whereby incoming text messages are free in any country.

Would the same concept apply to PM as well? In other words you could receive a text but not be able to send? Or is it not the same because there's no roaming agreement at all? I would think PM would have access to all of TELUS' roaming partners in this context, but I could also see TELUS disabling access altogether. 

[Pawprints1986]

It is my wish that one day public will be able to offer international roam. Even if it's very pricey on our end, that peace of mind could be worth it for many

... I know I've voiced this before and I know it won't happen but... One can wish right?

If chatr can why doesn't public and lucky also offer to compete? 

Not an issue at all for me for now but, I know some in non covid travel often and it would help them huge

[Werden203]

I have had this happen when I wanted to transfer money to a new contact while I was in Italy. I had told the bank ahead of time that I would be travelling and that helped a lot. I called the customer service line and had them do it for me over the phone. In other instance, I chose to have the verification code for the two-step process called to me by an automated voice system. I just chose this open, waited a minute, then retrieved my voicemail left by my bank. I used a calling card and a landline to retrieve my voicemail from my cell phone answering service. It worked well. Where I have had more trouble is with logging into my Gmail without my phone while overseas. I never did find a way.

[helenhelen]

don't they usually allow you to use email to do 2-step verification too?

[harshad]

Thank you very much. Appreciate the insights. 

[darlicious]

@harshad 

Just in case you're not following along.....from your original thread @Nezgar is the expert in this area.....

[Nezgar]

• https://www.textnow.com/how-it-works - Free (new) Canadian number you can use to send/receive calls and SMS over Wi-Fi.
• https://wiki.voip.ms/article/SMS - voip.ms currently has free texting/SMS if you purchase a DID
• https://jmp.chat/ - Cheap open-source texting and phone call service
• Fongo as previously mentioned

You can forward your Public Mobile number to one of these services before you leave Canada, for voice calls, but SMS will have to be sent directly to your new number provided by one of these types of services.

[popping · Accepted solution]

I tested Fongo and it works getting text message from online 2FA text.

[harshad]

A lot of wifi texting apps do not support verification services. Chatr remains the only service provider on the prepaid spectrum that allows IR! 

[geopublic]

@kwhite64  Most banks have a workaround solution for cases when travelling. Best to call your bank and ask. If they don't, just disable it for the time your are away.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps a wifi texting app. Give the bank that number. Connect to wifi. Get text. Log in.

Someone else can pipe in with any security problems.