Roaming Add-on for the US

[surferdude]

i want to purchase a roaming add-on before i leave for the USA. i would like to purchase a call/text $15 add-on assuming that any data i have in my plan should work in the USA.

is this assumption valid? or am i  off base?

also, all the HORROR STORIES i am reading about the PM roaming service makes me second guess if i should waste the $15.

(can't wait to get an eSim phone and all of this goes away)

[BKNS27 · Accepted solution]

@surferdude 

Your assumption is incorrect…it comes down to operator error.

Purchase the US Roaming Add-on just before you leave to the US as the 15 days (360 hours) starts counting down when you complete the purchase of the Add-on.

You also can use WhatsApp or TextNow app for free WiFi calling and texting as a backup…lots of free WiFi in the US to connect.

[dust2dust]

Your assumption is invalid.
esim will not help roaming.
It IS a horror story because this place has severe restrictions on which devices they will enable for volte. Unless you have an iphone. Which makes this place the Public MFi Mobile provider.
Otherwise you will struggle to use talk. Hopefully your phone would automatically switch down to 2G GSM when connected to only T-Mobile. Or hopefully you can do it manually as some phones can't.

[softech]

@surferdude sorry, your assumption was wrong

your data with your current plan won't work in US.  If you need talk/text and data, you should get the $30 bundle

For using roaming in US, in fact, there are more GREAT STORIES out there.  Many "horror" stories were just the customers might not understand how to use the roaming services.  But it won't happen to you as we will give you all the information you need before your US trip:

 US data has a 15 days expiry, it will start right after the purchase is completed successfully.  So, you can wait till closer to your trip to buy it

Also, a reminder, when you are in US, make sure you try to connect to T-Mobile and AT&T network. If it does not connect automatically, then change the Network connection to manual and select try  T-Mobile and AT&T manuall.  

If you roaming purchase includes data, make sure you enable Roaming Mobile Data on your phone.  Change network mode to 4G/LTE  

If your roaming purchase includes voice, enable VoLTE on your device and you might be able to use VoLTE for voice.  But if not, your phone should change to 2G network on T-Mobile ONLY and test voice calls