Roaming Experiences

[Cheetah24]

Hi everyone, 

I am starting this thread in order to gather your experiences and workaround regarding PM roaming. Now when I say roaming, I am talking about non-US based roaming. I will be going to Europe recently and looking for a cheap and reliable way to communicate. 

I would like to know if you are going to a country other than US what do you guys use as the workaround (since PM does not offer roaming) ? Is there any forwarding apps you use? Or do you know any SIM card that works well in other countries? 

Anything you can write on this matter will be appreciated. 🙂 🙂

Thank you.

[mimmo]

@Cheetah24  yes just remember to forward to fongo before you leave canada (if outside canada/usa) you will not be able to forward your number anymore.

[LEGO]

@Luddite, @Cheetah24

Fongo Mobile Referral

1. Have the person you referred download the Fongo Mobile app
2. During the signup process, they will be asked if they were referred. They need to input YOUR Fongo phone number
3. Once they purchase any of our texting packages, you will be credited with 1 month of Canadian SMS for FREE! (may take 24 hours to process)
4. Once they purchase any amount of World Credits, you will be credited with 25 cents worth of World Credits for FREE! (may take 24 hours to process)

[Cheetah24]

Thanks; that explains it 🙂

[LEGO]

@Cheetah24 Please, read this: Travelling With Fongo > Connecting With Canada While Abroad

[Cheetah24]

@mimmo: I was looking at Fongo and tell me if I am correct. You are suggesting to forwared my public mobile number to a Fongo number, correct? But can Fongo be used from Europe? I didn't find much documentation about how (or whether it's possible) to use Fongo from other than Canada. 🙂

[Cheetah24]

Thanks for all your suggessions. 🙂 

@mimmo: I am going to UK for a week or so, but I started the thread with the hope of getting all experiences related to roaming. Also in the future I might go to India for a while as well. So I was wondering whether there's some generic approach people use irrespective of the country you are planning to visit. 

@Luddite: Thanks for the offer. I'll be going at the end of the year and I'll private message you in a couple of months when things gets confirmed. 🙂

[Lochness88]

If your phone is unlocked get a SIM card from them and a cheap plan because they have a lot of cheaper plans than what we do. That’s what I do makes it easier. Or if your going to be around wifi most phones now can do wifi calling or you can call through Facebook on wifi too (my mom used Facebook to call us when she was in  Australia) 

[Luddite]

@Cheetah24 If giffgaff is your preferred option send me a privae message. I can get you a SIM that gives us both a £5 credit when activated. As srlawren points out though, it's really only a good deal when used in the UK. Though I do keep a giffgaff account active as my total emergency sevice if Telus ever goes dark for a few days. 

[srlawren]

---

@NDesai wrote:

https://www.giffgaff.com/ is another one @Luddite always recommends.

---

@NDesai yeah I looked into them for my summer trip, but the problem for me is I land in Paris for the first week or so and then going to London.  Giffgaff in their fair usage section tells you that upon first activation, your EU roaming isn't enabled until after some usage within the UK.  So it won't work for me unfortunately.  If you're starting your trip in the UK though, they appear to be great!  In fact, pretty much all of the UK providers seem to offer pay as you go or pre-paid SIM plans that are amazing deals.  We really DO get the shaft over here!  

I'm leaning toward using "LeFrench Mobile" service at the moment.  They are based in France and operate on the Orange network there, but they cater to tourists and have customer service in several languages including English, which is nice.  They have a 19 Euro SIM + EU Data bundle (I'm mostly looking for data only) that is valid for 90 days (I only need 17 or so but hey) and includes 2GB of data for use in France and several EU countries, including the UK.  

May end up going with one of the "international" travel providers instead (e.g. KnowRoaming, FreedomPop, ChatSIM, travSIM, GigSky, Telestial, etc).  Not totally sure yet!

[mimmo]

@Cheetah24where are you going and for how long?  I know teh EU got rid of european roaming lateley so one number works in all of europe without extra charges ( i used to buy a sims in each country)

if you go to shownotes.ca/ and click travel tips (left side)  there are some useful links/info about traveling. 

[smp99]

Get a local SIM when you arrive.

Fongo for calls - set up a local (your home town) Fongo number and forward your PM number to that just before you leave. You can also get Google hangouts for making outbound calls to Cda/USA. You can even have Hangouts use your PM number as the CallerID that others see. This also has to be set up before you leave.

For SMS, If most of your contacts are iPhone, iMessage will work over data. Or if you only need a few contacts while overseas, WhatsApp will work fine. Your key contacts will also need WhatsApp but its simple and it works well. 

Using a local sim also has the benefits that you get a number local to the country you are in. That works well if you need to contact some local shop/restaurant or if send text to an airB&B landlord or something. Sometimes they cannot text a Cdn number.

[Cheetah24]

Thanks for all your input. I think I'll go through each one you guys mentioned and select one. 🙂

[NDesai]

https://www.giffgaff.com/ is another one @Luddite always recommends.

[will13am]

I have a friend who is spending a lot of time in the UK and he is using Lebara which is a prepaid service. 

https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/

[mimmo]

There are a couple options.  For Europe I always get a local sim by far cheaper option for you and if locals want to call you.

For you pm sim. Before leaving Canada forward you number to a free fongo number.  Download the app and you will get calls and voicemail on your phone.

For sms you need a spair Android phone install a sms forward app and put your sim in the old phone and keep it plugged in and on.  Sms can be forwarded to fongo or to email.

For Apple and sms I think there are workarounds but not sure.

[Korade]

Hi Suds,

In my experience, it is usually better to go for a prepaid SIM card/plan, especially for Europe. Depending on where you go, plans tend to be cheaper and give you plenty to work with, and some data. Will you be visiting one country or multiple? If one, I would definitely go prepaid, that will get you the best bang for your back.

Good luck!

Korade