US Roaming with a Samsung S10+

[Petee_C]

I'm wondering if I should buy the US Roaming package with 3GB of data for an upcoming week trip to the US (centered around Pigeon Forge, TN) crossing at Detroit MI  

or

buy a prepaid SIM from Amazon.

(I need my phone and Microsoft Authenticator & Duo Mobile Authenticator to work, as I have to work a 12hr shift during my time down there..)

I'm not sure if using a prepaid SIM will screw up my Authenticator?

*** EDIT: quick google search says MS Authenticator should still work even if I swap SIMS**

**EDIT: Duo mobile/cisco says "Changing SIM Card You will not need to reactivate Duo Mobile after just switching SIM cards because the app is tied to the phone's hardware security module (HSM). If changing the SIM card also required your phone number to change, see above."***

What do you suggest?

[dust2dust]

We would be curious to know if it wakes up the volte option in your phone. Another US service I have does. But this place refuses to enable it for here.

[JRod]

@Petee_C 

Enjoy your work trip, Safe travels! 

[Petee_C]

thx everyone.

I just ordered a Jethro 10gb 10 day SIM card from Amazon.  Should be here Thursday,  we leave Friday at noon.

you have been a great help, even if i didn't go with the PM Roam Add-ON

as an upside while I'm away,  no more annoying SPAM calls that PM doesnt filter out.

[dust2dust]

I would go the voip app route as suggested. You don't need your Public number. You just need to give A number.
Username JRod is correct as far as we know. No one has reported that a device that is volte capable on T-Mobile or AT&T will magically fire up the volte capability having the Public sim in with roaming talk paid for. I find that exceedingly unlikely.
You can check your phone by going to something like settings, about phone, status information, sim card status and looking at the mobile voice network type. It will likely say LTE. Then make a call and stay on it while you look at this screen again. It will likely change to UMTS. But let us know if it stays on LTE while on the call. If it stays on LTE then you have volte enabled on the phone.
It's not about the account. It's about the device. And this place is severely restrictive as to which devices it will allow to use volte.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Petee_C 

your phone has VoLTE feature

PM has it's own list of VoLTE and only selected phone can use VoLTE on PM's network

But your phone can use VoLTE on T-Mobile and AT&T

Some believe if your phone is not VoLTE allowed on PM, then it won't work for US roaming.  My source who works in Telus said no.  As long as your have a VoLTE phone that allows on T-Mobile and AT&T, then it can use VoLTE while you roam on those US networks.   So, it is nice if you can confirm if you are buying US roaming. 

But just in case it does not work, you can still fall back to the 2G network on T-Mobile and it will work.  Or you can use VoIP app TextNow to make calls using mobile data

[JRod]

@Petee_C 

VoLTE compatibility is set by the carrier. So despite your phone being VoLTE compatible it’s up to your carrier to support it and Public Mobile does not for your specific device. So as long as you are using a Public Mobile SIM card your device will not have VoLTE as they haven’t enabled your phone for “VoLTE roaming” which would enable VoLTE compatibility for you in the US. You would still have service while in the US with a roaming add-on, but I’d hate for your call experience to be dodgy simply because you are using it for work while you are there and need to be able to receive calls. 2G GSM works great is some areas but might not work so great in others.

But if you threw in a SIM card from AT&T or T-Mobile they would offer different support and you’d likely have a better experience while you were away and most likely wouldn’t be stuck on 2G GSM for phone calls. 

[Petee_C]

actually been perusing the Jethro website,  $40 for 10GB on amazon dot ca, here before I leave....  will look up tello mobile as well

[Petee_C]

@JRod I'm confused,  Google says the Samsung s10plus is voLTE compatible, but it's not on the link you posted....
I've been on PM for about a year,  I got the Black Friday deal 20GB data/$35 month x 15 months.

I did send a PM to CS_Agent to activate voLTE on my account because I was heading to the US, but good chance, I don't know what I am talking about.

[hTideGnow]

@JRod yes, I understand S10 is not VoLTE enabled, but OP account is already VoLTE enabled

For US roaming, according to a technician work in Telus, as long as the account is VoLTE enabled, even the device is not VoLTE enabled with PM,  it will work as long as it is VoLTE enabled with T-Mobile and AT&T.  Why?. because the voice calls is a connection between the device and US network during roaming, it has nothing to do with PM network.  

Of course, it would be best if more people can confirm it for us

[hTideGnow]

HI @Petee_C 

for the route call problem, try download VoIP app, TextNow.  When you register , pick a phone number in your area code and have your hospital to try to route the call to TextNow number.  As long as you have Mobile data or wifi, TextNow will work

For US data sim, try Tello Mobile. or Jethro

[JRod]

@hTideGnow 

His phone is not VoLTE roaming enabled with Public Mobile so as long as he is connecting to AT&T or T-Mobile with a Public Mobile SIM card his phone will not have VoLTE compatibility and he will not be able to make and receive calls unless he uses T-Mobile.

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

@Petee_C  T-Mobile has good coverage but due to the fact that you will not have VoLTE enabled with Public Mobile service can be dodgy depending on the area with 2G GSM service and is something that is being shut down next April. I’d highly recommend going the prepaid SIM route.

[Petee_C]

thx for the reply.

any suggestions for US travel sim cards?  Is it T-mobile that has bad coverage? Their coverage map looks mostly complete for the US, or does PM only buy a " lower G" package?

The 1st few 'prepaid SIM cards' on Amazon are mostly T-Mobile

[Petee_C]

thx.  for the phone calls for work , I enter my number into a system at the start of my shift, and the hospitals call a 1800# and they get routed to me.  They never know my actual phone number.

I will look at prepaid SIMS.... the amount of bad press I see on this forum about US roaming has me worried, although I will be in a hotel when working so I can use their wifi.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Petee_C 

your phone is in fact VoLTE compatible on T-Mobile and AT&T.  Even it is not VoLTE compatible with PM, roaming is only about your phone and the US network, so, it could work.  If you are getting roaming package, test VoLTE on both networks and let us know.  But, remember, you can always fall back to T-Mobile 2G in case VoLTE does not work

[JRod]

@Petee_C 

If you need people to be able to contact you using your phone number then the Roaming Add-on will be best for that.

However your phone is not VoLTE compatible with Public Mobile so you will have to connect to T-Mobile in order to be able to make and receive calls while you are in the states.

If calls do not work change your voice and data setting to 2G GSM. The only downside is in some areas the 2G coverage isn’t as good as it’s a network that is slowly being shut down and will be permanently gone from T-Mobile in April 2024.

If it’s just an Authenticator app it shouldn’t be an issue to be using a different SIM card unless it’s needing to send codes to your number. So if that isn’t the case and you don’t need to receive calls on your normal number then the travel SIM might be a better option for you. 

[hTideGnow]

HI @Petee_C 

both works

your S10 will for sure work with data on T-Mobile or AT&T.  
Voice call might work, but depends  if VoLTE works on T-Mobile or AT&T.  But you an also try 2G on T-mobile

You can also use local data sim, could be easier, and cheaper