WiFi/Data based solution for international roaming

[imm1304]

While international roaming is not being offered as Public Mobile is a pre-paid service, how realistic is it to set up an app that will allow us to use call and/or sms features over wifi?

It may be simpler to set up compared to negotiating agreements with foreign carriers.  This could also meet some of the basic phone needs of PM customers while travelling abroad.  Those with a dual-sim handset can keep their PM number active while using data from a local sim in the second slot.  

[imm1304]

This can also work for the province-wide talk subscribers when they go out of province, they can choose to use their data allowance to make/receive calls.  

[vrance]

Hi I think the suggestion is similar to what US T-mobile offers for WiFi calling.  If Public Mobile (or even Telus) has the technology to offer it, it will not only be outside your calling area, but some areas with very weak cellular phone signal (like basement or rural area).  This will be a very good advantage against the other carriers in Canada.  Just not sure how difficult it is to implement.

[deltatux]

@imm1304, Fongo is one solution that works now. Just forward your Public Mobile phone number to a Fongo number and presto, free WiFi calling app that works anywhere in the world and you can dial at your leisure as if you were in Canada when abroad.

While I do agree with having the option to pipe things through WiFi & data, just like how Republic Wireless works in the States, I don't think Public Mobile will champion this kind of initiative as it costs a boat load of money to implement.

[imm1304]

@deltatux, fongo is a good alternative.  

I am not aware of the costs associated with implementing this idea.. hence thinking out loud and putting it out there 🙂  

Thanks for your feedback.  

[chukdefatey]

^To get a Fongo (AKA Dell Voice) or freephoneline.ca or com cost $0 every 10 years ( its free I am just trying to be funny) & you get to pick a number of your choice from most of Canada and Calling/ Call Forwarding is Free to most of Canada. So you just forward you PM number to your Fongo Number and you use the Fongo AP over Data or WiFi anywhere in the World. FYI: There are lot of other Alternatives EG. Hangouts, Skype, Google Voice etc

[makkahn28]

I think PM should honestly Reconsider resuscitating Roaming as part of the Gameplan. Hoping PM can refuel this.

If they treated it as an Add-On, and/or a Daypass/5Day/7Day/2wk/30day pass wouldn't be the end of the world. Plus if a PM Guest client did NOT have Purchase this prior, would NOT be able to roam without purchasing one of these would prevent Accidental roamings, Zero/0 Overages, would that be too much to ask at very least?

[imm1304]

@chukdefatey, @deltatux, Fongo being free and letting you pick your own number makes me wonder that it can't be very expensive to offer such a service.  With fongo, you would get a second number.. if the PM offered it, then only one number for both.. I think its reasonable idea.. a more convenient option which could make PM more competitive.  Of course, this is all just un-educated guesses from me 🙂

@makkahn28 yes sir, you are right about reviving the roaming options.

[deltatux]

@imm1304: being able to route voice calls via WiFi and cellular is. If you wish to maintain the same phone number you have now on WiFi and cellular, there are added costs. Fongo is a pure VOIP app whereas Public Mobile (and TELUS, TELUS needs to do the backend) would need the infrastructure to terminate voice calls via their app and the towers. I understand it's for roaming but the system still needs to be implemented for that. It could be cheaper to implement now, but from what I understand, it's not as cheap as some may think.

Rogers has a similar solution  via their Rogers One number system, but not sure if TELUS/Public Mobile will pursue that route.

[Chicklets]

You don't need to port your number to fongo. There is a pure voip service called Viber which uses your mobile number to identify you. You can call other Viber users for free but there is a small charge to call others. It starts at 1.9 cent per minute and up. The beauty of this app is, that it uses your own mobile number and is displayed when you call out to anyone . http://www.viber.com/en/

[deltatux]

@Chicklets, problem with Viber, like with Hangouts is that you can call out and it uses your phone number to identify you on regular landlines/mobile calls but they can't call you back on those numbers to your Viber/Hangouts accounts.

In the future, maybe 10-15 years down the line, people will replace traditional voice service with VOIP/VOIM systems like Fongo, Google Voice (if it ever gets here), Hangouts, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, BBM, et al. but for now to have compatibility with traditional voice service, Viber isn't going to cut it.