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Replies
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267
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Last Post
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Jan 8, 2008 11:41 AM
by: Craig Kerr
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Posts:
4
Registered:
Sep 2, 2006
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Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 5, 2007 11:26 AM
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I travel a lot and change out my sim card so I can afford to stay in touch. Does anyone know if ATT have agreements overseas with any carriers that will allow you to do this?
Macbook 1.83 GHz
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Posts:
17,080
From:
The Kingdom of Far, Far Away
Registered:
Jul 31, 2000
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 5, 2007 11:27 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Solved
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You cannot use another carrier's SIM card in an iPhone. You'll have to get set up for international roaming and use whatever roaming affiliates AT&T has set up.
Mac Pro 2.66Ghz 2GB
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344
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Jul 2, 2007
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Posts:
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Jan 8, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 7:47 AM
in response to: AymR
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I just activated my international roaming. Another "feature" which ATT alerted me to is that if I receive ANY calls - even if I ignore them and let them go to voicemail, I will be charged the international roaming rate.
This is completely unacceptable. I have used international roaming with other companies (read T-Mobile) and this is not how it's done. Why should I be charged for ignoring a call. The rep suggested I turn off the phone when I'm not using it to avoid calls. But what if there are calls I WANT TO RECEIVE?!!!
We need to call attention to this "feature" - as it is complete BS.
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Posts:
18
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Mar 22, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 13, 2007 7:44 AM
in response to: dMorrow
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What the AT&T Representative did not tell you is that even if you turn off the phone it will go to voice mail and then you will still be charged. This happens as long as you turn on your phone and it registers on the roaming country network. If you are roaming the best bet advice is to deactivate voice mail when you are travelling and only accept the calls you need. But be warned again.. If roaming in Asia, your caller ID does not work all the time. So you are in no better a position. AT&T roaming is really terrible. Apple may wish to change the exclusive agreement they have with AT&T and get the good stuff on to other networks. The poor service one gets from AT&T will dig into the popularity of the phone and limit their ability to get the 10 million sale they want.
MacBook Pro 15'
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
2
From:
USA
Registered:
Aug 13, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 13, 2007 2:10 PM
in response to: GaijinSLU
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How do you deactivate voice mail on an iphone. I just went to the 'phone' settings and could not see a way to do this. Thanks!
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Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
18
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Mar 22, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 22, 2007 7:19 AM
in response to: swayne1111
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You're going to have to get the voice mail deactivated from the AT&T store. I am not certain what they can do since the system with the iPhone is all new so please enquire. Good luck.
MacBook Pro 15'
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Posts:
1
From:
United States
Registered:
Aug 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 10:09 AM
in response to: GaijinSLU
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You are 100% INCORRECT. When you turn your phone on it registers with the GSM network it connects with...when you turn your phone off...or place it in airplane mode it will de-register, defaulting back to your home settings. I know this because I'm in Delhi, India right now and made 100% certain this was the case before i traveled here with my iPhone. So, occasionally I turn the phone out of airplane moded to receive my text messages, which even if overseas are part of your home plan, and see who left voicemails. Then I go right back to airplane mode.
Apple Powerbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
18
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Mar 22, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 6:21 PM
in response to: thossessess
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Wow someone has the need to be correct. Lets get back to the problem at hand. Explain then why someone is charged for calls that go to voice mail and even if phone is off you (including me) you get charged for calls that went to voice mail when the phone was off whilst roaming.
I don't mind being INCORRECT just offer an explaination for this. We aren't speaking about airplane mode or text messages.
Can someone get the official word from AT&T rather than all this speculation on what the facts really are?
MacBook Pro 15'
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Posts:
81
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Sep 15, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 11:53 PM
in response to: GaijinSLU
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It appears the above poster asked ATT directly, and that's the best info on this you can get.
There is no technical reason voice mail should EVER incur roaming charges - the actual, physical storage for the voice mail is back home in the USA after all. So when the voice mail kicks in, and the originating call is from the USA, it's all inside AT&T's network. Just ringing someone does not incur any charges even if roaming.
Maybe the OP misunderstood and ATT charges you roaming when you are checking your voicemail which would make more sense because that call goes over the roaming partner's network.
The fact that you pay roaming for incoming calls when outside the country is also very normal. That happens with every carrier. The main reason for the outrageous international roaming charges is that operators in all countries are extremely greedy and are in the habit of charging each others international roaming clients crazy amounts of money. The EU had to regulate the maximum allowable roaming fee inside the EU to curb the greed. Before that you'd go 100 miles and suddenly be in Italy and pay $2/minute for incoming and outgoing.
I also know some inside info on why roaming charges used to be so expensive - that's because the billing systems are extremely complex and not working very well. They are very buggy. And that's just for home customers. Add international roaming, and the complexity / number of errors spirals out of control. Now the operators have had decades to fix this but haven't because they are perfectly happy with overcharging people, so this is no excuse - merely an explanation how the roaming charges got so high to begin with.
MacBook Pro 2.2Ghz 4GB RAM 200GB/7200
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Hitachi 7k200
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Posts:
2
From:
Florida
Registered:
Sep 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 29, 2007 9:45 AM
in response to: Nikolaus Heger
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To All;
The bottom line is this: You entered a service agreement with ATT. Pay for those services and stop looking for a free ride. If you don't like it, then get rid of ATT/iPhone and suffer the consequences by using another phone with another carrier that will give you all the free rides you seek. Nothing in life is free, there is a price to pay for it.
Mac Cube
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
8
From:
Colorado USA
Registered:
Oct 11, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 30, 2007 7:53 AM
in response to: maczones
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here,here. That's the problem of iPhone. Locking only to AT&T. So when you travel overseas, you can't change your sim to use local sims. So if you don't like to pay then get ride of AT&T and iphone and get an "unlocked quadband phone" that allows you to switch sim
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Posts:
1
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Sep 20, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 20, 2007 5:45 AM
in response to: GaijinSLU
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The reason you are charged for your call, even if you don't answer it is because the agreement att has with overseas carriers allows this. Cingular agreed to these terms in the beginning, because this is all that was offered to them. however Att is developing international network, so shortly things could change.
pc
Windows Vista
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Jul 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 13, 2007 5:17 AM
in response to: thossessess
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Hi thossessess,
I want to understand fully what you have explained. If I keep my iphone in airplane mode I won't be charged any at&t fees? I plan on using my razr and airtel for ALL phoning, like I have in the past, and only use my iphone for podcasts and photos. I haven't played with text messaging, but clearly that is different than emailing from the iphone? Yes, I know these questions make me sound stupid. Please help. I leave for Pune at the end of the month.
Thanks,
suzie
iMac G5
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 13, 2007 5:35 AM
in response to: suzieyoga
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Go under settings>phone> sim pin and put in a pin for your sim card/ When you turn on your iphone your at&t sim card won't be active and you will not be charged for data/edge/phone calls etc....
I understand that the latest update will allow you to disable EDGE which is great.
When you are in an area with WIFI, you will be able to get your e-mail and surf the web. This, of course, is if it's either free or you pay the connect fee....
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Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Apr 26, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 24, 2007 9:34 AM
in response to: thossessess
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youre right man
eMac G4 1.25 GHz
Mac OS X (10.3.9)
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Posts:
1
From:
Florida
Registered:
Oct 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 7, 2007 6:46 PM
in response to: GaijinSLU
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Don't beat up at&t. Sure they have faults. They have been very good to me on roaming charges. Recently I had (still do) have issues when my wife is overseas, calls going straight to her message service options - not her message service leave a message.
They credited over $250 for these problems, no dispute or trying to weasel their way out. Simply any 1minute call was credited.
I contatced them when I had an issue, it took a few mintes of my time, had the problem logged onto my account.
You could be with Sprint and have your service cancelled because you are a complainer.
Toshiba Satellite
Windows XP
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Posts:
1
From:
New York
Registered:
Aug 16, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 9:37 AM
in response to: dMorrow
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I have bad news for you. I used to be on T-mobile, and I had the same problem. In fact it is when I discovered that U.S. carriers do this. In effect they are charging us for putting a call through to us on another carrier's network. From their perspective it makes sense. But to me it was, and IS offensive. But once you read the fine print in the contract, you realize just how vaguely it is put, and there is virtually nothing we can do about it. Just like the fact that carriers overcharge us when we go internationally. Do we really have to pay $1+ per minute, when they could still make a large profit at $0.20 or so per minute. This would induce us to use our phones much more overseas, and avoid looking for more reasonable calling alternatives (foreign sim cards, or calling cards etc.).
PC
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
8
From:
California
Registered:
Sep 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 27, 2007 6:26 PM
in response to: sendtotd
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Does this sound like a plausible answer? The reason people got charged for not answering was due to the call being forwarded to the VoiceMail phone number (in the USA). Since it was on another carrier's network, then the Home carrier never got to filter the VM # out to not be charged as minutes used (as the billing system does filter if you are in the USA). Anyway, I really would like the NOTES app to include a voice note recorder to help me keep track of verbal ideas that can't be explained if type written.
iPhone / MacBook Pro 1st edition
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
N/A
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Posts:
1
From:
Chicago
Registered:
Sep 12, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 12, 2007 4:11 PM
in response to: dMorrow
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I'd love to know what plan you had with t-mobile. I got hit pretty hard when I was in Europe with wrong numbers leaving me messages. The only way to avoid charges, even for ignored calls, is to have vm shut off. Unfortunately it doesn't matter who you carrier is.
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12
From:
CO USA
Registered:
Nov 3, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 5, 2007 10:39 AM
in response to: dMorrow
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Just to be fair. All US GSM carriers, both t-mobile and ATT, charge one minute for a call received while abroad, even if it goes straight to voicemail. At the same time, European carriers do not do that, even if you use their sim in the US.
Macbook Pro 2.4GHz 4GB
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1
From:
paris
Registered:
Nov 13, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 13, 2007 2:16 AM
in response to: dMorrow
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FYI. I have T-mobile and have been overseas for the past 8 months. They do in fact also charge for calls ignored that go to voicemail during roaming as the calls have to be routed through whatever foreign network you're on. The best way to avoid this is to turn off your voicemail while abroad. Or lose the iphone if you're going to be gone for an extended period of time.
I don't have ATT but I think it's nice they even alerted you to this fact. I had to find this out from T-mobile the hard way
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1
From:
sweden
Registered:
Dec 25, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 25, 2007 4:46 AM
in response to: dMorrow
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You are completely wrong about this not being "how it's done" -- t-mobile, vodafone, orange and every other carrier in the world all do it the same way as AT&T -- when you are roaming, an unanswered call gets forwarded back to voicemail and you are charged two international legs. I don't know who told you otherwise. Turning off the phone makes no difference -- any call will still try to find you on the last network you registered on and then go to voicemail. If you want to avoid these charges, then you must set your phone to send ALL calls to voicemail. This way they go directly to your voicemail box in your home country.
macbook pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
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Posts:
47
From:
Eugene, OR
Registered:
Nov 10, 2002
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jan 4, 2008 9:24 PM
in response to: blogndog
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how does one set one's iPhone to send all calls to voicemail?
MBP 2 GHz, 1 GB SDRAM 100 gig @7200
Mac OS X (10.4.5)
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Posts:
47
From:
Eugene, OR
Registered:
Nov 10, 2002
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 11:41 AM
in response to: Craig Kerr
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I could be wrong, but the only way I or the guy at AT&T have figured out is to turn the phone off. Push the home button and the top button, then slide the slider to off. Then, all messages go directly to voicmail. To access your voice mail from a landline, or better yet from a skype connection on a PC, just call your cellphone number, and when you hear your greeting, press * to enter the voicemail system, listen to and delete messages. If you don't skype, I have heard others recommend buying a cheap local cell phone, purchasing a load (minutes) and making your calls that way very cheaply. But unless you really need to receive important calls a lot, then skype is cheap and reasonably convenient--just locate an internet cafe.
MBP 2 GHz, 1 GB SDRAM 100 gig @7200
Mac OS X (10.4.5)
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Posts:
61
From:
Santa Ana, CA, USA
Registered:
Apr 25, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 3:23 PM
in response to: AymR
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Thank you!. I been looking for something like this info from the ATT website. Kudos! -
Dual 2.0Ghz G5/2.16Ghz Macbook Pro 15
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
iPod: 5G (Video,) Camera: Canon SD900, Phone: iPhone
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Posts:
349
Registered:
Jun 6, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 5, 2007 11:28 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Helpful
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We have been told that the iPhone will work only with AT&T SIMs. No viable unlocking has been announced, so your answer is no.
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Posts:
15
Registered:
Nov 14, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 23, 2007 8:03 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hi,
I did travel overseas and used my iPhone with no problem..errr... other than the AT&T bill... Carriers in other countries work smoothly with the iPhone.
If you want to use your iPhone and not pay a lot, buy the AT&T's international package.. It's $25 and gives you 20 MByte free... I did not know that and I will have to pay about 2 cents/kByte... I did use about 12 MBytes so it makes about $250 phone bill...
Calling or recieving calls and sending/recieving SMS also extra. Do not talk too much and do NOT text too much (sms might be blended with Datausage)...
But you will look cool using iPhone outside of US where knoone else can have an iPhone (yet)...
Cenk
MacBook 2GHz, 1 Gig Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8)
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3
Registered:
Jul 24, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 23, 2007 10:55 PM
in response to: Cenk
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On my previous GSM phones and traveling overseas, I would choos a network that interfaced with AT&T's network. I would also select whether or not to enable the GPRS capabilities. I don't know if EDGE is the same as GPRS or not. On the iPhone I could not find a setting to (1) disable Edge or (2) a menu for cellular network options.
Q1: When you traveled abroad did the iPhone select the network for you?
Q2: To prevent from getting raped by AT&T on the data charges how can you at least use the iPhone for voice international roaming without data use?
iPhone
Mac OS X (10.0.x)
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Posts:
15
Registered:
Nov 14, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 24, 2007 4:15 AM
in response to: DarthGelo
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A1: iPhone selects the network automatically... But you can manually select if you want to use a particular network.
A2: Yes you can use the phone just for voice. Disable the automatic email checking and do not use email, safari, weather, etc... apps. They all use data service.
Cenk
MacBook 2GHz, 1 Gig Ram
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
iPhone, 8 Gig
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Posts:
3
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Jul 24, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 25, 2007 12:48 AM
in response to: Cenk
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Cenk, thank you for A1 & A2. Please allow me to ask another...
Q3: When you researched the AT&T International Data Plan was there any mention of having to extend or commit to a 1 year agreement with the plan?
When we spoke to a AT&T rep we were told we would have to commit to a 1 year contract. We did not bother with any other questions or advice from that individual there after.
iPhone
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Posts:
15
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Nov 14, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 25, 2007 8:54 AM
in response to: DarthGelo
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A3. I am not sure about that 1 yr agreement. All I know is AT&T is trying to milk people using their phones in another country. Try to find out wireless locations wherever you go and use your iPhone there. Make/receive calls when you really need to. If you follow that than you wouldn't pay too much. If you want to stay longer periods, then you may wanna do 1 yr agreement.
Cenk
MacBook 2GHz, 1 Gig Ram
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
iPhone, 8 Gig
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5
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Dec 18, 2001
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Jul 27, 2007 6:14 PM
in response to: Cenk
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All other plans state clearly when you need to sign a 1-year agreement, not this one:
International Data Global Plan for iPhone
For just an additional $24.99 per month, iPhone customers may add a Data Global Plan to their existing domestic data plan and receive 20MB of data usage in 29 countries, including Canada, China, Mexico and many additional countries in Europe/Asia. Overage rate is $.005/KB. Outside the 29 discounted countries, the data usage rate is $.0195/KB
But I was told by the CS agent that there is a 175$ termination fee and , yes, you need to sign for a full year. I guess 175$ is not that bad if you consider that a week worth of data transfer in Europe without any plan can cost you hundreds of dollars!
MacBook Pro 17
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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9
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Mar 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 1:29 PM
in response to: OSX
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I guess your way would minimize the cost in current unacceptable situation. I think that in any case $200 for international roaming when using about 20MB of bandwidth is really bad. Also making and receiving calls for $1.29 per minute and paying for the ringtones on the way is also unacceptable. What can a consumer do about this? All operators have the same cash cow and all of them keep on milking it.
Mac Mini
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
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Posts:
78
Registered:
Aug 25, 2002
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AT&T International Plans
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 3:27 PM
in response to: DarthGelo
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I was told the following regarding making international phone and data calls:
1/ To enable international dialing from the US to overseas, you need to call At&T. The regular rate, for example, per minute to Japan is about $3.50 per minute. Same for Europe. However, AT&T has a $3.99 per month plan that will reduce these international charges to a few cents per minute.
2/ International data is expensive. I assume it is because other carriers are bilking AT&T and AT&T is having to back-charge us. AT&T has an unlimited data plan that is about $69.00 per month, and will work internationally, but it requires a 2-year contract. That would be $70 x 12 x 2 = $1,600.00 dollars minimum charge.
There appears to be no international organization that is able to regulate and control the prices of telecom carriers, so they charge what they want.
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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62
Registered:
Aug 17, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 1, 2007 4:03 PM
in response to: DarthGelo
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I spoke to an AT&T customer service person about the International Data plans. I was told that you CAN turn them on and off without any cancellation charges.
iMac G4 1.25GHz w/ 20" display
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
iBook
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 12:50 PM
in response to: Cenk
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A2: actually not quite that simple...
Hate to break it to everyone, but Apple (not ATT) is the culprit for a portion of the unwarranted overseas data charges and Apple should fix it pronto. Here's why along with a work around until they do:
The iPhone lets you disable either wifi mode, or both wifi and EDGE (via airplane mode) but not EDGE alone.
After incurring $400 during my first overseas trip, I made sure on a second trip to disable auto email check and not use any data services (web, email, maps, weather, etc.) except when connected to a wireless network. I was still racking $2-5 of data charges daily.
By correlating the times I turned on/woke up the iphone with my ATT charges, it became clear that the iphone establishes an EDGE connection every time you wake it up prior to switching to a wireless connection. This happened even though I was only using the iphone in the same work/wifi environment.
Each initial EDGE connection weighed in at 1-4KB of data transfer or $0.02 to $0.08 of international data roaming charges. In the course of a day, it added up to $2-$5.
The work around which I recommend to everyone, is I removed the iphone SIM and put it in a basic unlocked phone (e.g. motorola or nokia). I could use that phone for incoming and outgoing calls with my US number, and the iPhone only worked via wifi as an internet/email device with no data roaming charges.
The fix that Apple should make is either to change the behavior so the iphone searches for wifi prior to EDGE or provide an option for the user to turn off EDGE without also turning off wifi.
iphone
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
2
From:
new york
Registered:
Sep 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 9, 2007 2:16 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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Abra, you seem very knowledgeable. After reading every one of these posts,a few questions:
(1) Why is the problem with the Edge connection (that is the iphone trys to establish an EDGE connection before switching to wireless) any different than having a blackberry overseas? For example, I own the Blackberry 8700C, do not have the international plan, and travel extensively to Europe/Asia paying by the Kilobyte, but the data charges are small and nowhere near these large bills everyone is referring to. Does the blackberry connect differently as it continuously looks for your email?
(2) Without any international plan for either blackberry or iphone, are the data charges per kilobyte the same for these two devices?
(3) When one calls AT&T to temporarily shut off the EDGE service (this way you can keep the sim in the iphone and still receive calls without having to put it in a different phone to receive calls, does AT&T credit you for the suspended time? And do you ask them to suspend EDGE, or the entire IPHONE $20 extra plan (or is this the same)?
(4) Also, some additional bit of info - did you know that if you take the ATT international data plan for $25, you are now limited to which international carriers you can roam on for voice in the country. For example, if in Italy, normally ATT allows you to use TIM, Vodaphone, or WIND to connect to voice to roam, however if you take their international data plan, you are now limited to voice carriers according to the data plan. Assuming you took the plan, you can now only use Vodafone to roam on voice in Italy and ATT restricts you from using the other carriers it normally has agreements with. Clearly, its better to have a second phone with a local sim card, but still, its annoying.
Any help on the above from anyone would be great. Thanks.
dell
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7
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May 20, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 19, 2007 1:04 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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i had no idea that there were so many problems taking the iphone overseas. good thing i read this before i went out and bought one this weekend. forget the iphone, i'll get a helio instead. at least you can tweak that phone until you're paying almost nothing for international service.
G4
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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66
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Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 19, 2007 1:13 PM
in response to: herophelia
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If Apple would just hurry up and release firmware 1.1.1 (which they have/it was running on the phones they showed in the UK), it would give us the control to turn off EDGE and solve many of the head/pocket-aches reported here.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Jan 30, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 26, 2007 6:54 AM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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I am a UK customer using the phone on the O2 network. I recently travelled to Germany for a few days. I switched off my data roaming before I got on the plane so I would not incur any data charges. During my time in Germany I made and recieved a few phone calls and used several Wi-Fi hotspots, some paid for with my t-mobile hotspot account and some free open ones.
I have since returned to the UK and used the 02 web site to check my 'recent charges'. I have been billed for the phone calls, as I would expect, but upon clicking on the itemised list of calls I see quite a few which are listed as FREE. Now I know there are NO free calls when roaming, and the number is very weird: 7802000332. I can only presume this is something to do with the iPhone connecting to the network before switching the EDGE data roaming off?
I'm waiting to hear from O2 to find out exactly what this number is, why it's there and why it is listed as free.
MacPro, 30" Cinema Display
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Pro
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147
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Jan 30, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 26, 2007 7:15 AM
in response to: David Rawcliffe1
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Just got off the phone with O2, who seemed quite knowledgeable for a UK mobile phone call centre!
The number I listed above is actually the SMS messaging centre number. I was told then when I send a text from abroad I am not charged, instead it takes four text messages from my bundle of pre-paid texts. I did not know this, and I cannot remember reading this in the terms and conditions. I thought that an SMS sent from abroad was charged at £0.40 per message. It seems this is only the case if you have used up all your inclusive text messages. Even more of an incentive to upgrade to the £45 per month package now.
I can confirm that I incurred NO data charges whilst in Germany with data roaming switched off.
MacPro, 30" Cinema Display
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Pro
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102
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Sep 22, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 9:26 PM
in response to: DarthGelo
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You can disable EDGE so that no internet connection occurs, you just have to call in AT & T so they disable it for you, I was even able as I travel a lot to disable the 20 dollars iphone data pack so I just pay the voice.
Macbook Pro 15.4" Intel Core 2 Duo
Choose
iPhone 4gb
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78
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Aug 25, 2002
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Disabling data overseas
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 3:28 PM
in response to: BerGD
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In the next version of the software, Apple needs to add a "Overseas Mode" that will disable all data services for those of us who don't wish to get cheated by the outrageous data charges.
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.1)
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Oct 1, 2007
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Re: Disabling data overseas
Posted:
Oct 1, 2007 6:55 PM
in response to: Edward Roche
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They have in the latest update. Per Justin at Apple you can shut off data while international roaming. Go to Setting, General, and the network. Supposedly shuts down edge, and sms, but no wifi.
Macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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From:
Germany
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Aug 8, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 12:07 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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All main carriers do. If you have a SIM it works in Europe for example, but call you carrier to ensure the service you have allows you to make international calls. For some crazy reason US carriers do this. I guess they forget there is a world outside of the US. Kind of like the Bush administration...... 
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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From:
Los Angeles
Registered:
Aug 8, 2007
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When in JAPAN!!!
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 10:50 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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I'm in love w/the iPhone but disappointed about one thing. It doesn't work in Japan (yet?), even tho it might seem like it does.
I travel to Japan often and was excited to finally be able to roam there. ATT does offer roaming in Japan w/the Cingular 8525 and the Palm One Treo 750 (as well as a couple of cards), but I didn't iPhone in the list.
(http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp?WT.svl=title)
but figured it could be they hadn't updated the list w/new iPhone yet. So, I called ATT customer service international and was told by their rep that "well, it should work." ("Should"?)
I did some research and it turns out that it doesn't.  It's not all Apple's fault tho. Japan's network (based on 3G, soon to be 4G) is far ahead of the US standard (2G). So, I'm holding out for iPhone 3G version to be released. (Steve Jobs, please hear my prayers.)
On a side note, I just got back (Aug 4, 2007) from Tokyo where I felt totally left out from the hoards of train commuters watching live TV and doing video chat from their mobiles. sigh
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: When in JAPAN!!!
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 2:50 AM
in response to: borett
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I use my iPhone in Japan but only with wifi. I carry the little airport express and plug it into the hotel room and it works fine. Also, many airports offer free wifi and I just used it in Kansai airport where it is free.
If you're in a big city and in an outdoor cafe downtown almost for certain you'll pick up an unlocked wifi signal and if you lucky.....
Choose
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19
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Nov 3, 2004
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Re: When in JAPAN!!!
Posted:
Sep 21, 2007 12:54 PM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Stewart-
Have you received a bill for wi fi use in Japan? Does the 802.11b/g work in Japan?
After talking with ATT reps (9/21/07) they assured me that the iPhone will not work for cellular or wifi in Japan. Are they uninformed and wrong?
I just want to confirm that I can leave the SIM card in, access wifi as needed, and only pay what I specifically engage in a hotel or wifi hot spot... That there will be zero att charges for this wifi access in Japan.
Can you provide any clarity?
Steve
iMac G5 20in.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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18
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Jul 1, 2005
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69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: When in JAPAN!!!
Posted:
Sep 21, 2007 2:47 PM
in response to: Steve Self
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Steve,
You will not receive a bill from at&t for using wifi in Japan or anywhere else. The individual that posted that was mistaken.
802.11b/g works fine in Japan. As I mentioned, I carry the little Apple express and plug it in when I'm in the hotel rooms as most have ethernet. Also, there are wifi hotspots in many locations, some free. The at&t reps are uninformed however it you keep at it you'll find someone in the international department that might know. When I'm talking to a rep and I can tell they are shooting from the hip, I bid them a good day and call back to get someone else.
100% when you are in Japan you can leave the sim card in and you will not be charged. The iPhone cannot be used for cellular or Edge in Japan.
I'm in Narita now, the airport has wifi and only costs 500 yen ($4.50) for 24 hours use. The lounges are free.
Stewart
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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19
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Nov 3, 2004
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Re: When in JAPAN!!!
Posted:
Sep 21, 2007 4:20 PM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Stewart-
Thanks!
By the way, I had the ATT rep make a note "in my file" that I call to confirm that there would be absolutely no fees from att or their partners for wifi in Japan.
Now we will go and see...
Steve
iMac G5 20in.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
iPhone
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78
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Aug 25, 2002
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Overseas Data Rates iPhone v. Treo and Blackberry
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 3:33 PM
in response to: borett
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Does anyone know if AT&T charges the same BS data rates overseas for users who have that equipment, also sold by AT&T?
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.1)
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Posts:
78
Registered:
Aug 25, 2002
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Overseas Data Rates iPhone v. Treo and Blackberry
Posted:
Aug 23, 2007 3:34 PM
in response to: borett
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Does anyone know if AT&T charges the same BS data rates overseas for users who have that equipment, also sold by AT&T?
PowerBook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.1)
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5
From:
Nashville, TN & Tallahassee, FL
Registered:
Aug 8, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 8, 2007 1:03 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hey guys, I've have my iPhone for a month now and spent two weeks in Northern Europre: Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. I used my phone there a couple of times to make calls and then turned it off. I did check email and text messages every 3 or 4 days, seriously THAT's all. I just received my first months AT&T bill which was $578.68. Be careful traveling out of the country with this phone.
Dell Latitude D620
Windows XP Pro
Work Computer
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1
Registered:
Sep 20, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 1:16 PM
in response to: Cvitanovich
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Similar experience while in the Caribbean on vacation.
Activated voice/international roaming, never notified of data plan or cost and was unaware that the island I was on had Edge. Thought I was using the resort WiFi, but ran up a huge bill on data usage. Was able to dispute bill down by 65%, but still a large chunk of change.
Be careful, their data rates are high and they don't yet have an international dataplan for the iPhone.
Choose
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Posts:
2,120
Registered:
Sep 24, 2006
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Incorrect
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 3:03 PM
in response to: Jeff Jacques1
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Incorrect -- they DO have an international data plan for the iPhone.
It is 24.99 for 20 MB of data. They've had it since day 1. I've used it succesfully for two European trips with no weird charges.
They also have a 5.99 a month discounted international voice roaming plan. Highly recommended it will save you mucho bucks.
Finally, they also have international text messaging plans.
20 MB of data is roughly equivalent to 450.00 worth of charges.
It is also roughly equivalent to looking at 15 web sites, checking your e-mail manually twice per day, and checking a map and weather once a day.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro -- iPhone
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Incorrect
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 2:42 AM
in response to: RonAnnArbor
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At&t does have a "partial" international plan Ron.... it's only good in 29 countries out of..... let's see.... 194 countries.
Choose
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Posts:
80
Registered:
Jul 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 5:36 PM
in response to: Cvitanovich
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C,
Could you look at the data log that came with your bill and see if there are any "strange" downloads that you cannot account for or which occurred in the middle of the night when the iPhone was on the charger?
I am looking for non-user initiated data downloads.
Mini + G4 500 + G4 DP 450 + iPhone
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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2
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Aug 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 9, 2007 9:17 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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hi guys
can i buy iphone from US and use abroad like in south east asia china, india?
Hoping to get a reply soon
Regards
Aj
Choose
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Use in Asia
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 2:53 AM
in response to: aj diva
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I'm in Thailand now and it works great. I just don't check e-mail nor surf the web unless I'm hooked up to wifi. I was just in the Apple shop here and they said December looks like the release in Thailand so I'd hang a bit and see what happens.
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Aug 9, 2007
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Re: Use in Asia
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 3:13 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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hi stewart
my question to u is apart from at&t sim card can we use local simcard of that particular company? or u need at&t simcard only to make calls n listen to mp3(itunes)?
thanks
Aj
Choose
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Posts:
2,120
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Sep 24, 2006
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only ATT
Posted:
Aug 10, 2007 5:57 AM
in response to: aj diva
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You can ONLY use an ATT sim card.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro -- iPhone
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Use in Asia
Posted:
Aug 12, 2007 6:57 PM
in response to: aj diva
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I carry an unlocked phone and just use a local sim card in that to make local calls etc... you don't need to keep the att sim card in the iPhone to use wifi, itunes.
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Posts:
18
From:
Michigan
Registered:
Jul 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 12, 2007 10:16 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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I'm going to the UK next week. I don't really need to make calls but I want to have my iPhone with me to listen to podcasts on the plane and train while I'm there. Can I safely do this without unknowingly incurring data charges? If I keep it on airplane mode unless I need to make a call?
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 12, 2007 7:01 PM
in response to: whatsinanamerea...
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I'd slip the sim card out and put it someplace safe. Otherwise you will use some data no matter how careful you are.... Then you will be able to surf on wifi when it available...
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24
Registered:
May 6, 2002
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 13, 2007 11:13 AM
in response to: whatsinanamerea...
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I'm going to the UK next week. I don't really need to make calls but I want to have my iPhone with me to listen to podcasts on the plane and train while I'm there. Can I safely do this without unknowingly incurring data charges? If I keep it on airplane mode unless I need to make a call?
Here's the deal: you can go to to your Mail settings and put it on Manual. Don't use Maps, don't use e-mail, don't use Weather, and for crying out loud, don't even think of using the web browser.
Your phone will still do short data bursts from time to time, doing who knows what, but after five days, your charges will be less than a dollar ($.02 x 50).
Here's the deal. Suppose you absolutely must e-mail someone a picture you took with the iPhone. You take it and then you hit "send". Here's what happens:
(a) The pic is 500K so going out is going to set you back $10
(b) Because you used the e-mail engine, your iPhone will have pinged your server and downloaded who knows what e-mail headers and what not
Result: your bill will include 20 bucks for data after 5 days:
$1 for random iPhone data comms (unavoidable at this time)
$9 for checking e-mail once
$10 for e-mailing that one picture
True story. Happened to me last month. Company pays, though, so who cares?
I tell you, ATT gives the blackberry guys the option of unlimited worldwide roaming for $70. We iPhoners are getting an unfair deal.
Sawtooth 350 / 1.2GB / 440GB
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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2,120
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Sep 24, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 13, 2007 12:04 PM
in response to: Aeneas
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Again...ATT has an international Data package for the iPhone for 24.99 a month for 20 MB of data - enough for basic e-mail checking, a few weather checks, and a few web views during each day...it's roughly equivalent to about 450.00 worth of data per month overseas. Highly recommended.
Overall, it is never a good idea to use a lot of wireless data in Europe unless you are Wifi -- it has always been that way with ATT, T-Mobile and all other local carriers.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro -- iPhone
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Posts:
18
From:
Michigan
Registered:
Jul 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 13, 2007 3:57 PM
in response to: RonAnnArbor
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Thank you and I understand about the package that AT&T is offering. It doesn't make sense for me as this is a once or twice a year kind of thing. What I'm trying to avoid is the unexpected bill. I don't have to do email but what if I accidentally forget and pull up weather or stocks when I'm not connected via wifi? That's why I was wondering if the 'airplane mode' would be a safety net to keep me from being stupid -- and my company doesn't pay so it matters
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24
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May 6, 2002
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 15, 2007 1:24 PM
in response to: RonAnnArbor
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Thanks of the comments.
The $25 ATT package gives you 20MB/month in less than 30 countries.
20MB = viewing the front page of a website such as the Wall Street Journal 20 times, or sending 40 e-mails each containing one photo taken with iPhone
For some people, that might be sufficient.
Others could burn through the 20MB in less than an hour. For instance, people have already returned with $3,000 of data charges with the iPhone.
By way of contrast, the Blackberry people can pay $65 for unlimited worldwide data. That's called "peace of mind." I love my iPhone, and if I'm in company business, who cares, I'll take it internationally.
But if I'm going on a personal vacation, I will bring my old GSM phone, not the iPhone.
Sawtooth 350 / 1.2GB / 440GB
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
2,120
Registered:
Sep 24, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 15, 2007 4:34 PM
in response to: Aeneas
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I don't think anyone is arguing that Aeneas. The Blackberry is the ONLY phone though that offers that unlimited international data package. None of the other ATT phones do.
I agree that the iPhone is NOT an ideal international travel phone. My 20 MB plan is more than sufficient for my plan, but I do NOT do business overseas, and I don't send anyone anything from my phone nor use much data overseas. I do check my e-mail a couple times a day and check weather here and there. I don't need data for anything else.
The problem with the folks coming back with those huge bills is people who think you can just use the phone overseas like any other phone - like they somehow are getting free data service the month they are on that Greek island and are showing off every feature of their iPhone to everyone - entertaining the crowd with YouTube...I know how that can be - every single person I ran into in Paris wanted to see my iPhone a few weeks ago to play with the features. I simply told them NO.
People with ATT that use their phones overseas generally already know that data, nor calls, are free overseas. Tell that to the 22 year old hotshot with their new iPhone in Rome on vacation, though. (I'm making that up, not reflecting on any particular person, just in general)....the ironic thing is, those are the same folks that would return from Europe with a 800 dollar CELL PHONE call bill in the "old days" pre-data on phones -- and then complain vehemently in the ATT/Cingular forums that they should not have been charged all that money for cell phone calls. This is no different, it is just involving data which is even MORE expensive.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro -- iPhone
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3
From:
Keizer, Or
Registered:
Sep 6, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 12:06 PM
in response to: Aeneas
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Check online BEFORE you leave the US. Not all European countries are included in the "Plan". The Ukraine is not. $3.60/minute.
macBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
147
Registered:
Jan 30, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 26, 2007 7:20 AM
in response to: Aeneas
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Surely switching off data-roaming is all the user needs to do? If he/she needs to send any emails, use Maps or browse the web they can use a wifi zone without incurring an charge from the mobile network.
MacPro, 30" Cinema Display
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Pro
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 14, 2007 7:05 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Am I missing something?
A) It' my understanding from talking to AT&T that unless I 'activate' my phone for overseas use, it will not work (and therefore no charges). SO it seems that the solution is to just use the iPhone in 'wi fi' mode (no charges, right? if not using EDGE or AT&T data services?) and go buy those very cheap phone cards to use when needing to make a call rather than getting these $400 charges for overeseas use that everyone seems to being getting surprised with. If the phone is not activated for overseas, then it can't be used.
B) AM I right in assuming that we can use Safari overseas at a wi-fi hot spot without incurring charges? And getting email as well that way?
Mac Pro
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2,120
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Sep 24, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 14, 2007 12:32 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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1) Depending on how long you have been with ATT your phone might already be activated for overseas. Those of us who have been with them through the Ameritech/early Cingular days have never had to activate it for overseas, it just did it automatically. They only added international provisioning requirements about three years ago. If you ported over a new number, it most likely has not been activated for overseas roaming (that includes phone calls) and you have to ask them to do so. Note that once you activate international roaming, your international data features will automatically hook up.
2) You can indeed use any of the internet features for free at a wifi spot without incurring any charges. Note that there are practically ZERO free wifi spots in Europe except in some hotels -- they normally charge by the hour or the day. It's your choice -- pay 18.00 a day for internet at Starbucks in Paris, or add the data feature and use your EDGE sparingly. Note that for those people who have things like Boingo, ATT, or T-Mobile domestic hotspot programs (the 24.99 a month anywhere in the USA thingees) those plans do NOT work in Europe - they use a separate billing system over there, even if you find a t-mobile hotspot for example.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro -- iPhone
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2
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Jan 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 7, 2007 11:46 PM
in response to: RonAnnArbor
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Estonia has free wifi almost everywhere
Mac OS X (10.5)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 15, 2007 12:07 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Sunrise, if you take out your sim card you won't have to worry about it. If, for some reason you need it, it's available. I travel extensively overseas including countries outside of Europe and I never have a problem finding an unlocked wifi signal. Many small cafe's and bar's have free wifi, or maybe they haven't figured how to lock it up, but there are lot's.... I pick up my e-mail, surf Safari and IM my Dad at no cost.
If you've been with att/cingular for awhile and have an older telephone laying around.(most phones sold in the last couple of years have 3 or 4 bands) Give them a call and ask to unlock it. Explain that you are going overseas and you want to save a buck and use a local sim card. Prepaid sim cards are very cheap. Vodaphone usually charges 30 ( in whatever currency ) and you get that much credit good for about an hours worth of phone calls home. Unlike the USA, inbound calls to you from home incur no charge.
Have a good trip.....
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 15, 2007 5:35 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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I switched from Verizon to my iPhone and AT&T so I have no old phone to activate. I assume from what you are saying belowthat I cannot buy a SIM card once I'm over there for the iPhone? Are you saying that I should remove the SIM card from my iphone in ANY case to ensure I don't get charged accidentally? And then just use the iPhone for wifihotspots? Or can I buy a SIM card that will fit in the iPHone once in Europe. Since I am a new customer with AT&T , I was told that I have to 'activate' in ANY case to be able to use my phone there should I want to incur what seems like astronomical charges compared to buying cheap callng cards once there. Thanks
Stewart Holmes said: "If you've been with att/cingular for awhile and have an older telephone laying around.(most phones sold in the last couple of years have 3 or 4 bands) Give them a call and ask to unlock it. Explain that you are going overseas and you want to save a buck and use a local sim card. Prepaid sim cards are very cheap. Vodaphone usually charges 30 ( in whatever currency ) and you get that much credit good for about an hours worth of phone calls home. Unlike the USA, inbound calls to you from home incur no charge."
Mac Pro
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 15, 2007 5:59 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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You CANNOT use another cellular provider's SIM card with the iPhone.
You can do one of two things.
Request international roaming with AT&T Wireless for cell phone service which is required for new subscribers and request that EDGE access be temporarily disabled for your trip. This way, you can place and receive calls and have WiFi access for checking and sending email and for website access, etc. Visual voicemail will not work but you can check voicemail the old fashioned way by calling.
This way there can be no hidden charges for EDGE access since EDGE will be temporarily disabled for your trip which can be re-enabled when returning. You will not be credited for the time EDGE access is temporarily disabled and "temporarily" is a key word when calling AT&T Wireless to request this.
You won't need to worry about removing the SIM card or not accidentally selecting Mail or Safari when not connected to a WiFi network.
You can purchase a cheap "Go" phone from AT&T Wireless and use the iPhone's SIM card with the cheap "Go" phone and/or purchase a SIM card from a local provider which includes X number of minutes and use that SIM with your cheap "Go" phone. With the iPhone's SIM card removed, you can access a WiFi network but it will be impossible to access EDGE and to receive or place any calls.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
3
Registered:
Apr 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 5, 2007 9:08 PM
in response to: Allan Sampson
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1. So, if I remove the SIM card from the iPhone, do I need to requested that AT&T temporarily disable EDGE access or does than happen with the removal of the card?
2. If EDGE access is disabled and the iPHone's SIM card is removed, you say I can access a WiFi network. Can I then log on to Skype via the Internet and make calls via Skype?
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 2:50 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Sunrise, not to beat a horse to death but since you are new with at&t....
Unless you want to receive phone calls from friends and family while you're on vacation, take out the sim card. Once the phone is activated on an overseas network with the sim card installed, you are charged per call whether you actually answer it or not until you get back to the USA and turn on your phone. I learned this the hard way and turned my phone on in Australia to see if it would work and then turned it off. Every call that I received and went to voice mail, I was charged for... I know this sounds unbelievable but it's true. The worse part is if you have the phone on and choose not to answer it and it goes back to voice mail, it's charged double.
I'm unsure if the Go phone is unlocked or if it is quad band but if it is you could do that and pick up a sim card from overseas.
Depending on where you are going, the phone shops usually have a selection of cheap phones that you can pick from and they'll hook you up with a sim card. I was in Britain a couple of years ago and bought a cheap phone and sim card for less than 50usd.
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 6:32 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Thanks to all for your input and it just gets more interesting. Here's what the AT&T international rep told me on the phone yesterday.
1. If I activate my phone for Europe using their World Traveler Plan ($5.99 a month) but leave it turned OFF, no incoming voicemail will be charged to my account.
2. Then if I dial for voicemail the old fashioned way (not using visual voicemail whic doesn't work anyway) and entering my password etc etc. I will only be charged for my connect time while I'm listening to my voicemail. She stated that if my phone was turned OFF no incoming charges would be due.
3. She also said that above and beyond the 99 cents of the World Traveler plan per minute charge, the local govts get their hand in the till on a per call (not per minute basis) such that if you talk for a minute, there'll be around a 20 cent local surcharge.....but that does not go up much beyond that if you talk 10 or 20 minutes.
Any real world experience with THAT advice? Thanks
Mac Pro
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 7:24 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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That is good news! I hope you made a note of the Rep's name and time you called. I am overseas a couple times a month at least and that has not been the case but maybe they have changed their policy with the New at&t. I hope so... It would be great only being charged for calls actually made or received.
Depending on how long you're going to be gone, I'd reconfirm that, you might be in for a big surprise along with jet lag.
Please post when you get back and let us know, I'm hoping it's changed!
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 8:51 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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OK, I just got off the phone after an hour and a half of discussions with both the international AT&T rep AND the Apple Iphone support rep in a conference call and here's what I got confirmed (although she DID add the caveat that these things can change)
1. If your'e in ,say Germany, as long as you leave your phone turned off (press and HOLD the off switch..don't just 'put it in standby' ) that you will NOT be charged for any incoming voice mails. Alternatively, you can put the phone in 'Airplane' mode as another way to accomplish the same thing according to the Apple rep. You can then just check your voicemail from your phone (or a payphone) and incur the normal per minute charges, but at least you won't be charged TWICE....once for the incoming call and then again when you listen to it.
2. Also, if you happen to leave your phone on and you see a call coming in, if you can turn the phone off before it is done ringing, you will not be charged for an incoming voicemail then either.
3. AT&T suggested signing up (no charge) for the "Extended International Roaming Service" which is a matter of answering a series of questions for identity purposes. As soon as you do that you can then do the following immediately:
a) call overseas from the USA for $1.49 a minute to a landline and $1.68 to a mobile number
b) Go overseas and call back home for $1.29 (at least from Geramny)
C) text message to/from overseas for .50 cents outgoing and .15 cents incoming
4. If you want to just call overseas from the USA from your iphone you can get the 'World Connect Plan' for $3.99 a month which costs .09 cents a minute to a landline and .28 cents a minute to a mobile number. Again, that's just for USA to overseas only
5. Now if you want to use the Iphone overseas you then get The "World Traveller" Plan for however long you plan to be there for $5.99 a month which then costs .99 cents a minute (plus any in-country charges which can start at .10 cents per call)
6. Now this next topic is what took forever to figure out and about 3 different AT&T folks going up the chain because first they said I could and then couldn't and the could again do this. You do NOT want EDGE turned on when overseas because it will rack up charges as it tries to connect to anything that moves even if you don't wantit to. You call AT&T Customer care before you go over and suspend your $20 a month current data plan that you have in the states. That will diable EDGE..........but also text messaging AND VISUAL voice mail (which I don't think works anyway overseas). Or you could take a chance and just keep your phone in "Airplane Mode' which disables EDGE, PHone and WIFI and then just hope you don't incur much EDGE charge when you go out of that mode to check at a wifi hotspot or whatever.
Boy, talk about Rocket Science !!
Mac Pro
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 16, 2007 6:55 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Thank you for the information. It appears they have changed their policy about receiving calls when overseas, that's good news and the way it should be. The news about .09 a minute to a landline is also great. One thing, the .99 per minute calling from your iphone to the US is only from select countries and double check before you call from say, London to Montreal. I'm pretty sure anything that doesn't go to the USA is charged quite a bit more.
Also Visual voice mail does work overseas very well. Once in a while I run into a foreign carrier that it won't work with but I just do a manual switch on the phone to another network. In fact, it's nice to turn on the phone in the morning and see who tried to wake me in the middle of the night!
If you need to get in touch with at&t when overseas you can call them on +1-916-843-4685 from your iPhone and there is no charge for the call.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
3
From:
USA
Registered:
Sep 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 9, 2007 1:53 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Ok, what about if I only want to use the ipod part in my iphone. Can i just put the airplane mode and be safe out there in europe...??????????????????????
can someone respond to me, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee...
????????????
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 9, 2007 2:00 PM
in response to: VSaavedra
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Yes, putting the iphone in Airplane mode assures you don't incur any data charges.
If you want to on occasion use an available wifi spot, remove the SIM card and turn off Airplane mode. this will make wifi work, but since the phone won't have a SIM card it won't incur any data charges.
If you also want to use your US number to make/receive calls without also incurring data charges (though you'll obviously pay for the phone call), put the SIM from you iphone in a regular unlocked phone. Any low cost phone will do.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
3
From:
USA
Registered:
Sep 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 9, 2007 2:03 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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thanks a lot. :0)
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
5
Registered:
Jul 7, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 17, 2007 8:58 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I love my iphone and it works perfectly (except for visual voice mail wich doesn't) and I went to France for one month and then att call me about iternational data. The iphone was my only link to my email so it was used a lot and att told me that my bill was 4000$ and said that subscribing to their 24.99$ add on for iternational data would bring it down to 900$. I really thing that att should have warnings about international data because there you go, in one month i have already payed more then the price of the iphone in service charges.
MacBookPro
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 1:47 AM
in response to: Pierre Low
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That's great that at&t would give you a call like that and an option to reduce it. Still a lot, but better. One thing I've found about Visual Voice mail is some foreign carriers support it and some don't. If the carrier that hooked up via the "auto" method didn't work then I manually select another one and give it a go. It's a great service and saves the call to see who left a message....
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA/Europe
Registered:
Aug 18, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 10:33 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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I am here in Italy where I soon will buy an unlocked iphone that can work on multiple frequencies. I soon will come to the US to study.
The question is, do I still have to use it with AT&T wireless seeing that I got it unlocked and out of the USA?
TIA
Dell Inspiron 1300
Windows XP
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Posts:
2
Registered:
May 28, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 1:08 PM
in response to: metto81
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Tia Buy an Apple and dump that brick you have !
Powerbook G4 15 1.67GHz Powerbook G4 12 1.5Ghz Macbook 2.0 Core Duo
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
1gb Ram SD
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 10:47 PM
in response to: metto81
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Tia, Quite frankly I don't think there is an unlocked iPhone that will work with another carriers sim card. Best thing to do is if you have found an "unlocked" iPhone, before you buy it, put your sim card in and see if it will make a call. If it truly is unlocked it will work no problem. I wouldn't hold high hopes....
If it does work with your own sim card, you'll have no problem using it in the USA without at&t as long as your carrier has an international plan. Check with them.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
63
From:
central fl
Registered:
Aug 18, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 10:46 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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world connect plan?
PowerMac G5 dual 1.8GHz/4GB/1Tb, MacBook 2.0
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
2
From:
Nashville
Registered:
Aug 18, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 3:10 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Should I return my iPhone?
I'm going around the world next year. I plan to do videoblogging, so I bought my first Mac for the editing capabilities.
Despite the fact that I'll be a budget traveller, I believe that good equipment is a good investment because it saves time, stress and money in the long run, so I bought an iPhone for the trip, as a replacement for my Treo.
Like the rest of us, I assumed that Apple would make iPhone the best of the best for international travel.
I was already with Cingular for my Treo. When I called AT&T about the international use for my iPhone, I was so surprised that I am now asking if I should send the iPhone back. Unfortunately, I was so excited about it that I took the plastic off the box, which means I'll have to pay a 10% restocking fee to return it, and I have 10 more days to decide.
My friend says he bought a cheap phone in Asia, carries it with him internationally and changes out the SIM cards in each country. When I see all of you writing about the hoops you have to jump through to turn this and that off, I'm wondering if I should just return this thing, get a cheap international phone for the road, and get my email on my laptop. What do you think?
If I do want to check email from a phone while I'm gone, is it better to get a Blackberry, considering all I've read here? Or stay with my Treo?
This is my first day in the Mac community, and my first post. I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for your help.
Black MacBook
I'm not lost, I'm exploring
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Posts:
24
Registered:
May 6, 2002
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 4:20 PM
in response to: Jana Banana
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It all depends on your budget.
Limited budget: get a quad-band GSM phone that will work pretty much worldwide except Japan. Make sure it is unlocked. Buy local prepaid GSM chips any country you go to. Your phone number will change each time you go to a new country and get a new GSM chip.
Mid-size budget: get a quad-band Blackberry and sign up for the $65/mo unlimited worldwide data plan. Browsing and e-mailing is... unlimited. Calls are going to get expensive, though: if it rings and you don't pick up, it goes to voicemail and you get charged. When you listen to your voicemail, you get charged again. It's going to cost $1 per minute or more, in general. You will always have the same US number anywhere you go. Only way of containing the voice costs would be to keep the phone off... but then you can't enjoy the unlimited data benefits (unless you keep your number more or less secret)
Large budget: Get an iPhone. It's what I have. I love it. Be ready for multi-thousands of dollars every month. Or leave it in the U.S. Which is what I do when I travel overseas, unless I'm on company business.
Powerbook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 31, 2007 12:31 PM
in response to: Aeneas
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Where does one buy a cheap quad band GSM phone to put one's iphone SIM into WITHOUT having to pay for a 2 year service contract? Ebay? IS there a phone(s) you recommend for this purpose/ thanks>
Mac Pro
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 31, 2007 12:39 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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It doesn't need to be a quad-band phone - it can be a tri-band which is more common. You need to purchase a phone that was provided by Cingular or AT&T Wireless or an unlocked GSM phone. If you purchase an iPhone that was provided by T-Mobile but is not unlocked, this won't work.
AT&T sells relatively inexpensive "Go" phones and if you are traveling to Europe for example, you can purchase an inexpensive almost a throw away phone there since all or at least the majority of GSM phones sold in Europe are sold as unlocked.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 31, 2007 12:44 PM
in response to: Allan Sampson
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You should be able to purchase one through Ebay for less than $100. The country you are going to probably sells the unlocked phones everywhere. The USA is one of the only countries I know of that sells locked phones.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA Florida
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 2:47 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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It is an excellent web site for buying unlocked cell phones. www.welectronics.com
Just click on "Unlocked GSM Phones" You can buy any of them,and those will work with any sim card.You can use your AT$T sim in it.
Hope it helps
HP
Windows Vista
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Posts:
135
Registered:
Jun 8, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 12, 2007 5:36 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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All the phones I saw in China were unlocked. You bought the phone, then you bought a SIM card to go in it. A friend of mine from Austria (who works for Nokia) said that he was surprised that in America it's so hard to buy unlocked phones, that in Europe, Australia, Malaysia, China, and the Philipines (all placed he's lived) buying unlocked phones is easy.
iBook G4, iMac G3
Mac OS X (10.4.5)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 11:07 PM
in response to: Jana Banana
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Ms. Banana,
I spend a large portion of my year overseas and need to stay in touch so this is what I've found works for me. I have the at&t international Blackberry plan and I use the 8707v model. I had to purchase this in Australia but I understand you can buy them online. It's unlocked and allows me to keep in touch through e-mail, IM (instant messaging), and the phone. It works in all countries including Japan on the 3g network. I also carry several pre-paid sim cards from a half a dozen countries so if I'm in, say, Australia for a week, I can put that sim card in a cheap GSM quad band phone that I carry with me.
I do carry the iPhone with me but I've been limiting it's use with wifi as it's pretty expensive otherwise.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
2
From:
Nashville
Registered:
Aug 18, 2007
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iPhone, Jajah, Mino Wireless, WebCallDirect
Posted:
Aug 18, 2007 3:21 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hi All,
I'm back with another post already. Anxious to figure out what to do.
At TAUW, the unofficial Apple Weblog, they're writing about Jajah, Mino Wireless, and WebCallDirect.
Would this work for iPhone so that we don't have to pay all this money to AT&T?
Jana Banana
Black MacBook
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Posts:
9
Registered:
May 25, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 19, 2007 2:04 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I received a $1100.00 data usgae bill for 6 days in Greece. Make sure to turn off all data services. Apple needs to lean on att and have a text message or pop up on the actual phone to warn you when you are overseas about possible large bills for data usage
iphone
Mac OS X (10.4.6)
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Posts:
38
Registered:
Feb 9, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 21, 2007 11:40 AM
in response to: edmoore
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Remember that $24.99 International Data Plan ATT offers is a YEAR CONTRACT with a $175.00 cancellation fee - so if you're just going out of the country for a week, it doesn't make sense.
I'm leaving for Sicily for a week - just before I get on the plane I'll call and temporarily disable EDGE so I don't get hit with any hidden data charges, which could add up to $1200.
Mac Pro Dual 3Gig
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
38
Registered:
Feb 9, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 21, 2007 11:40 AM
in response to: edmoore
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Remember that $24.99 iPhone International Data Plan ATT offers is a YEAR CONTRACT with a $175.00 cancellation fee - so if you're just going out of the country for a week, it doesn't make sense.
I'm leaving for Sicily for a week - just before I get on the plane I'll call and temporarily disable EDGE so I don't get hit with any hidden data charges, which could add up to $1200.
Mac Pro Dual 3Gig
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
Registered:
Dec 24, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 21, 2007 12:28 PM
in response to: Matinicus Rock
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I went to Canada last week and had requested that AT&T disable my data service, but I continued to be able to send and receive data. After several phone calls, I was told that the iPhone works so well that it's impossible to turn off the data, even though my account had "data block" activated. My boyfriend on the other hand, was able to remove his $20/mo data service all together, but they screwed up his account somehow that AT&T no longer thinks he has the iPhone plan. Because I couldn't get rid of the data, I was told to either turn off the phone or keep it in airplane mode. I would really like to see apple add a "turn off data" option in Settings.
iPhone
Windows XP
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Posts:
492
Registered:
Oct 25, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 14, 2007 5:59 AM
in response to: edmoore
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I was in Greece in July and August for almost 4 weeks, and had the phone on for much of the time as I used it occasionally to get mail via Wi-Fi. When I got back I had no charges from the trip on my bill. There was no way to be charged as the phone could not connect to any of the three carriers there(OTE,VODAFONE,TIM), so I don't know where you got charged from!
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Posts:
6
From:
Florida
Registered:
Jan 12, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 28, 2007 8:10 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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I have read numerous posts that to insure no excess data charges while traveling in Europe one needs to "Call AT&T and temporarily suspend data services". I just spend an hour on the phone with AT&T International Resources Dept which said this is not possible and they also said they checked with Apple and their own customer service dept and both stated you can not temporarily suspend data services. They said just don't automatically check e mail, or surf internet, or check temperatures, stocks, anything that uses the internet in other words. They also said put it in airplane mode, which of course means you can not receive calls which is the whole purpose of having cell phone.
Who knows what the corrrect answer is ? It seems there is lots of bogus information posted ....
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
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Posts:
34
Registered:
Jul 1, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 31, 2007 12:45 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I went to London and Paris and incurred $80 of data roaming charges!!!! I kept my phone in Airplane mode most of the time but it didn't work. Everytime I disable Airplane mode to check messages (like 4 times a day) the iPhone uses the the EDGE network. And I also think it Safari will access the EDGE network before trying WiFi.
(I had Emaill checking set to manual). I really wish there was a way to disable the EDGE network and use WiFi only while still accepting calls. I travel internationally every month and Its costing me soo much.
MacBook, Powerbook 12, Cube, iPod, iPhone :D
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
13
Registered:
Jul 15, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 8:38 AM
in response to: Allan Sampson
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Allan - are you 100% positive about suspending EDGE with AT&T customer care? I just got off the phone with them and they said this couldn't be done. I'm willing to go up the chain but wanted to double check.
iMac G5
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
6,420
From:
Eastern US
Registered:
Feb 3, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 8:45 AM
in response to: cerickson
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There are a number of people reporting here that they have had AT&T suspend this service on their account for a temporary period of use outside the US, and likewise a number reporting that AT&T have said it can't be done. On balance, I'd say that if there is any single credible report of it being achieved (and I think there has been at least one such, if not rather more) then it can be done, and the AT&T reps commonly responding to customer calls and saying it can't are thusly ill informed.
G5 DP/2.0, Mini/1.25, Mini/1.50, G4/450, TiBook/800, iBook G4/800, iPhone
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 8:47 AM
in response to: cerickson
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Yes but you need to contact the International dept. or customer service. Don't tell them you have an iPhone - just say you will be traveling outside of the country and you want EDGE access disabled on a temporary basis during your trip only.
Do a Google search for this with more specific instructions to tell the International dept. - I'm using my iPhone for this reply or I would provide you a link.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 7:37 AM
in response to: Allan Sampson
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OK, as someone who has just gone through this process 10 minutes ago I was able to disable my AT&T data service (and hence EDGE) by calling international service and they turned it off for me on the spot. I just had to turn my iPhone off......wait 15 seconds .......and then turn it back on again after the rep flipped the switch at his computer. Be SURE you call International 800 number 1 (800) 335-4685 as my rep was VERY knowledgeable as to what to do to turn my data off for a temporary period of time. Your wifi will still work just fine. I'll let you know if through some 'immaculate conception' I STILL get rogue charges when I return from Germany at the end of the month.
Mac Pro
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Posts:
47
Registered:
Jul 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 6:05 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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I just tried to turn off my data service as was suggested, I called the International Number, selected #1, requested it be disabled, didn't tell them I had an iPhone, they checked the account and said I had an iPhone and it couldn't be disabled and the information I had been told was incorrect. Any suggestions?
Mac Mini
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA
Registered:
Dec 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 10, 2007 4:10 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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I just read your post, and many others. I am going to Germany, Europe, and Amsterdam in Jan/Feb. Like you. I do not want a hidden surprise bill. What worked? So many posts to read...I picked yours.
Thanks for the time,
Laurie
Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Aug 31, 2007 1:00 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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Until they change the software, you can just take the sim card out when you are in a wifi zone and it won't go to Edge. This works pretty well and then you have it just incase you need to access the internet and there isn't any wifi.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
118
Registered:
Jul 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 9:48 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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I cannot help but be amused when I read all these posts about the "BS AT&T overseas rates" and how AT&T is ripping us off with their outrageous international roaming charges. I have been traveling overseas for years -- since long before the iPhone came out. And I can tell you nothing is any different now than it used to be. Folks... using a cell phone internationally is expensive -- it always has been -- and this is not just with AT&T -- or with an iPhone, but with ALL the providers. You can rant all you want about the "outrageous" costs -- but it has always been this way.
PC
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
3
From:
USA
Registered:
Sep 11, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 8:47 AM
in response to: rikinva
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I am happy you are amused but, a long time international traveller myself, used to pay 200 to 400$ on long distance roaming per trip, I was nevertheless chocked by my 976$ Data roaming bill. It is nonsence that ATT and Apple were not able to warn us about it. Hopefully, they will reduce my bill quickly, but now i have to use my old faithful Blakberry on international trips because I realize that the situation will not change. So here I am, after spending a lot of time and money to get this iphone, travelling again with my phone and ipod er sorry iphone. Where is the gain????
And oh, by the way they reduced the price by 200 whole dollars...
I realize now that behind the hype over Apple there is just an other billion dollar corporation trying to stab me in the back to get my dough. Congratulation Steve!
HP
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 9:23 AM
in response to: Mabouks
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The iPhone is proving to be quite a high maintenance companion. It's initial cost is paling compared to the cost of ownership for us international travellers. Apple is so far clueless or uncaring about this while ATT is making out like bandits.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 12:51 PM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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How do I remove the sim card from my iPhone? I don't see any opening to remove it from. Thanks
Macbook Pro 17"
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Posts:
14
From:
UK
Registered:
May 26, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 5, 2007 2:25 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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It doesn't have to be expensive though. Get a PAYG (that's Prepay to you) SIM for the local GSM service pop it in your unlocked GSM phone and you have local service. A major complaint is that Apple have locked the iPhone to AT&T even for carriers outside of the US, so SIM swapping isn't an option. Its illegal to sell locked phones in Belgium, so I can't wait until they go on sale there!
MacBook Pro, 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 110 GB HD
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Parallels BootCamp for Visio and MS Project.
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Posts:
32
Registered:
Mar 12, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 11:40 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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You can always just set a SIM PIN password number, turn the phone off and back on. You'll get a "SIM Locked" message. Just select "OK" if you don't want to use (register) the SIM card and the phone will not work. You can still use all functions and Wi-Fi, just not make or get calls. Then use a pre-paid or pay-as-you-go SIM in your an old phone or cheap phone. When you want to use the phone, just try to make a call and you'll get the "SIM Locked" window again, select the "Unlock" selection and unlock your SIM card.
2.16 Ghz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
Mac since 1986
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 12:01 PM
in response to: b52beast
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Ok, great idea, but will that STILL keep the iPhone from randomly checking status items over the European EDGE network as so many here have complained about? I think we're all tryign to avoid inadvertant unintended charges. Will your solution fix that?
"You can always just set a SIM PIN password number, turn the phone off and back on. You'll get a "SIM Locked" message. Just select "OK" if you don't want to use (register) the SIM card and the phone will not work. You can still use all functions and Wi-Fi, just not make or get calls. Then use a pre-paid or pay-as-you-go SIM in your an old phone or cheap phone. When you want to use the phone, just try to make a call and you'll get the "SIM Locked" window again, select the "Unlock" selection and unlock your SIM card."
Mac Pro
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 5:24 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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If your sim is locked there is no way for Edge to hook up to the cellular network. I'm overseas now and locked my sim per the posted suggestion and it works as advertised. This is a much better solution than pulling the sim card or having att turn off data. Now, if I do need the phone/data for some reason it's easy to turn on.....
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
3
From:
Keizer, Or
Registered:
Sep 6, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 12:02 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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From my experience - AT&T has agreements in place in most, if not all, of the European countries. I recently traveled to the Ukraine and had no problems with making connections. Watch the price though. It runs about $3.70 per minute in most of the countries.
Turn off any of the data connection functions. You can easily spend $1000 a week on cellphone charges.
When you first arrive, buy a cheap phone that supports Bluetooth and at least Edge. As you travel to different countries, get a local SIM card.
I spent $50 for a phone and $1 for the SIM and spent less than $100 to keep a MacBookPro online almost full time. The cost per meg for data was about $.0003.
Don't answer calls with caller id that can be identified, return those calls on the phone with the in-country SIM card. The other phone calls, take a number and call them back. Remember just to answer the call cost $3+.
To save a bunch of money, resist calling family/friends, text message instead (on the in-country phone).
macBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
3
From:
Los Angeles
Registered:
Sep 6, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 6:01 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Just returned from Italy and the following is my phone bill....
My assistant sent me a 1 page word document and I opened it (oops) $60.00
Visual voicemail worked $400 (visual voicemail is downloaded to your device which is why it works the way it does, it's not stored on the server.)
Another 1 page document from assistant $40.00
1 hour conversation with airline over lost luggage $60.00
Checking map-quest because I was very lost in the middle of the night $20.00
Checking Map-Quest again because it shut off midway through for no reason. $20.00
See above... x's 4 $80.00
Finally getting correct directions $40.00
Checking email $600
Normal voice calls $380
Monthly phone plan w/ tax $119.45
Getting an $1819.45... definitely not priceless.
Also, I'm a little annoyed by the fact that if I have to pay for the minutes I am using why are they coming out of my monthly plan minutes. I'm in essence getting charged twice for the same thing.
My suggestion:
Buy an international phone a switch sim cards. There are companies out there that have packages and http://www.telestial.com even has this thing called bounce back where you call a US# that's assigned to you that does direct billing with your credit card. You let the phone ring twice and hang up. The US# calls you back and now you have a free incoming call no long distance international, from here you call whatever # in the US you are trying to reach and they put it through for you. It runs about .09 per minute. Also, if you need to get you email, and it doesn't have to be on a phone, and you can't guarantee when or if you can find an internet cafe do yourself a favor and purchase or rent a data card for your laptop. You can get really good deals from Vodafone and getting one in Europe and signing up for a plan is still cheaper than paying per megabyte. I was able to use mine all over Europe and even with a year commitment I still only ended up paying €600 (€300 for the card and €300 for a year of service) and that was two years ago the card have gone way down since. Also they have pay as you go now.
Just my 2 cents.
Mac Book Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
California
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 6, 2007 11:25 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I knew going into my iphone ownership that AT&T would be my biggest disappointment and as I expected it's true. I was traveling to Argentina and called AT&T about what charges to expect. They basically said they didn't really know. I suspected that it would be expensive and they quoted some figures, but the issue was not clear.
My largest expense were the downloads to mail. I made or received no calls and mostly used the phone on airplane mode. Occasionally, connecting thru EDGE or a wifi and to check my mail ( mostly junk) cast me around 150.00 USD.
Make sure you turn on your spam filter. That may help reduce costs. AT&T was worthless in helping me plan my trip and Apple support was equally as disappointing.
The $100 dollar rebate for buying my Iphone early should be appblicable to paying excessive AT&T charges. Why would Apple pair with the worst cell provider I've ever used? A 5 year exclusive? What were they thinking?
Power Mac - iphone
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
san francisco
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 12:05 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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After hearing all these horror stories about roaming overseas I called AT&T today to find out what I can expect on my bill after I get back from Europe. So, after half an hour of listening to how they spend 18 million dollars in improving their excellent customer service (LOL) I finally got to know that I'm not eligible to receive the international calling plan, because I need to be a AT&T customer in good standing for at least 90 days. ***?! How is that possible for iPhone users? I was a happy and in good standing customer of T-mobile for years, AT&T knows it since they switched my number over, but now they're questioning my credibility and make me unavailable on a business trip. Great!
(Another thing - why doesn't AT&T offer business accounts with the iPhones.)
So, what I didn't entirely get from the phone call with AT&T is if my iPhone will work overseas at all or not. I sort of thought it won't, like I can't make international calls from US either.
Most people on the forum say that they're able to receive and make phone calls, but for an overpriced rate. What's the deal, can they just totally cut me off when out of the country?
Powerbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
Los Angeles
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 11:48 AM
in response to: ania13
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yes careful on overseas trips. i spent about $2500 on a three week trip with primarily emails. i was a big blackberry fan as it was very cheap on roaming data. I cant figure out whether it is the iPhone design or ATT roaming agreements.
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
iPhone
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Posts:
3
From:
USA
Registered:
Sep 11, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 9:56 AM
in response to: ania13
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Watch you back! after talking to a myriad of people and going through my first bill (1689.95$)I can only tell you that you have to get a second phone that works overseas, get a prepaid sim card and use it as your ONLY phone. I would also take the SIM card out of the Iphone and use it just as what it will be, a glorified 600 dollars ipod.
Now we can talk forever about the use of a phone that can't be used as a phone and at what cost...
ATT and Aple didn't think of international travellers, although somone should have thought that a person spending 600$ on a phone would likely be a world traveller....
HP
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
1
From:
Atlanta
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 6:01 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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I am a big fan of Apple and have been for a number of years. But I and many others who know Apple already know that Apple is very proprietary. The iPhone is a great phone to use in the US. But all of us who are world travellers know that the really only freedom to using a phone overseas is to have an unlocked phone. I would say ditch the iPhone until it becomes more user friendly for this small world or buy a phone overseas when needed to use any SIM card you want. Ebay is the best source for any unlocked phone. Sorry, iPhone stilll hasn't made it to that level yet. Apple is outstanding with their products and many have made it worldwide but until the iPhone does it is actually useless to the other than common user.
Powerbook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
118
Registered:
Oct 24, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 4:27 PM
in response to: Howard Hunt
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I just got back from Europe (9 days) and my bill was only $210. What did I do:
1. Did not check email - although I accidentally did when I hit the button upon arriving. It downloaded two email headers, which accounted for less than a dollar in Data charges.
2. I didn't open Safari, Maps, Widgets, or YouTube.
3. I did open the Clock very often. It is not a data downloading application, so there were no data charges here.
4. I sent and received a buttload of text messages and made a couple calls, accounting for the additional charges.
All in all, less than $1 in data charges. Not bad.
I lived without email/internet for 9 days. I think most people can.
MacBook
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
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Posts:
8
Registered:
Oct 25, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 5:49 PM
in response to: gellio2002
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gellio (and all),
I returned from two weeks in Europe last month and had about $40 in data charges, DESPITE also avoiding data downloading apps and turning autocheck off for Mail. Granted, I did slip up, on occasion, but certainly not every day.
The strange thing is that I have little data charges on my bill from virtually every day of the trip, even though I know that some days I did not accidentally use Edge (be it via the weather/stock apps) or tap into Mail. I would often switch my phone to airplane mode to compose messages, and wait to turn it on again until I was on WiFi.
Does anyone know what might be the reason for all the little charges across my two weeks in Europe? I'm not complaining, as I spent way more on actual calls, but merely curious so perhaps I can reduce the charges the next time I'm overseas.
Oddly enough, on some days my phone and I were most assuredly in Europe, I saw data billed as free/included while other data were billed as roaming. BOTH on the SAME DAY.
Many thanks for any insight/advice.
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 6:09 PM
in response to: UTH
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UTH, wee my explanation for this in my earlier reply:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5290383#5290383
Basically, the iPhone makes an EDGE connection every time it's turned on/woken up! I hope Apple fixes this soon as this one is in their court not ATT's
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
8
Registered:
Oct 25, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 7, 2007 6:17 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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Very helpful, Abra Dabra, and many thanks (I obviously did not do a good job of reading through this thread). Is anything else considered 'woken up' aside from powering on the phone and toggling Airplane Mode off? Thanks again.
Message was edited by: UTH
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 8, 2007 5:43 AM
in response to: UTH
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If you have it set to auto check mail periodically, it'll make data connections while the phone is off/asleep.
I don't know if you happen to have a web page in safari that does some kind of auto-refresh whether Safari will refresh while the phone is off.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
4
From:
Berkeley
Registered:
Sep 8, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 8, 2007 12:48 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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I recently returned from almost 3 weeks in Europe. I used my IPhone only a couple of times for phone service in an emergency and periodically to check weather (every day a couple of times). I did not use it to check my voicemail and when not in use I put it on airplane mode or something like that. I received my phone bill and the data charges were reasonable under $10 and phone charges actually less than what my hotel in Berlin charged for a landline. My calls were extremely short probably not more than 2 minutes each.
When traveling in Europe there is no U.S. service on roam that is reasonably priced. When I went to Spain I only used my IPhone occasionally, and loaded a local SIM card into my quad band GSM phone that I have had for a number of years.
IMac G5, IPhone, MacBook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
florida
Registered:
Sep 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 9, 2007 7:52 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I went to portugal recently and my iphone picked up the Optimus network without me having to arrange anything with ATT or do anything with the iphone.
I did have to dial the US international access code to call the USA, but it worked great.
macbookpro and iphone
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
9
Registered:
Mar 26, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 1:25 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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well perhaps a good solution would be if apple could provide access to turning the phone feature off on the phone. I've currently got a tmobile mda. microsoft mobile allows you to turn off/on various features. i.e.: bluetooth, phone, wi-fi, etc.
if you could turn the PHONE off, and turn ON wifi, perhaps a highly anticipated skype widget would be a good solution to avoiding international roaming. we can only hope.
Mac OS X (10.4.5)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 1:38 PM
in response to: nydag
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The feature should be to just turn EDGE off (i.e. no data transfer) without turning off the phone (i.e. you would still be able to make/receive calls). For the time being, I take the SIM car out and put it in a regular unlocked phone overseas and it works fine for voice without any data charges.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
2
From:
new york
Registered:
Sep 9, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 3:40 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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To all,
Because of all the bad press, AT&T just changed their global data plan for the IPHONE to having no cancellation fee - in other words, its $24.99 for 20MB of international data per month, but they now allow you to add the plan when overseas and drop the plan when you are back. Previously, you had to pay $24.99 per month for one year and pay a $175 cancellation fee if you dropped the plan after returning from Europe.
If anyone understands why the IPHONE connecting to EDGE when the phone is turned on and charges are accrued is different than how a blackberry works when it checks for email all the time, can someone please explain it to me.
dell
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 6:10 PM
in response to: Ciao901
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You raise a good question Ciao901 about comparing it to Blackberry overseas. I don't know the answer, but I don't believe Blackberry users are being hit with the kind of charges we are seeing reported here by iphone users. I'm convinced this is something Apple needs to address and not just ATT.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 10, 2007 7:51 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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When I travel overseas monthly, I carry both the iPhone and the Blackberry. The Blackberry for some reason uses far less data than the iPhone. Probably due to the incredible screen on the iPhone. I can use the BB constantly and use a maximum of maybe 2 or 3 mg in a month. This includes IM and surfing the web. The BB has an unlimited international plan for about $65 a month and includes usage everywhere, not just 29 countries like on the limited international iPhone plan. Maybe sometime in the future there will be a plan available.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
26
Registered:
May 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 9:33 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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This is a total deal breaker for me. I am going to wait until apple opens up the iphone for all customers.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 9:59 AM
in response to: Obelix Apple
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Granted I went right from my laptop to an iPhone and therefore skipped the whole Blackberry/PDA revolution after a VERY frustrating PDA (Casiopeia, remember?) experience in 1998, but I LOVE this iPhone and all it does. Even if it doesn't have all the myriad features that alot of you seem to miss, it does exactly what I need it to do (web browse, check email, maintain contacts and calendar) and does it elegantly. The whole ipod, camera etc is just gravy. So anyway, I'm going to Germany for two weeks tomorrow and this is what I have done:
1. I called AT&T international this morning and they very nicely disabled my 'data' service (i.e. EDGE) So there will be no phantom 'Edge network' charges
2. I am on some default plan that while in Germany I can call home for $1.29 a minute. For $5.99 a month I could have reduced that to $.99 a minutes and then dropped that service when I returned.
3. I will leave my phone off (as in OFF.......not standby.........push and HOLD the button on the top until it asks you to confirm) unless I want to make a phone call or check my voicemail. I have no need to have people reach me 24/7 so this is not a problem and as a result, I will not be charge for incoming voicemail had I left my phone on standby.
4. Wireless will still work fine.
5. IF I REALLY REALLY want to leave my phone on so people CAN call me 24/7, I will drop my iPhone SIM into a cheap euro unlocked phone.
I think, after reading all these posts, that taht should do it and I'll be fine. I"ll let you know. But this procedure isn't very painful at all once you understand it.
Mac Pro
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 11:17 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Sunrisesail, what you describe will work but can you count on ATT to turn off EDGE just before you leave and turn it back on just as your return?
Removing the iPhone SIM card has the same effect of disabling EDGE, but you have complete control over when and for how long. Plus if an urgent need comes up to check/send email during the trip and no wifi is available, you can pop it back in for a few minutes.
And as you mentioned, putting the SIM card in a basic/cheapo phone overseas will let your receive/make calls with your US number without using EDGE.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 3:05 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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Abra Dabra: YEs, EDGE was disabled while I was still on the phone with AT&T as they had me cofirm that it was 'off' before I got off the phone with them. I have nothing bad to say thus far about my 6 phone calls to AT&T over the last 3 weeks. They have been patient and competent and answered my questions/fixed my problem. Maybe the international group is better than the run of the mill customer reps that alot of you may be getting instead of contacting international directly.
===================================
"Sunrisesail, what you describe will work but can you count on ATT to turn off EDGE just before you leave and turn it back on just as your return?"
Mac Pro
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Posts:
4
Registered:
Sep 11, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 3:27 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hi,
Since you are travelling a lot, let me ask you this question:
Is it possible to charge the iphone outside the US using the provided charger and an adaptor? I mean, will there be any problems charging it in Europe where the voltage is different than the US?
Thanks
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Posts:
18
Registered:
Jul 1, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 3:35 PM
in response to: ilamprinos
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Before I headed overseas, I scoured the available literature and found nothing that indicates the voltage. In an abundance of caution and not wanting to risk my new investment's health (and a faint recollection of someone's older-generation iMac going up in smoke due to an increase in voltage), I did not charge my iPhone in European outlets.
One would assume, however, that like iPods, MacBooks, etc., the iPhone can accept 110-240v. Especially with a European debut coming up in the not-too distant future.
iMac G5
Mac OS X (10.4.6)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 3:40 PM
in response to: ilamprinos
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The iPhone - like all Apple products for some time - has a universal (dual voltage) charger. It says 100-240V on the charger (in tiny print).
You'll just need an plug adapter (not a converter) to fit the jack in the country you travel to.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
18
Registered:
Jul 1, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 11, 2007 3:44 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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Thanks! So it was right under my nose the whole time. I kept looking on the iPhone itself (and the online guide, google, etc.).
iMac G5
Mac OS X (10.4.6)
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Posts:
118
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 10, 2007 5:26 PM
in response to: ilamprinos
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You simply look at the charger you use, and you will see 120 -240.
That's all you need and get the 2 pin euro adaptor that's used in most of Europe.
It will have the slots on the back end for your USA standard male plug in.
All camera charging bricks have this dual voltage as well.
The only one that didn't was the walkie talkies I brought over. That ended that story with a hit of 220.
Europe's 220 is not the same as out US 220.
They run at 50 hz while we run at 60 hz, and you may feel this in your aluminum powerbook.
I do all the time when over there.
Your best deal is to make your own power strip from here, and take it with.
Cut the US end off and replace it with the Euro 2 pin, or the Euro grounded male end.
The grounded Euro end looks the same, but has a tab for ground in the round wall outlets.
You still need to charge your cell phone and camera, and shaver, etc MP3.
This way you won't have to go shopping for adaptors over there.
Most Euro home wall plugs may only have one port in the wall to plug into vs like our dual style.
Spend wisely, not cheaply on a power strip. If it has power conditioner built in, then by all means YES, the money spent will protect your devices. $100 bucks spent is better than $30,000 worth of insurance for slam fried electronics.
Look for power strips that have the outlets turned 90 degrees and spaced for charging bricks.
Power Book G4-1.67-2GB
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
20" Cinema, Bluetooth Mouse & Keys
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Posts:
9
Registered:
Jul 17, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 12, 2007 5:56 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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WOW AT&T really needs to train their customer service reps! It took me 60 Minutes (no kidding I saw the call duration clock on the phone) to get the data plan removed off of my phone!!!
So.... I called AT&T Wireless this afternoon thinking that it would take me a few minutes to get the data plan temporarily removed. Afterall, I had been reading this discussion thread for the last week, thinking about what measures I was going to take to avoid building a ridiculously large data useage bill abroad. The threads that I read made it sound extremely easy. Just one call, tell the rep. you're going abroad and you want the data plan disabled...... presto, it's done!
**** NO!
The first thing the rep said was that she needed to look into the issue and see what she can do. Fair does, it's a new product, therefore, a fairly new kind of question so I allowed her to take her time to research the issues. When she got back on the line she told me that AT&T does not allow the data plan to be shut off. I told her that I was very sure that you could and I asked her if she could possibly call the techies to help her out. She put me on hold for another 10 min and came back saying that the phone would not work without the data plan. I explained that who ever said that to her was talking totall nonsense. Since she had never used an iPhone I explained how Safari, E-Mail, YouTube, Stocks, Weather, and Visual VoiceMail would probably not work and that I wasn't too concerned about that because I was going to stay at a hotel with free WiFi.
So, I asked to speak to a supervisor. I was on hold for another 10 min. Finally, some "dude" picked up the phone. He seemed like a "know it all". I explained to him my situation and he just repeated everything the first rep said, however, in a very smart way. He then went on to try and convince me that there was a way of turning the EDGE capabilities off through my phone without putting it in Airplane Mode. I couldn't get him to understand that I had done my research and that I was a 100% sure it wasn't possible. He suggested that I speak to an Apple Care rep so that they could walk me through on how to do it. I had a better idea for him, I told him to call Apple Care himself and ask them if it's possible before he blindly transfers me over to them.
I was put on hold for ANOTHER 10 mins!
At this point I was getting a little upset. I was making the call from work and my manager, who noticed I wasn't working was giving me the look. The supervisor got back on the phone and guess what Apple Care told him? IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO TURN OF EDGE THROUGH YOUR PHONE WITHOUT PUTTING IT IN AIRPLANE MODE! Now I was just fuming, so gave him a piece of my mind.
His next solution was to call up his "backoffice technicians" and I was put on hold for another 10 mins! Finally he got back on the line and said he would have to shut off the data plan on my account.
What a moron. He should have done a little bit of research before giving me a flat out "NO, WE CAN'T DO THAT" as an answer.
Anyway, the Data Plan is off and I'm happy now. I forgive him, because the product is new and he has never even touched an iPhone himself and therefore will never know how it works.
PS. It took the supervisor 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the data plan off on his end. During which he was trying to convince me that the service was off even though the blue E icon was showing in the top left corner!
iPhone 8G
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 12, 2007 7:48 PM
in response to: Iphone junkie
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iPHone Junkie: Boy your experience is 180 degrees different from mine. Are you sure you called the AT&T international wireless number that I posted a week or so ago here? Not only did they disable my data/EDGE within 5 minutes and it was immediately 'off'. But when I decided that I didn't want to turn it off that early, they turned it back on and then yesterday when I called to actually turn it off two days before my trip, within 5 mins they turned it off, no problem. Yes, the little "E" is still in the upper right hand corner, but you can't access it and a message will come on the screen stating "Unable to Access Edge". The two times I called in, I got two different reps who seemed COMPLETELY familiar with the issue and in fact I didn't even have to mention I had an iPhone (although I did later in the conversation).
Mac Pro
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Posts:
9
Registered:
Jul 17, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 13, 2007 10:15 AM
in response to: sunrisesail
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You know what... just realised I didn't call the international roaming department. I guess that's why it took me so long. Nevertheless, I explained the situation to the rep, they should have put me in touch with the right people straight away.
So you're EDGE icon is still there? Anyone, else still have the icon still there? Mine is totally gone, I'm wondering if they totally messed mine up or not. I have to admit ever since they shut the data plan off I'm having difficulty getting on to my WiFi at home.
Maybe I should call the International Romaing Dept. and get it fixed before I run into issues when I'm abroad.
iPhone 8G
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 13, 2007 10:25 AM
in response to: Iphone junkie
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The "E" up in the corner just means that EDGE is available, not that you can access it. I oftentimes have the "E" disappear too, but that's just because I'm in an area with weak E signals. I have had NO problem getting onto wifi at home or anywhere else. We'll see what happens when I arrive in Germany tomorrow morning.
Mac Pro
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Posts:
42
From:
Chicago
Registered:
Sep 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 13, 2007 2:39 PM
in response to: sunrisesail
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Did NOT read every post, but what would happen if you went to Settings -> General -> Network and take out the EDGE settings... Wouldn't that prevent connecting to the EDGE network?
Sorry if this is a foolish assumption!
Old iBook G3
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
I have an Uber-fast Quad core PC
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 13, 2007 2:46 PM
in response to: Enlil242
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Would be nice if such a setting existed. Don't see it on my iphone. On yours?
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
42
From:
Chicago
Registered:
Sep 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 13, 2007 3:02 PM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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D'oh, um, I, uh, guess I don't... :-/
Old iBook G3
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
I have an Uber-fast Quad core PC
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Posts:
24
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 9:10 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Simple question. Can I remove the sim card before going to europe and still use the iphone as a wifi device?
Has anyone actually done it?
Ned
imac g5
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 10:51 AM
in response to: ECL
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yes, that works 100%. Another method is to go to setting, phone and scroll down to PIN. Turn it on and assign a simple pin. When you turn off your phone and back on, the sim will be locked and you'll not be able to use edge or your phone until you choose to unlock. Wifi will still work.
It's better than taking the sim out......
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
24
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 10:56 AM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Really? Then is that the equivalent of shutting off edge and the phone? Seems too simple. Are we sure that the phone still won't poll the edge phone network and thus trigger a charge?
I was afraid after buying the iphone that I would have to buy a touch to get just wifi.
imac g5
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 11:11 AM
in response to: ECL
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It really is that simply. Try it now. The other benefit is if you lose you phone nobody can use it to rack up a big bill for you. I would recommend a simple 4 digit code that you won't forget. If you decide you don't like it you can always turn it off.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
us
Registered:
Sep 15, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 11:46 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Well, you guys have me convinced! When I go to Europe next March, I'll just stick my IPhone sim card into my Razor, take my laptop and use it on hotel wifi, or at an internet cafe, just as I always have, and just use my Iphone as an IPod only. The IPhone's a fun toy as long as it's kept home in the USA.
Bob
macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
los angeles
Registered:
Sep 15, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 15, 2007 6:38 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I travel to Guatemala alot...what i do is buy the sim card from Guatemala and us it with a t-mobile or at&t phone that is unlocked. The sim card from Guatemala is pre-paid. I want to buy the Iphone and use it as an Ipod and only us it as a phone in Guatemala. Does anyone know if im able to do this?
NV
vaio
Windows XP
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Posts:
34
Registered:
Jul 1, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:26 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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OK. So I finally called AT&T Customer Service about it. Here is my problem:
I do not wish to use the Internet when I am travelling overseas. Its too expensive at 2 cents/kB. I would like to continue to be able to send and receive text messages and phone calls while overseas.
I tried using Airplane mode but I can't get my calls. Every time I come out of Airplane mode, it seems my iPhone periodically connects to AT&T via the Internet even when I am not using the Internet. Perhaps its doing this to check Visual Voicemail, who knows - but according to my bill it does.
Can I just disable International Data Roaming? I just don't want to use it overseas. I travel overseas a lot. AT&T: Nope, not possible. International Data Roaming is always on.
Can I then cancel my data package for a month? I won't be able to use EDGE at all but its better then spending $'00s on data that I didn't know about. AT&T: Nope, you have the data plan with a 2 year commitment.
Can I disable EDGE on my iPhone when I am traveling then? AT&T: (Passed me on to iPhone tech) . Nope, you cannot do that sir.
OK. Can you unlock my phone so that I can use a local carrier when I am overseas? I will still use AT&T in the US, I will pay my bill for two years. AT&T: lmao!!!
So what legal and authorized method do I have to not spend money on International Data Roaming? I just do not want that option.
MacBook, Powerbook 12, Cube, iPod, iPhone :D
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:36 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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Eng, take the SIM out of your iPhone: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305746
This disables EDGE and turns your iPhone into the wifi device (like the Touch but with email, etc.).
Put the iPhone's SIM into a cheap/unlocked phone. You'll be able to receive and make calls on your US/ATT number but with no EDGE activity/charges.
As another member pointed out, you can disable EDGE without removing the SIM but putting a password on your SIM (and not entering it), but this presumably won't allow you to make receive calls on your number.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:38 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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There is another option for the iPhone.
Go to Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.
Select ON to turn the SIM PIN on. You will be prompted for an existing password. Enter 1111.
You can then change this 4 digit password to your preference.
When SIM PIN is ON, this will require entering the chosen SIM PIN password when turning on the iPhone to activate/turn on the SIM card in order to receive or place any calls and for EDGE access. WiFi access will work.
With SIM PIN ON and if you have Passcode Lock enabled, you will be prompted for your Passcode Lock password first.
The next prompt will be:
SIM Locked - with OK or Unlock below.
If you select OK, the SIM card remains off and no calls can be placed or received (except for an emergency 911 call which is mandated by the FCC), no SMS capability and this also prevents EDGE access. WiFi access and all other functions work as normal.
To unlock the SIM card at this prompt, select Unlock and you will be prompted to enter the chosen PIN or password to unlock the SIM for full cell phone and EDGE access.
I haven't determined a way to turn the SIM card off after being enabled except for turning the iPhone off.
When returning from your trip, you can disable or turn off the SIM PIN lock.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:42 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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Eng, take the SIM out of your iPhone: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305746
This disables EDGE and turns your iPhone into a wifi device (like the Touch but with email, etc.). Put the iPhone's SIM into a cheap/unlocked phone. You'll be able to receive and make calls on your US/ATT number but with no EDGE activity/charges.
As another member pointed out, you can disable EDGE without removing the SIM by putting a password on your SIM (and not entering it), but this presumably won't allow you to make receive calls on your number.
Removing the SIM is the workaround I use until Apple fixes this problem by providing an option to turn off EDGE alone.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:42 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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There is another option for the iPhone.
Go to Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.
Select ON to turn the SIM PIN on. You will be prompted for an existing password. Enter 1111.
You can then change this 4 digit password to your preference.
When SIM PIN is ON, this will require entering the chosen SIM PIN password when turning on the iPhone to activate/turn on the SIM card in order to receive or place any calls and for EDGE access. WiFi access will work.
With SIM PIN ON and if you have Passcode Lock enabled, you will be prompted for your Passcode Lock password first.
The next prompt will be:
SIM Locked - with OK or Unlock below.
If you select OK, the SIM card remains off and no calls can be placed or received (except for an emergency 911 call which is mandated by the FCC), no SMS capability and this also prevents EDGE access. WiFi access and all other functions work as normal.
To unlock the SIM card at this prompt, select Unlock and you will be prompted to enter the chosen PIN or password to unlock the SIM for full cell phone and EDGE access.
I haven't determined a way to turn the SIM card off after being enabled except for turning the iPhone off.
When returning from your trip, you can disable or turn off the SIM PIN lock.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 1:46 PM
in response to: Eng Yew
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There is another option for the iPhone.
Go to Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.
Select ON to turn the SIM PIN on. You will be prompted for an existing password. Enter 1111.
You can then change this 4 digit password to your preference.
When SIM PIN is ON, this will require entering the chosen SIM PIN password when turning on the iPhone to activate/turn on the SIM card in order to receive or place any calls and for EDGE access. WiFi access will work.
With SIM PIN ON and if you have Passcode Lock enabled, you will be prompted for your Passcode Lock password first.
The next prompt will be:
SIM Locked - with OK or Unlock below.
If you select OK, the SIM card remains off and no calls can be placed or received (except for an emergency 911 call which is mandated by the FCC), no SMS capability and this also prevents EDGE access. WiFi access and all other functions work as normal.
To unlock the SIM card at this prompt, select Unlock and you will be prompted to enter the chosen PIN or password to unlock the SIM for full cell phone and EDGE access.
I haven't determined a way to turn the SIM card off after being enabled except for turning the iPhone off.
When returning from your trip, you can disable or turn off the SIM PIN lock.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
34
Registered:
Jul 1, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 16, 2007 6:34 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Ok thanks. Not being able to make and receive calls is really not a practical option. So I guess I'll still have to carry my trusty old Nokia 6820 which I got from AT&T 3 years ago. It does calls when I want it, does SMS when I want it, and most importantly access the Internet only when I want it. Thats the workaround for my brand new iPhone when I'm travelling.
MacBook, Powerbook 12, Cube, iPod, iPhone :D
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
NYC
Registered:
Sep 17, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 17, 2007 6:18 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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here is my problem:
i want to use my iPhone overseas. (period)
I DO NOT want email, internet, any of the crap.
I ONLY WANT people to be able to call me , and me to call them. thats it.
HOW in the world can i make this possible only soley using my PHONE and not the iPHONE extras?
im not using this phone to show it off, i just want a phone.
I might be fully moving to europe in a year, and i feel like i've made the biggest mistake by buying this phone yesterday. And i bought it specifically to be able to globally use it as a PHONE! I have my mac with me constanly and im not going to die if i don't use internet for a month while my stay back home in europe for that period. BUT PLEASE GIVE ME AN ANSWER ASAP!
also one thing. does that texting plan that goes for $9.99 for texting and picture mail internationally (using it in the US) really only cost 10 bucks or are they ripping you off to.
does anyone think that Apple will finally get a carrier for the iPhone before febuary of 2008 or atleast the summer of 2008? that way ATT users can just go off the iPhone plans of other carriers overseas in the country they are visiting.
ibook g4
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
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Posts:
66
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Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 17, 2007 10:31 PM
in response to: emiliab
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You basically want to turn off EDGE but nothing else. You have two options:
1. remove the SIM card and put in a cheap/unlocked phone through which you can make/receive calls (and your iPhone becomes a wireless device).
2. before your travel, call ATT International customer support and ask them to turn off EDGE. This will allow you to use the phone for calls but not for data (other than wifi data).
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 18, 2007 8:06 AM
in response to: Abra Dabra
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Looks like help is on the way!
Engadget reports that the UK iPhone on O2 they just played with is running version 1.1.1 of the firmware which among other things provides an option to turn off EDGE. Presumably this firmware upgrade would also be available in the US and so that's good news for all of us who've had to either remove the SIM or ask ATT to turn EDGE off to date:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/18/hands-on-with-the-o2-iphone/
Thanks Apple!
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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3
From:
Amsterdam
Registered:
Sep 19, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 19, 2007 3:44 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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as i often work in germany i found this least-cost-router called cellity!!!
some time ago they launched a feature called "world call"
by installing the cellity application you also get other nice features, but also the world call thing with which you can save much money calling from all over the world to any other place (check: http://www.cellity.com/en/tarife.html to see the prices!)
i hope this advice will help you...
SchuttleX PC
Windows XP
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3
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Sep 21, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 21, 2007 4:05 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hello. Please help me.
I want to buy an iPhone, without the at&t account. I want to take it to Hungary, and use it here. I can unlock it, but what to do with the at&t account?
Please who can resolve my problem, send me an e-mail to vitmarci@yahoo.com!
Thank you very much!
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Posts:
1,027
From:
Los Angeles, CA
Registered:
May 30, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 21, 2007 4:54 PM
in response to: vitmarci
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Vitmarci,
You keep posting this same post in many different threads. You've already been told that we cannot help you use the iPhone for purposes for which it is not intended. In this case, we are prohibited from helping you use the phone without an AT&T account.
Your off-topic and repeated posts will get you permanently banned from these forums.
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
90
From:
CA
Registered:
Nov 9, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 23, 2007 7:10 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Just returned from 3 weeks in Belgium & France. iPhone worked everywhere we went with no problems at all.
I did call AT&T and set up internationa roaming before I left - about $5 something per month - I have to keep this for 2 months before I can cancel it.
I check email and used the web while there.
Just got my bill with 3 weeks use in europe:
Phone calls were billed at $1.29 per minute
I did email and used Safari.
Total bill wass $286 - $69 of that was my normal monthly charge.
Hope this helped.
MacBook Pro & Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
2-2.66Ghz dual core, 4GB, 2HD, ATI Radeon, 2 16X sup drs - 30" Cinema disp.
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Posts:
1
From:
atlanta, ga. usa
Registered:
Sep 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 23, 2007 4:17 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I will recomend to call AT&T first to make sure you go oversea knowing how much they will charge you for data and regular phone calls or roaming.
My own experience was not very happy. I was in Argentina for about a month. Technically I had no complaints with my iphone. It worked just like if I was in the US, thanks to Movistar -the carrier AT&T use in Argentina, but yes they charge you for incoming calls that you don't even answer or go to your voicemail.
So you, like I did, could be very happy with your iphone oversea but wait until you come back and check your account. Hundreds of dollars is just unacceptable. When I was with Nextel and traveld to south america in the past I never had such rideculous rates.
I am one of the thousands that will never get back my 200 hundred dollars for the iphone that I bought that memorable june 29th of 2007. Only 100 dollars was given back. And if I add to that the astronomic charges for travelers, that makes my expirience with the just married couple Apple-AT&T not very happy. They may be still enjoing their honeymoon but for me had been a surprise after another. Open it up Apple for the good of all of us.
imac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
2
From:
hamburg
Registered:
Sep 18, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 25, 2007 5:27 AM
in response to: idany
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It is a shame to pay up to 200dollars. I stopped using iphone when going abroad. I will check the service reccomenden by zimbol.
Cellity war available in selected countries of Europe, but it seems to be available for international public. All you need to do is to download a small application and install it on your mobile phone to save costs.
toshiba
Windows XP
my partner uses Apple
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Posts:
1
From:
California
Registered:
Sep 25, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 25, 2007 10:17 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Guys;
Sadly, this is how the Global Telecoms agreements work - milk every dollar ou of us when we travel. I have a cheap $80 Nokia phone that I use in Asia (SIngapore, Malaysia, Indonesia etc.) I inform everyone the contact number (only once) when I travel to Asia. Even international calls are so dam cheap from Asia to US, it is cheaper for someone to send you a SMS and you simply call them back on your Asia cell. I use my US phone only in emergencies. AT&T's internatonal agreements (technical) suck!
I know this does not resolve this issue, but after getting hammered like some of you on this post, this is the best solution I could come up with. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Regards,
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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12
Registered:
Aug 27, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 26, 2007 4:22 PM
in response to: neverfollow
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Has anyone tried to use SKYPE at the Wi-Fi centers to make calls?
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
21
From:
erie, pa
Registered:
Aug 14, 2007
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Posts:
1
Registered:
Sep 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 27, 2007 8:31 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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AT&T rep told me yesterday, that the 20MB international data plan ($24.99) does not require the one year agreement anymore. He said this was changed about three weeks ago. (Sorry if someone else mentioned this before, this is a long thread)
Windows Vista
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Posts:
1
From:
New York City
Registered:
Sep 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 27, 2007 1:59 PM
in response to: SFC @rcher
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On trip abroad in August, I decided not to bring my iPhone in fear of damaging it. I was hiking in Africa but still needed a mobile. I popped out the SIM and put it into my treo. I experienced all the price issues discussed above but discovered another fun AT&T issue. The operator told me that each time I put the SIM card in a phone other then my iPhone, my two year contract would reset to start that day. How's that for customer service?
PC
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
1
From:
Texas/Japan
Registered:
Sep 27, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 27, 2007 6:00 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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... careful now ...!
AT&T has the service ... but sadly it will NOT work with your iphone (with the possible exception of England in the near future)!
Mac Pro
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9
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Jul 17, 2007
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Turn of EDGE with the new software update!
Posted:
Sep 27, 2007 6:19 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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So, if you've already downloaded the new software upgrade you might have noticed that you can now turn off data roaming simply by going to settings->network->data roaming.
After days, nights, and weeks of debating with AT&T about whether or not the service can be shut off or not, apple finally sorted it out. However, for me it's come a little to late. I just came back from Vienna, Austria and AT&T refused to shut my data roaming off and therefore I was forced to purchase the $25 data roaming package.
Oh well, I'm a loyal "appleite" and it was my decision to get the iPhone before all these issues were solved.
Happy iPhoning everyone!
PS. AT&T says that even though I'm back in the country and will be staying for the next few months I should still continue paying $25 a month until my data charges from abroad get reported to AT&T by the foreign carrier. In other words, I have to pay $25 bucks a month for a service I don't even need!! AT&T loves to rip us loyal "appleites" off. It knows it can get away with it right now.
iPhone 8G
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
87
From:
australia
Registered:
Sep 28, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 28, 2007 9:11 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I bought an iPhone in July and two weeks later was sent out of the country for several weeks. I got on the ATT international plan -- and GOT RIPPED by data charges! (I will spare you the details, but how does $2,000 bill grab you for four weeks?) Forget using this phone overseas unless you want to see bills like you have never seen before. I simply had to shut mine off and will eat the loss and sell it once I get back to the States. This is no product for international travel. No way. The lack of a SIM card is a major problem if you leave the host country regularly.
macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
66
Registered:
Oct 17, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Sep 28, 2007 9:42 PM
in response to: garagecapital
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Garagecapital, I feel your pain, having been hit by outrageous data charges myself (though not as bad as your case). However now with the most recent firmware update (1.1.1.) you have the option to turn off data roaming:
Settings > General > Network > Data Roaming: off
That guarantees you have zero EDGE activity and just free wireless access for email, web, etc. and of course the phone still works for voice calls.
Mac OS X (10.4.2)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA-Spain
Registered:
Oct 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 2, 2007 1:06 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hey,
I am studying in the US and i would really like to buy an iPhone. I am from Spain and i go there every holiday, and I...NEED an iPhone, I wanted to know:
1. When is the iPhone going to be in Spain? How much would it cost? Any difference from the US iPhone?
2. If I buy the iPhone here in the US, and i get an AT&T account with the unlimited SMS thing, can i use the minutes i get monthly to call US to Spain or Spain to Spain? Can i send unlimited SMS from US to Spain or Spain to Spain?
3. Can i have an AT&T plan without being an US citizen? I only have a VISA and my parents are not US citizens either.
4. If this does not work, is there any way to put a Vodafone or Movistar (Spain's carries) in my american iPhone without getting it blocked?
Thank you very much,
Manuel Moreno
Windows XP
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Posts:
1
From:
Texas
Registered:
Oct 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 2, 2007 6:40 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I'm just hoping that Steve (and Apple in general) and his friends at AT&T read this (and related) discussion topics, because they just lost a potential customer for the iPhone (me) for the time being (until they come to senses and stop ripping off users who want to use the iPhone on their international travels) ... and others may feel the same way ... once again here is an example for corporate ignorance of user's practical needs and desires
Various MAC models
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
95
From:
wouldn't apple like to know
Registered:
Oct 1, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 2, 2007 6:49 PM
in response to: germansurfer
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money speaks louder than us. Im pretty sure they are aware of what they are doing and its probably a minor risk of customer loss to prfits made. For every dis-satified customer there are 20 blissfull happier people raoming and paying like it nothing because the phone is too cool to notice.
do it matter
Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier
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Posts:
1
From:
USA
Registered:
Oct 3, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 3, 2007 6:57 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Thanks for the information everyone.
How much are text messages overseas?
Is there a way to use wifi and text without getting hit on incoming call/voicemail charges?
HPLaptop
Windows XP Pro
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Posts:
556
Registered:
May 31, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 3, 2007 7:07 AM
in response to: S.West
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I am surprised nobody mentions another problem with roaming. When you roam you're using a U.S. telephone number abroad, which means if people want to call you locally they have to dial a foreign number to reach you. This will incur costs not only for the caller but for you too. So basically, it's pretty useless as a device to be reached at when you're abroad - except for your U.S. friends and family.
Apple needs to do something quickly.
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
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Posts:
2
From:
Los Angeles, CA
Registered:
Oct 5, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 5, 2007 12:39 AM
in response to: PaulNYC
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Does anyone know, if I want to take my iphone to the uk and want to use safari and the ipod, but not the phone, would that be possible?
HP Pavillian
Windows Vista
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Posts:
47
Registered:
Jul 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 5, 2007 6:57 AM
in response to: Cordiner84
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I just got back from a week in England, and before I left I had AT&T turn off my EDGE data. My firmware was 1.0.2 and didn't have the feature that's been added in 1.1.1. I also signed up for the $5.99/month international roaming. So I got my bill yesterday and my overseas charges totaled $87.00. I had no data charges. My international text messages were $0.50 each. My minutes were $0.99/minute, whether I was calling a number in England or calling to the U.S. or receiving a call from the U.S. I have now discontinued the International roaming service. So I'm pleased with the service. If you don't deactivate EDGE roaming, you're going to be in big trouble unless you get an international data plan. You can use Safari as long as you've got a WIFI connection. There's no charges for data you receive using WIFI.
Mac Mini
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
Chicago
Registered:
Jul 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 5, 2007 7:18 AM
in response to: Cordiner84
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Does anyone know, if I want to take my iphone to the uk and want
to use safari and the ipod, but not the phone, would that be possible?
I just returned from a trip to Paris and used my iPhone only as a wi-fi device by pulling the sim card. Email and Safari worked fine. Wi-fi was readily available. Zero AT&T charges.
(Didn't need a phone.)
J
G5
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
47
Registered:
Jul 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 5, 2007 7:01 AM
in response to: PaulNYC
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No, they just dial your regular number in the U.S. if they're dialing from the U.S. If they're in England let's say, using an English phone account, then its dialed as an international number.
Mac Mini
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
118
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 8, 2007 8:27 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Let me just add a little known fact about over seas calling.
1. I use -T-Mobile.
2. They (T-Mobile) will before you leave the states, will lie straight to your face that the calling rate is $1 a minute while over seas.
3. I travel to Amsterdam, Germany, and Sweden 3 times a year for 2-3 months at a time.
4. T-Mobile while claiming only a dollar a minute, does not say one thing to you about multiple roaming fees which add up to $5 a minute.
5. The fact you have your handset on, even if you do not answer the calls, will be $5 a minute.
The handset is constantly updating your location.
6. After weeks of arguments between them, and my bill of over $500, and for not using my cell phone for more than 10 minutes with live voice, will finally admit to saying, SHUT the cellphone off.
7. They also argued that you cannot use local phone sim cards in Europe.
8. This is false, as soon as you arrive at Amsterdam airport Schiphol, head to cell phone booth and purchase a local T-Mobile local card for 30 -50 bucks. Or any they offer.
9. You will then get a new cell number just for Holland.
10. The best part of this deal is in Europe, there is never a charge for incoming calls.
My prepaid $50 card lasted all month. Regardless of how many calls received.
11. Your USA friends will have to use this new number to reach you. So email them the new number.
12. Your new number is good for 6 months if you return to Europe before it expires.
This saves you from paying the extra fee to get a new number.
13. You will get voice mail with new number, but like on my Blackberry, you don't get all the features with prepaid cards. But you can always flip in the USA sim and do Yahoo chat while on the trains.
14. Even though your dealing with AT&T, you may discover similar activity.
Although, T-Mobile is very big in Europe with full coverage, except Sweden. Vonage & Telia are the main services there. No T-Mobile.
15. Traveling outside of prepaid service area warning.
This is critical, as the service triples as you cross borders, as in going from Holland to Germany.
As soon as you cross any border, just head to any gas station, and you can purchase a new sim for that area. Shops close early in Europe, so plan ahead as to where cell phone stores are located.
16> It may be advisable to purchase a simple cell and local service while traveling through out Europe. Getting home and discovering a bill beyond comprehension will blow your mind and deep pocket seams.
Good Luck...
Power Book G4-1.67-2GB
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
20" Cinema, Bluetooth Mouse & Keys
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Posts:
4
From:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Registered:
Sep 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 9, 2007 12:14 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Thanks for this thread, it was really interesting. Personally, until the iPhone is available with T-mobile, I won't be getting it. I do need the ability to switch out SIMs as well as better international calling features. For that, T-mobile is awesome.
Macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
4
From:
MN, USA
Registered:
Oct 7, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 9, 2007 1:28 PM
in response to: SoarAway
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In case you haven't heard or seen, Apple has heard all your complaints and in the new firmware 1.1.1 the roaming issue has been fixed. Data Roaming (EDGE) is disabled by default and Auto-Email update is turned off at least for Yahoo that I know of. AT&T has a iPhone Data Roaming rate of $24 a month that as of now can be used for 1 month at a time, no contract. It's limited to 20mb download and certain cariers which is not very good. Not the greatest but internation calling and roaming has long been an issue, too bad so many folks had to find out the hard way. But maybe all the screaming will and looks like has gotten things changed. I guess if live on the bleeding EDGE you can get burnt by the EDGE...
Intel
Windows Vista
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Posts:
1
From:
Boston
Registered:
Oct 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 10, 2007 4:18 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I used it in England and France. AT&T has an agreement with local carriers there. You need to call AT&T and request the service first. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the phone.... It works very well though and if you need it for business it almost like being in the States.
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
4
From:
richmod, va
Registered:
Oct 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 10, 2007 8:55 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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yes i work for att and yes you can use iphone overeas. you just need to call me and i willget the feature added to you account. i will also send the detailed via email or fax or you can just come by and see me.
my name is CAB Briggs cell 804 405-1195 I HANDLE MOST IPHONE ACCOUNTS
macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
Wien Austria
Registered:
Oct 11, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 11, 2007 8:33 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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On September 8th I signed up for AT&T to work with my iPhone. I told them that I would be moving to Vienna (Wien) Austria and that any international calling would be made there and in the surrounding areas. All was set up for this move. It was costing a little over 1.30€ a min to talk to anyone but i didn't worry too much on that since I was told that "edge" would work and I could get emails and use the internet while I was in Vienna. I arrived in Vienna on the 12th. Nothing worked on my phone and the activation screen came back up. When i got to my apartment I hooked up to itunes and everything appeared to work. it reactivated and the home screen on the phone came to view. The status bar said i was latched on to the A1 network but behold, nothing worked again. I couldn't make calls in or out and edge didn't work.
AT&T got the best of me.
I spent 12€ at an internet cafe on the phone with att, trying to explain to them what has happened. First they didn't believe me that I was where I was and they wouldn't refund my money. Second they kept me on hold while they transfered me around to 5 different departments.
An already long story short. I dumped Att, hacked my phone and now i use it on the yesss network. The only thing i don't get is visual voicemail (small price to pay).
I am a die-hard mac user and the iPhone is the best thing that has ever happened to me but ATT is a company that lacks in ethics. I will always use mac and i support everything that they do. I just don't support ATT.
Free your mind, free your heart, free your phone. Unlock your life.
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
118
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 12, 2007 7:20 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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What most of You are missing including the AT&T Sales Rep is the typical international kit just lets You access the network while over seas in 4G mode, if your handset has it.
We are very aware that other vendor cards do not work in locked handsets.
This is standard across the board.
Are there local AT&T pre-paid sim cards when we get there?
Or is what an International Kit should contain - Correct? Can You shed Light on this?
I'd pay extra in a heart beat if this was the case. To already be set up getting off the plane and slip in the country sim, and we're done till we return.
At times, You have no idea where to go to get a pre-paid card, or a way to get there.
If You get overseas to say Amsterdam where I go 3-4 times a year, and You don't get a local calling number, your are roaming on other networks charging You a $1 a minute for each carrier used.
Bada B-Ching, $5 dollars a minute is what you will see on Your bill when You get back home.
AT&T outlets, Kiosk, or store anywhere in Europe is not in your face.
T-Mobile is what I use w/BlackBerry. It's all You see no matter where you go.
Except Sweden where I tour as well. Be Careful up there.
They too (T-Mobile) said prior to my first tour said they will get me into the International package.
OH, and it's only a dollar a minute,, cool I go. No big deal.. They never mentioned prepaid local cards.
Wrong, now all your friends and business connections in Europe are now forced to call International to Your handset number back to the USA, and then roam back to Europe where You are sitting across from them. Real Smart.
Now You look like an idiot.
All you had to do is go to any gas station, grocery store, and get a local T-Mobile Prepaid sim card that gets you a local Netherlands phone number, and never a charge for incoming calls. $30-$50 Euro's lasts all month in that country.
OK AT&T rep, I would like to see actual billing from anyone currently in Europe, living in the USA, for the last months activity using so called International package and the base location of the phone number while there.
Other News: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/05/are-us-cellphone-carriers-calcified/
PB G4-1.67-2GB
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Cinema 20" Bl/Tooth Mouse/Keys
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Posts:
44
From:
California
Registered:
Sep 29, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 12, 2007 11:01 PM
in response to: Philscbx
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This thread is too long.
Can someone please summarize?
The best input I heard so far was this:
"Take the SIM out and put it into an unlocked phone and use that for voice and texts, keeping your exact same phone number. Then you can use the iPhone for data at any wifi spot free of charge."
Is that still accurate information?
Sony Vaio VGN-TXN27N
Windows XP Pro
Laptop, Itunes, Iphone, no iPod.
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118
Registered:
Feb 13, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 13, 2007 12:58 PM
in response to: HLT
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I don't think so, and sorry for extended thread.
Putting same USA sim in unlocked set may work, but you will be billed accordingly.
As for wifi on the iphone with out sim.. No idea.
That's why I stated what I did about seeking out a local sim.
Or just get a local handset and card at once and leaving the iphone packed if you cannot
locate what's needed in the time you have there.
Better yet, just use a spare set a friend has sitting around.
You can waste a lot of travel time pursuing a dead end.
Are you currently in the process of going over?
How much time will you have?
Can You legally drive where you are going?
Do you already have international drivers lic?
I was stopped by the Dutch Police in a random check of all in that lane.
They don't like US drivers in Dutch cars. I can promise you that.
Message was edited by: Philscbx
PB G4-1.67-2GB
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Cinema 20" Bl/Tooth Mouse/Keys
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Posts:
1
From:
usa
Registered:
Oct 15, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 15, 2007 11:03 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Our friend used Orange while we traveled Switzerland. He set it up before he left the States. Wonderful reception even in the mountains.
sony vaio
Windows 98
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1
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Oct 19, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 18, 2007 10:31 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Sorry guys, but why don't you just unlock the iphone to use it with any GSM network worldwide. All my friends in Europe have done this and it works absolutely smoothly. Good luck, Duetto
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Posts:
2
From:
Nigeria
Registered:
Nov 17, 2007
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Using iphone overseas
Posted:
Nov 17, 2007 5:09 AM
in response to: Duetto
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Hi, Please how can i unlock my iphone. I live and bought my iphone in Nigeria for over $1000. Got online to download the itune thing and update the software but alas the phone is not working again. It says my SIM is incorrect and i need to insert an unlocked and valid SIM. Please why on earth will iphone be sold in a country where there is no AT&T coverage and no presence of an apple support provider.
Can anyone help me on how i can unlock and use my iphone without having to leave Nigeria nor subscribe to any foreign service provider.
Thank you
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Posts:
24,157
From:
The Lone Star State ☆
Registered:
May 12, 2003
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Re: Using iphone overseas
Posted:
Nov 17, 2007 5:28 AM
in response to: nkiruka
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Apple is not selling iPhones in Nigeria. Apple sells iPhones in the U.S., the UK, Germany and France only at the present time.
This is a semi-black market of sorts with iPhones purchased from the U.S. and then being sold at a huge premium - $1,000? WOW!
Sorry but why on earth would anyone purchase an iPhone in a country where Apple doesn't sell iPhones in the first place nor has any arrangement or carrier lock with a cellular provider such as AT&T in the U.S., O2 in the UK, T-Mobile in Germany and Orange in France?
The iPhone you purchased should have been sold as unlocked already allowing you to use another GSM provider's SIM card but this prevents installing any iPhone updates made available by Apple through iTunes.
Were you able to use this iPhone with another provider in Nigeria prior to installing this iPhone update via iTunes? If so, you have now bricked your iPhone which means it is now unusable due to installing this update. People that hack their iPhones or purchase an iPhone that is already hacked for them are stuck with the iPhone version installed on the iPhone at the time of purchase.
PowerBook G4 17-inch/1.67GHz/2GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.5)
7200rpm-100GB HD, iPod w/Video 30GB, iPhone 8GB
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Posts:
14
From:
Houston TX
Registered:
Sep 2, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 19, 2007 6:53 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Now that i read this story i am frkn scared i am in the military and so far since i got the iphone ive used it in bahrain and dubai and now australia but only the internet no calls. I would say average of 10 to fifteen minutes a day for like only 5 days since i had duty alot and its been stuff like google yahoo and apple .com's no downloading or emailing can anyone tell me the price i might be looking at in the bill. And what im nervous about is that i share the line with my dad so can someone tell me please the price you all think by experience or knowledge thank you!!
Windows XP
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5
From:
Northern Califonia
Registered:
Nov 29, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 24, 2007 7:18 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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This is the sad fact of the cell phone industry creating essentially a subscriber lock one could always write to one's public officials about it.
Given that consumers are spending as much as $600 on combination cell
phone/personal digital assistants, it is wasteful and uneconomic for consumers to have to dump those phones in the trash every time they want to switch service providers. If consumers could keep their cell phones when they switch carriers, we believe both the costs of phones and wireless service would decline, as companies are forced to compete more directly on the price of their equipment and service. Nearly all carriers use software locks that artificially prevent a customer from taking a phone to another network when changing carriers, even when that phone would otherwise be fully functional on the competitor's network. Although the locks take different forms with different network technologies, they all have the same effect—users needlessly have to throw away perfectly good technology if they change carriers. While some carriers acknowledge they will unlock phones under certain terms, these conditions do not allow consumers to switch without incurring unnecessary cost and hassle. GSM carriers implement software installed on the phone prior to retail sale that locks a handset to that carrier. TDMA companies use "system operator code" (SOC) locks and some CDMA carriers use “master subsidy locks” that disable subscribers' ability to
program their phones.
Xserve,iMacg5,G5,g5DP, emac, iMacg4, ibook,ibook g4,powerbook, windows
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Mac Shop lots of macs not just one
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Posts:
3
From:
Caliifornia
Registered:
Oct 6, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 26, 2007 6:09 PM
in response to: Metro Admin
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First, I agree this thread is way toooo long. Time to summarize what some of us have learned. I have been with AT&T international service for seven years and they do very intentionally rip new customers off. It is a huge, huge profit center for them. My first trip to Europe with the phone required me to do a fair amount of internet work. They told me I had an international plan activated. Naively, I didn't worry about it too much. Arriving home we found total bill for 11 days in Europe was $2200 for phone & internet. They issue no warnings upfront and thousands and thousands of users get stung and then try to negotiate a price break in arrears. No up front warnings is borderline criminal. Anyone who defends this ongoing intentional rip off is naive at best and it has been going on for many years.
Regarding international text messaging, my AT&T store told me last week that on the plan - say from Sydney AUS for example - each message is $.50 to send. They told me that the gotcha is that it's $.50 for me to send it from Sydney and $.50 for my wife to receive it in the U.S. We both travel internationally so much every month that we've never noticed whether or not this double billing for text messages is true or not.
As far as the iPhone voicemail, when you turn the phone on the voicemail is automatically sent to your iPhone and stored in memory. You can check your voicemails with the phone feature turned off because they are stored in the iPhones memory, not at AT&T. By the way, AT&T has the worst voicemail in the country when you have a regular cell phone. The iPhone minimizes the sheer stupidity and inflexibility of the AT&T voicemail system, but the price for that relief is that every time you turn on your iPhone overseas, your voicemails are transmitted whether you like it or not, ready to be heard.
So, additional questions I do not understand for sure:
1. Can we ourselves easily turn off the voicemail reception feature if we so desire - and no, I'm not going to go to the store three or four times a month to have them turn it off for me.
2. Is it correct that we turn off all data roaming & applicable charges completely when overseas by going to: Settings> General> Network> & then turning off Data Roaming & (I assume)Wi-Fi just to be safe??
3. On the plus side, the iPhone and or AT&T have made international phone calling fantastically simple by eliminating the need to come up with all the country codes to manually dial as a prefix as you travel from country to country. Tremendous feature.
Dell Inspiron
Windows Vista
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90
Registered:
Jul 9, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Oct 27, 2007 5:49 PM
in response to: Blade747
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At least one of your questions was answered in my previous post. Yes, you can use the iPhone's setting to disable roaming. This will disable EDGE but not WiFi. You can still use WiFi without incuring any charges from AT&T unless you are using one of their hotspots.
If you find free WiFi while overseas, which is available in many hotels, you can use it without charge.
Contrary to information in some earlier posts, I was told, in writing, by AT&T that if you disable EDGE and use WiFi, they will not charge. They can tell the difference.
Additionaly, if you turn on your phone but do not make calls you will not be charged. I don't know about voicemail. I mean I know if you acces it you will be charged. I don't know if you are charged if someone calls your number while your phone is off and you don't access the voicemail. I do not believe you can turn off voicemail; it has to be done by AT&T.
Macbook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
Germany
Registered:
Nov 3, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 3, 2007 2:28 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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How do I remove the sim card from my iPhone? I don't see any opening to remove it from. Thanks
Message was edited by: Rubstein
Windows XP
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Posts:
2
From:
Dallas
Registered:
Nov 4, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 4, 2007 6:42 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I have already looked into it. They don't have any agreemts. The support technition said that if "we did that they would not make any money."
MacBook
Mac OS X (10.5)
None
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Posts:
18
Registered:
Dec 28, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 5, 2007 12:24 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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welcome to thinking different by apple ... i agree you would have to be a corporate fool who does not spent their own money to welcome any international service plan by apple and at&t ...
really sad to see, as everyone i know believes apple sold their soul to the devil by locking the iphone
looks like its time to move back to windows if you really need a phone and computer internationally ...
then again are you really selling the iphone, if you can use it but its locked to prevent you from really using the phone.
just sad as i have used apple since the se days ... and like everyone dream of an iphone
macbook
Mac OS X (10.4.8)
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Posts:
2
Registered:
Jun 30, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 9, 2007 3:39 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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My experience with the iPhone overseas was a very expensive one. I am using the AT&T international calling plan that includes 20MB data download.
I've been in Europe for about 2.5 weeks, and didn't use the phone a lot. I came back to a $1000 phone bill.
Reason being:
- Text messages were $1.50 each
- Visual voice uses a data connection
- Even if you use a wireless network the phone may switch back to GPRS without telling
- Voice usage is $0.99 per minute
On my next trip the iPhone stays home. AT&T's plan is a great plan for those who don't travel much outside the US. For the rest of us it's back to using Blackberrys. <sigh>
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Posts:
90
Registered:
Jul 9, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 9, 2007 5:53 PM
in response to: Gottschalk
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Saying that you will leave your iPhone home and take your Blackberry, should be an eye-opener for Apple and AT&T. If you buy an Armani suit, it costs more than something from Walmart, but even though you pay more you get an Armani. Walmart's products are more commonplace and they make money selling a lot of them. Apple and AT&T aren't giving us anything worth that kind of money especially when there are cheaper alternatives, such as local SIM cards, which is what I use when I'm in France.
I can't use those in my iPhone, but I will continue to use my unlocked Razr and local SIM cards when overseas. I will take my iPhone, which, with the DATA ROAMING DISABLED, will only serve as a WiFi instrument, when WiFi is available. No text messages, no voicemail, and not even any calls, since my unlocked Razr and local SIM offers much better value.
Why can't Apple and AT&T offer us truly competitive and reasonable prices? We would use the product overseas and they would make money.
When in Europe I use Call-in-Europe. I pay $7.50 per month for their SIM card. With this I get an initial 30 minutes, plus 10 rollover minutes added each month. Additional minutes cost $0.69, and on all minutes all incoming calls, no matter where their origin, are free. I believe text messages are about $0.25 Data is also much less.
That sure beats the iPhone-AT&T plan, which costs a dollar plus per minute for calls, both outgoing and incoming, with no rollover minutes and data rates that are ridiculous.
Macbook Pro
Mac OS X (10.5)
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20
Registered:
Jul 13, 2007
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Posts:
90
Registered:
Jul 9, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 10, 2007 9:05 AM
in response to: Tillie4
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Yes, it answered some of the questions, but it also raised others. As far as I'm concerned, having the ability to disable EDGE roaming makes it feasible for me to use my iPhone overseas for WiFi. However, because calls, text messages, and EDGE roaming are so much cheaper using local SIM cards in an unlocked phone, it hardly seems feasible for me to use my iPhone for these functions.
Allowing iPhone users to unlock their phones for overseas travel, or just unlock their phones, as we can with other phones, seems to be the only reasonable answer.
The iPhone is a great product. You have to sign up for a two-year AT&T contract. Jobs and Co. should stop being so big-brotherish and controlling, and AT&T should have confidence in their competitiveness, and allow us to unlock the bloody phones.
Then I could put my "Call In Europe" SIM card in my iPhone when traveling in Europe and use AT&T when I'm in the States, as I can with any other phone.
Macbook Pro
Mac OS X (10.5)
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Posts:
3
From:
NYC
Registered:
Nov 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 10, 2007 7:45 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I have a similar situation. I BADLY want an iphone but will be moving to Taiwan in approximately one year. Its common knowledge that you have to sign up for a two year plan with ATT. So do I just run out and sign up for the two year plan and try to upgrade it to some sort of international plan for the second year of my contract? Or, do I sign up for the two year plan and drop it after a year and pay a penalty? Any other options? I took a look at that link to International plans and found that the iphone is compatible with Taiwan's system, but I was not able to get any idea on plan pricing.
HP
Windows XP
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Posts:
3
From:
NYC
Registered:
Nov 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 10, 2007 8:55 PM
in response to: Vdubs
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Oh...after reading some more of these posts I've changed my mind. It doesn't sound like this phone is worth the trouble.
HP
Windows XP
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 11, 2007 12:30 AM
in response to: Vdubs
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I was in the same situation. I was transferred overseas after I purchased the iPhone. If you move to an area not serviced by at&t, you can cancel service with "proof", such as a current cell phone bill from Taiwan in your name and not pay any penalty. Roaming is not considered service. Since I no longer could utilize at&t's service for my iPhone it was necessary to make some adjustments after I arrived in Asia. Even though there are some negative's about the iPhone, I absolutely love it.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
3
From:
NYC
Registered:
Nov 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 11, 2007 7:54 PM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Adjustments? So you are able to use your phone w/ another carrier over there?
HP
Windows XP
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 11, 2007 8:37 PM
in response to: Vdubs
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Yes.... it was the only choice I had. It's interesting that the majority of the mobile phone shops here in Thailand sell the iPhone. I stopped and took a look at a couple of them and they don't come with a warranty but they are available (for $715USD). None of the phones are locked here in Asia that I'm aware of and the prices are quite a bit higher than in the USA as you can see by the price of the iPhone.
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
2
Registered:
Nov 17, 2007
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Posts:
2
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Nov 17, 2007
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16
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May 30, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 18, 2007 4:26 PM
in response to: exrev
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I can't speak negatively enough about AT&T's international service, and their customer service as well. I took a two week trip to Europe after signing up for AT&T's international plans (they were admittedly different when the iPhone first came out than they are now), and was billed about $1700 for this luxury. Seriously!! I barely used my phone for calls during this trip, although the phone was polling the EDGE network in the background.
Shocked, when I returned, I was offered a deal by AT&T to take this bill down to about $800 if I signed up for newly created international plans after the fact. I did so -- although I continue to believe that I was significantly overcharged for minor data transfers. I just don't have the time to deal with their customer service. Since then, I've been on their 'late payment' list -- due to the fact that we spent a couple of weeks negotiating this reduction. This means that I get automated phone calls from AT&T on the day that my bill is issued (not the day it's due!!); these calls arrive while I'm in meetings, on other calls, etc; they're a remarkable annoyance.
I spend far more than most on a monthly basis, but the quality of AT&T's service doesn't reflect this. I rue the day I purchased an iPhone: it just wasn't worth the relationship I've been forced into with AT&T. And I now look forward to returning to a Blackberry with Verizon, renting a phone when I make trips to Europe. Be forewarned that AT&T doesn't deserve your business or the Apple relationship.
MacBook Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.6)
iPhone,
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Posts:
299
Registered:
Aug 26, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 20, 2007 4:24 PM
in response to: FHB
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It is not AT and T, in Europe I stopped using data in roaming after I got 2 seperate 1000 Euros data bills back to back. And that was for something like 20 MB of data.
Roaming data in Europe is a joke. The cost is too unpredictable to be used.
Mac Book Pro 15" 2.33 GHz 2 Gigs RAM
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Mackie 1640 Mixer, Yamaha DTXtreme IIs Drums
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Posts:
4
From:
California
Registered:
Nov 21, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 21, 2007 11:52 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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If I place my iPhone in Airplane mode and do not turn on the Power during my travels overseas, will that avoid any charges? I am renting a cheap cellphone for my trip, but wish to use the iPhone right before I depart and right after I arrive in the U.S. So, in other words, I will not turn on my iPhone while overseas--just in the U.S.
Thanks for advising me.
iPhone
Other OS
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 21, 2007 11:39 PM
in response to: Rick Stein
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If you don't turn on your iPhone overseas you cannot accumulate any charges. Have a good trip!
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
4
From:
California
Registered:
Nov 21, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 23, 2007 5:03 PM
in response to: Stewart Holmes
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Sorry to seem so dense...if I want to use the iTunes function ONLY when overseas, will just turning my iPhone onto Airplane Mode be sufficient to disable it from incurring any additional charges?
Also, do you know if the iPhone power adapter cradle is 220v compatible, like most laptops? That is, can I simply plug it into a 220v outlet using plug adapter or do I actually need to use a 100/220v converter?
Thanks for your help.
RS
iPhone
Other OS
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 24, 2007 7:12 AM
in response to: Rick Stein
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If you keep it in airplane mode you won't incur an data or roaming charges however you won't be able to use wifi either. No problem with 220v, it's just like most laptops.... I charge it up on 220v most of the time. SH
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
San Francisco
Registered:
Nov 21, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 21, 2007 6:02 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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So, if we want to travel overseas for a month and avoid excessive fees, we should turn off data roaming. However, if we want to check voicemail using the iPhone, will we need to incur voice roaming fees?
If yes, I suppose I can call into voicemail using Skype.
Has anyone tried to put the account on "suspension" during their travel? Will it disable the Wi-Fi? I want to be able to use my browser and Wi-Fi while traveling, but without incurring any international fees. Any suggestions? It sounds like turning off data roaming does not completely solve this problem.
Thanks!
MacPro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
iPhone
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 21, 2007 11:46 PM
in response to: A.Convert
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If you just want to use it for wifi, I'd take out the sim card. Otherwise if you just turn off data you're going to get hammered on phone calls from back home... Use a paperclip in the top little hole and push down gently.
Skype works great for calling home and checking your voicemail....
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
43
Registered:
Nov 20, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 23, 2007 10:00 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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ATTN; Dave Sawyer and others. Of course you can use other SIM cards with an iphone. I traveled to the UK from October 17 to Nov. 17 and used a Vodaphone Pay as You Go Card to make calls on my iphone. To do this you have to have an unlocked iphone. However, you cannot update to the recent version of itunes becuase then your iphone would be bricked.
Mac Book Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.11)
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Posts:
6
Registered:
Sep 28, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 24, 2007 7:55 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Gentlemen: One way to beat the high cost of roaming overseas is to use Skype. I went through the same thing all of you have with this cost of iPhone and roaming in europe. Then, one day I was looking at my Skype account that I haven't used for a year or so and realized that I could use this on my trip this summer.
For one month in Italy and about 1 hour of phone time a week, my total bill was less than $15,00. Skype has features that forward calls to any number you like such as a cell phone and all calls are at local US rates. The caller doesn't even know they are calling europe.
Check it out.
Regards,
Jim Otto
MacBook Pro 2.1GHz
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
Refurbished
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Posts:
1
From:
Bay Area
Registered:
Nov 25, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 25, 2007 8:25 PM
in response to: Jimotto
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Has anyone noticed the "Turn off data roaming" funtion under Settings->Network?
Does that mean that it will turn off the Data Roaming to avoid the additional charge, while keep the other funtions normal?
Macbook
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
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Posts:
1
From:
Dallas, Texas
Registered:
Nov 26, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 25, 2007 10:29 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I want an iPhone so bad, I can almost taste it. But i don't think I want at&t. Especially went I go to Paris this spring break. Now, I've heard about hacking the phone to work with other carriers. I don't think I'd do it... but can anyone tell me what the worse case scenario is?
HP Touchscreen
Windows Vista
Also owns a MAC Classic...
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Posts:
136
Registered:
Jul 18, 2004
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 26, 2007 3:15 PM
in response to: iBob Touch
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I want an iPhone so bad, I can almost taste it. But i don't think I want at&t. Especially went I go to Paris this spring break. Now, I've heard about hacking the phone to work with other carriers. I don't think I'd do it... but can anyone tell me what the worse case scenario is?
Now, I've heard about hacking the phone to work with other carriers. I don't think I'd do it... but can anyone tell me what the worse case scenario is?
Hacking the iphone involves soldering on the circuit board of the iphone, and the worse case scenario is that you screw up and have to get a new iphone--and chances are probable that this will happen, if you don't know exactly what you are doing, and there is a chance even when you do--however, if you succeed, you have imensely improved your phone and turned it into what everybody who hasn't hacked it wished it was: unlocked. Furthermore, I think the hack lets you install your own software.
Lets face it. The iPhone is a computer, though with a small hard drive. I won't buy one until they sell them unlocked and let me use them as the computers that they are, complete with command-line and c-compiler, so I can compile and install whatever unix compatible software I want to run on it... oh, and they'll also have to add an led light so I don't have to turn it on to use it as a flashlight (how many have used their phone screens for flashlights?) and it will need a refillable butane lighter and some fold out knives and scissors, and a corkscrew (might as well add some survival features so i can quit carrying a swiss army knife)... and one of those lasers would be cool too.
Until then, I'll stick with my sharp vodaphone 903sh, whose 3.2 mp camera is unsurpassed in cellphones... and you don't have to hack one to get it unlocked.
ppc
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
69
From:
Thailand
Registered:
May 7, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 26, 2007 3:30 PM
in response to: Everett Fuller
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Hacking the iphone involves soldering on the circuit board of the iphone, and the worse case scenario is that you screw up and have to get a new iphone-
Not true.... Do a Google search for accurate information
iMac
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
4
From:
San Antonio
Registered:
Nov 29, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 29, 2007 7:42 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hi,
Okay i got the iphone and every summer i take about a 1 to 1 1/2 month trip to germany.I would like to use my iphone over there occasionally to like check my email & make calls(not many) maybe like 1 maybe 2 each day if even!I will be travling on the train so i would like to use my edge internet thingy(Email).
Okay will the 59$ 50mb international service plan be fine for that!!Or would the 20mb be enough....
thnx for the help
iPhone
Windows Vista
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Posts:
1
From:
Iraq
Registered:
Nov 30, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Nov 30, 2007 3:28 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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A bit of cost info and an "at your own risk" option
Having lived abroad for 7 of the past ten years, the big money made on roaming is by the host country carrier and not your home country network. Think of it like ATMs and the charge you get when you use a non network ATM (sure some banks get you on both sides. ATT has negotiated deals with certain other-country carriers to allow 1)triangulation and handshakes from their towers to your handset at one fixed even based cost; 2) to carrier you connection in addition to their normal subscriber load for the duration of your call or data connection, a second fixed cost; and 3) the cost of the length of call or volume of data in the form of a variable cost. Every carrier wants roamers since they are charged at premiums and payment comes from other carriers not individuals. ATT adds to this cost the admin cost incurred in establishing the agreements, maintaining your voice/data link to the foreign country, and processing/paying/and re-billing you for the bill that they receive from the foreign country carrier. finally the build in some coverage for the bills that people dispute and cancelled, but that ATT still has to pay to the foreign carrier due to the agreement between them.
How do you minimize all this?
this is the at your own risk part
Well with regard to data usage abroad my solution has been the blackberry package. ATT reps have told me it is only for the blackberry. That the data service itself is not compatible with other phones. That it can't be used for modem purposes. They have told me all kinds of reasons not to get it. I got it anyway and used it with a treo, a nokia E series, a nokia 31xx bluetooted as a modem and to bluetooth through to a nokia 770 tablet, and the iphone. It worked great with each (actually better than I expected), in germany to indonesia.
This also gives you voice, but still at a premium cost.
A separate solution that some guys over here have is the dual sim chip holder. very at your own risk. It allows you to run two chips in one phone. you cut both in halve and place them in the holder, the size of a full chip. It makes physical contact with the leeds in your phone on on side and
contact with your original (halved) sim and a second (halved & local sim). The concept is that you can retain your authorization to keep the phone working (and your connection to home for those emergencies and i love you needs), but can make all your local business calls at the local rate using the second number. There is more info about these devices on the internet. The risk is that it might not work for you and glueing a sim chip back together is hard to do in the event of failure.
One last point. Don't get a local sim number and forward your iphone calls to that!!! That will add a higher than roaming cost to every call ($1.25/call regardless of answering or voicemail - personal experience and bad idea).
macbook
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
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Posts:
8
Registered:
Oct 9, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 9, 2007 5:05 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Personally, im going to do my first traveling with any phone in a few weeks, not wanting to get charged, i think im just gonna take the SIM out and use it as an iPod, i think that will work since it can't register to the AT&T network (or any other) and turn on airplane mode and data roaming just to be safe. I just need it as an iPod for the flight
Macbook 13 inch
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
8GB iPhone
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Posts:
1
From:
las vegas, nv
Registered:
Dec 10, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 10, 2007 7:11 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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thats why i still have another phone I use when i go overseas, its my workphone and t-mobile offers great rate plans for international calling.
macbook
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
awesome!!!
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Posts:
1
From:
East TN
Registered:
Dec 14, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 13, 2007 10:51 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Ok I've read all the posts and I'm still confused. My question is, I'm traveling to Switzerland and Kosovo for a week and a half at the end of this month and I would like to just be able to send texts and while I'm in switzerland make an occasional phone call (thats not necessary though, the texts are the most important) and of course listen to music and watch movies. What would be best for me? Do I need some sort of international plan for text messaging or phone calls and should I turn off the data or put my phone on airplane mode? and what about wifi, will I incur any charges from that? and should I remove the sim card, I haven't unlocked my phone so will that mess it up? Thanks.... Bryan
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Posts:
128
From:
Anchorage, AK
Registered:
Dec 12, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 14, 2007 12:04 AM
in response to: BryanCrabtree
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AT&T offers an international plan of something like $24.95 a month and think it would be wise to do. Yes you have to have it on your phone for something like 18 to 24 months but if it is 24 months that is $200 spread out over the 24 months and then you wouldn't run the risk of a $5000 bill.
Sean
Macbook Pro 2.0ghz 2 GB Ram
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, Airport Extreme
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Posts:
128
From:
Anchorage, AK
Registered:
Dec 12, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 14, 2007 12:05 AM
in response to: thenorthman
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Honestly I can add...24.95 X 24 doesn't equal $200 but $598.8....but think you get my point.
Sean
Macbook Pro 2.0ghz 2 GB Ram
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, Airport Extreme
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Posts:
42
Registered:
Sep 12, 2006
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 18, 2007 7:03 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Planning a trip to China is spring 08....I currently don't own an iphone but considering. Does anyone know if this phone will work to call back to the US.
MacBookPro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
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Posts:
1
From:
florida
Registered:
Dec 19, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 19, 2007 5:51 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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I'm heading to Europe tomorrow and want to take my iphone, but avoid charges. I still have my razor (ATT) and know that my iphone sim card will work in it (although ATT tells me this will fry the sim, and that I will have to replace my iphone...). If I use the iphone sim in my razor, will ATT know which phone is being used or am I just being paranoid?
compaq
Windows XP
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Posts:
20
From:
Western USA
Registered:
Oct 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 20, 2007 4:14 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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You cannot switch SIM card. It's not a great international phone bcause you will hit with big fat bills. I just got hit with over $150 for my recent 5 days trip to asia. Remember to turn off the data roaming!!! $1.99 - $2.99 depending which country you are.
IMAC G5
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
1
From:
USA
Registered:
Dec 22, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 22, 2007 11:35 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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Want to avoid any problems? Leave your iPhone home and use Skype overseas...
Compaq V2000
Other OS
Ubuntu Linux 7.10
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Posts:
20
From:
Western USA
Registered:
Oct 23, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 24, 2007 5:58 PM
in response to: Nick Harper
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Skype is another way but not always available when you are on the move, you also depend on internet connection.
I am more of the Asian trip guy. Phone service is dirt cheap in Asia. All i have to do is get a GSM/3G phone and local pre-paid SIM card. Last trip i was in Malaysia and i got a Pre-Paid card value = US$14.00. Fee for calling back to US is only = US$0.08 comparing to ATT roaming of $1.99/minutes. With that card, i also get unlimited internet access. I am not a Euro trip guy so not too sure. But if you are going to ASIA few trips a year...Buy a GSM/3G phone and buy pre-paid card....end of the day...you still save big money on roaming. I also travel to China a lot and do the same thing. Phone card there usually good for 1 - 3 months depends on the value you purchase. If you continue topping up, you will get the same number.
IMAC G5
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
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Posts:
12
Registered:
Jul 25, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 24, 2007 8:03 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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There are many interesting points being brought up on this thread, but there are a few misconceptions. I recently spent 6 months in Europe and talked frequently with friends, customers and coworkers on my cell phone using a Vodafone sim card. That was outrageously expensive. I would have been better off with an AT&T int'l roaming plan. Maybe this isn't true for all countries, but if you travel to Europe a lot I would keep this in mind. Especially with the euro/dollar conversion rate being so unfavorable.
Happy traveling.
iMac G5
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Wireless internet and printing
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Posts:
1
Registered:
Jul 8, 2005
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 26, 2007 8:01 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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To all - I like a lot of you travel a lot in Asia and in Europe, I live part of the year in Taiwan, I have a brand new Iphone sitting here in the box (unopened) I will be taking it back - I have bought different phones in Taiwan - all unlocked - Whatever country i go to i just change out the sim and away i go - I also have a sony ericsson V800 it is gsm and cdma capable and is 3G meaning I can use it anywhere in the world including Japan. i for a small fee I can look at the person I am talking to as they can look at me real time or any landmark i might want to show them (except in USA) anyway I would love to use the I phone as i have been a apple person for the last 4 years - I just cannot see subscribing to AT&T and having 100,s of $$ in fee,s when i can talk using the local sim and using my money for my personal pleasure and not the phone company's
powerbook G4 , I pods
Mac OS X (10.4.11)
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Posts:
1
From:
northern calif
Registered:
Dec 28, 2007
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Re: Calling when overseas
Posted:
Dec 28, 2007 6:30 AM
in response to: cusiter67
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A quick and fairly cheap way of avoiding the headache that is 'international roaming' is to purchase a cheap prepaid phone from the store. Set up the voicemail on that phone after activating it. Afterwords, set call forwarding on your iphone to the prepaid phone. Ive tried this while visiting germany in september and it worked very well. No unexpected charges on my bill. Good luck!
beastmaster 3000
Windows XP
look out, this thing's powerful
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Posts:
2
From:
NYC
Registered:
Jan 2, 2008
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International Calling/Data Roaming
Posted:
Jan 2, 2008 1:21 PM
in response to: cusiter67
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Hello all, first let me mention that this is my first post here and I'm a newbie, so please forgive me if I do not follow a rule or two.
I wanted to post because I had an absolutely jaw-dropping experience today when I saw my bill from November when I travelled to the Caymans. The bill was in excess of $1200. Needless to say I was shocked. After further review, I was even more shocked since I do have, and always have had Data Roaming disabled, yet all of the charges were Data Roaming charges, including emails that cost upwards of $150 each!!!!
So after 2+ hours, of what I consider valuable time on the phone with AT&T, I finally got someone on the phone who admitted to me that the "Data Roaming disabled" feature does not fully work on the iphone. To me this is unbelievable and unacceptable. While it is one thing to pay an exhorbitant bill due to not having an int'l calling plan (the $20/month everyone is speaking about) it is certainly - in my mind - not acceptable to have a feature that is necessary and expected to work, not work and in essence cost me over $1000.
Again, I have a huge complaint with Apple/AT&T for one issue and one issue only and that is the fact that the Data Roaming feature, when disabled, does not work and still allows data roaming. I plan on asking Apple for restitution on some of the bill... This will be my first customer service experience with Apple so we'll see how much better they are than M-soft. To be Continued...
Commodore 64
Other OS
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Posts:
90
Registered:
Jul 9, 2004
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Re: International Calling/Data Roaming
Posted:
Jan 2, 2008 1:37 PM
in response to: Asteinberg
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If you had Data Roaming disabled, how and why were you sending emails? Were you in a WiFi hot spot? Did the phone indicate that WiFi was on?
I, too, had a long conversation with AT&T, but unlike what you were told, I was told that Data Roaming disabled did just that, disable data roaming. In fact, I had an exchange about this with AT&T's tech chat, and have it in writing, that disabling Data Roaming the only way one could access or send data would be with WiFi.
Macbook Pro
Mac OS X (10.5)
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