Avoiding roaming charges - will this work

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Avoiding roaming charges - will this work

sheppy

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#298578 29-Jun-2022 08:12

I’m with 2 degrees and heading offshore. As 2degrees don’t support esim I intend putting my normal sim in an old phone and putting it into flight mode before I leave NZ.
If I connect the phone to an offshore wifi network and turn on WiFi calling whilst still in flight mode will I be able to make and receive calls using my 2degrees number? Will standard txt messages come through? Will I get stung for the $7 daily roaming charge?

I’ve called 2degrees a couple of times and had conflicting answers so thought I’d ask here.

SaltyNZ

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#2935740 29-Jun-2022 08:32

Yes, on many handsets it is possible to put the phone into flight mode and then enable Wifi while cellular remains disabled. If your handset can do that you will be able to use VoWifi for voice & SMS (and MMS, yay) without incurring any roaming charges. Only gotcha to be aware of is that calls to [wherever you currently are] will be charged as international calls from NZ to [wherever] this way.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

Linux

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#2935746 29-Jun-2022 08:41

Yes done this many times while traveling WiFi calling is awesome when you want no roaming charges

sheppy

47 posts

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#2935750 29-Jun-2022 08:48

Perfect, thanks everyone!

MartinGZ

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#2936410 30-Jun-2022 11:36

The short version seems to be; when using VoWiFi when overseas, calls to NZ and Oz are “free” as per your plan, ALL other calls are at international roaming rates.

This is why I normally get a local SIM card if there for a few weeks or more, especially as I make a lot of local (as in overseas local) calls when there. In the UK I’ve been using GiffGaff since 2015 and as long as I send a text every 6 months the SIM doesn’t expire so keep the same number. Way cheaper than the $7/day roaming charges. I use a dual SIM phone and swap the primary SIM to the local one.

The following is from: WiFi Calling | 2degrees

Using WiFi Calling when you’re overseas

WiFi Calling is another great way to reduce costs when you travel or roam overseas because once your phone establishes connection to our network with WiFi Calling, the call or text is treated as if you’re located in New Zealand* if you are contacting a New Zealand or Aussie number.

However, if you are overseas and call or text a country other than New Zealand or Aussie, roaming rates may apply. This includes calls or texts sent within the overseas destination you’re in.

Handy hint: If you want to be sure that when you’re overseas you only use WiFi Calling (and don’t connect to local mobile networks at all), you can put your phone into flight mode, then activate WiFi and WiFi Calling only. This should ensure you don't incur additional roaming charges.

*Broadband charges may apply if you’re not using 2degrees broadband. NZ international call rates apply, including to all calls made from overseas to destinations besides New Zealand and Aussie. This includes calls made within the destination you are visiting. WiFi Calling T&Cs apply.

Behodar

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#2936425 30-Jun-2022 11:57

MartinGZ: Using WiFi Calling when you’re overseas

Broadband charges may apply if you’re not using 2degrees broadband.

I'm interested in seeing how many overseas countries have 2degrees broadband available. I suspect the number is a big round zero :)