Overseas with a Skinny pre-paid - manage the phone no/text

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Overseas with a Skinny pre-paid - manage the phone no/text

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#304685 28-May-2023 12:57

I have an iPhone SE (1 esim slot available) - I have tested and I can add a 3rd party esim for data only e..g AloSIM for data and that works well.

Skinny will charge me about $1.11/min to receive phone calls in the USA. So I figure I can let all calls go to voicemail and then return the call using whatgsapp/viberr/skype and no additional charge to me. Or will Skinny charge me for the unanswered call going to voicemail?

The other issue I have is texts - there is no "voicemail" for text. Many are actually iMessages so obviously they come through via the local esim's data ). Texts that aren't being sent from the Apple ecosystem will cost me about a $1/go - happy to pay that for real texts - not so much for the spam we all get. Is there any way to manage texts ?

The only need texts is when the ANZ credit card decides to send a text to confirm a transaction (yes I know other's use an app - ANZ doesn't) .

How do other's manage this? I'm travelling for 2 months so no roaming doesn't really work for (plus its not supported in a number the countries we are going to)

Is there any way to enable wifi calling /texting for the main phone no/text no using the data esim?

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

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2853 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3080470 28-May-2023 19:28

I thought that receiving texts was free when roaming. I can't find that on a website though!

Linux

11413 posts

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#3080473 28-May-2023 20:11

Correct incoming SMS are not billed when roaming

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3080502 28-May-2023 22:46

Interesting - its not clear on the site its just say $1.11 per a text doesn't clarify if recieving or sending

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#3080517 29-May-2023 02:07

lissie:

Interesting - its not clear on the site its just say $1.11 per a text doesn't clarify if recieving or sending

Texts cost 80c to send from the US. Voicemail charges apply when checking voicemail.

It would be easiest to just buy a US eSIM and use that plus WhatsApp while you're in the States, rather than worry about roaming charges.

Purchase an eSIM from a local carrier in the country or region you're visiting

openmedia

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#3080520 29-May-2023 05:02

I'd just turn on a roaming pack.Unless you leave your phone on flight mode for Skinny you'll still be changer a roaming cost for any calls that get routed to voicemail.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3080780 29-May-2023 12:47

openmedia:

I'd just turn on a roaming pack.Unless you leave your phone on flight mode for Skinny you'll still be changer a roaming cost for any calls that get routed to voicemail.

Roaming is super expensive for 2 months! I don't get a lot of calls but the ones I get may matter so I'm OK will paying a few dollars for them - it will be a lot less than $23/7 days that skinny charges forroaming . The esim for the US is only US4.50/week 1GB

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3080781 29-May-2023 12:49

openmedia:

I'd just turn on a roaming pack.Unless you leave your phone on flight mode for Skinny you'll still be changer a roaming cost for any calls that get routed to voicemail.

Yeah most Americans don't know what whatsapp is - so annoying. I may f have to call US numbers for reserations and similar - but I can use Skype for that for minimal cost.

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

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Noig

446 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3080929 29-May-2023 16:13

I am planning to travel through Europe for several months next year. Has anyone a suggestion what is the best way? Is it actually possible to put a prepay on hold with Skinny and get a sim in Europe?

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#3081186 30-May-2023 00:01

lissie:

openmedia:

I'd just turn on a roaming pack.Unless you leave your phone on flight mode for Skinny you'll still be changer a roaming cost for any calls that get routed to voicemail.

Yeah most Americans don't know what whatsapp is - so annoying. I may f have to call US numbers for reserations and similar - but I can use Skype for that for minimal cost.

Everyone knows WhatsApp.:)

My siblings live in LA and we text/talk via WhatsApp on a regular basis. Same goes for friends in Netherlands and Aussie.

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3088189 10-Jun-2023 12:58

Noig:

I am planning to travel through Europe for several months next year. Has anyone a suggestion what is the best way? Is it actually possible to put a prepay on hold with Skinny and get a sim in Europe?

Yes - you keep the phone number so long as you put credit on the account once a year.

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3088190 10-Jun-2023 12:59

K8Toledo:

Everyone knows WhatsApp.:)

My siblings live in LA and we text/talk via WhatsApp on a regular basis. Same goes for friends in Netherlands and Aussie.

I've not found a US business using it yet - European businesses its really common - not in the US

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

Peppery

919 posts

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#3090207 15-Jun-2023 09:45

I've just returned from a trip to the U.S. and took advantage of the Verizon Free Trial which gives 30 days of service via eSIM for free. Doesn't include hotspot, but the price is hard to beat.

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#3090271 15-Jun-2023 12:38

lissie:

K8Toledo:

Everyone knows WhatsApp.:)

My siblings live in LA and we text/talk via WhatsApp on a regular basis. Same goes for friends in Netherlands and Aussie.

I've not found a US business using it yet - European businesses its really common - not in the US

Well there is WhatsApp Business:

...and then there's WhatsApp Messenger:

Source

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3094264 23-Jun-2023 23:53

K8Toledo:

Source

Exactly my point Pop of USA 330M Pop of Italy 50mill

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

noroad

949 posts

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#3094348 24-Jun-2023 12:38

I spent a month in the USA last year with Skinny roaming, $23/week x 4 for the roaming pack so less than $100/month, its really not "super expensive" compared to the cost of your trip. I also got a pre-paid t-mobile 50G/unlimited sim (dual sim phone) but I wouldn't bother next time. The $23/week roaming plus wifi where available was plenty.

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