Solution for roaming SMS

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Solution for roaming SMS

MrAndreas

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#247725 19-Feb-2019 10:35

NOTE: Although this is a stripped-down and tweaked version of my previous post, it does differ in actual requirements; hence the new thread.

The CHALLENGE...
-To travel overseas allowing for bi-directional SMS whilst avoiding horrendous roaming charges.

-The solution would, preferably, not be subscription-based in order to prevent ongoing expenses.

The PROPOSAL...
-Purchase a cheap phone.
-Put my New Zealand SIM in it.
-Install a remote control app on phone.
-Permanently leave phone on and connected to a charger and WiFi at my parent's place.

The UNKNOWNS...
-If using a full-blown remote control app (which also would allow for additional benefits, such as remote administration, etc. of the phone), the question is: which would be the solution to use considering that TeamViewer QuickSupport requires manual confirmation to accept connections, which is not an option.

-If using an SMS remote control app only, i.e., one that allows sending/receiving SMS messages via another paired device (some even allow communication over e-mail), the question is: which such solution would be the most reliable.

The SOLUTION...
-???

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#2183508 19-Feb-2019 10:57

2degrees Wi-Fi calling say good bye to roaming costs

John

solutionz

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#2183510 19-Feb-2019 11:01

Any remote "desktop" will be horribly unreliable in comparison to a direct interface to the messaging stack.

I wouldn't stake my life on any mobile-proxy based solution however considering all your requirements I maintain the best solution is https://messages.android.com/

Worst case scenario you may need your parents assistance to reboot your phone from time-to-time (as will any app based solution) and/or you may have to email them a copy of a QR code to scan with your local phone if your device falls out of pairing.

This being a native solution will have less issues with running in background, SMS permissions etc than any 3rd party app.

https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7611075?hl=en

landcruiserguy

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#2183525 19-Feb-2019 11:22

2 degrees wifi calling + a wifi hotspot with a local sim. Job done.

danielparker

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#2183534 19-Feb-2019 11:31

Does 2Degrees WiFi Calling also allow you to send and receive SMS messages over WiFi or only voice? The replies above suggest that it does..

Daniel

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#2183537 19-Feb-2019 11:35

danielparker:
Does 2Degrees WiFi Calling also allow you to send and receive SMS messages over WiFi or only voice? The replies above suggest that it does..

Daniel

Wi-Fi calling allows your handset to do everything like it was attached to a cell site here in New Zealand

John

danielparker

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#2183539 19-Feb-2019 11:38

Cool.. That's good to know.

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#2183540 19-Feb-2019 11:43

I have used Wi-Fi calling around the world zero issues

John

hio77

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#2183549 19-Feb-2019 11:52

danielparker:

Does 2Degrees WiFi Calling also allow you to send and receive SMS messages over WiFi or only voice? The replies above suggest that it does..

Daniel

Think that's more of a @SaltyNZ question tbh.

The spec of VoWiFi allows for the both methods... all depends on their stack.

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SaltyNZ

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2degrees

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#2183567 19-Feb-2019 12:28

Our VoWifi service tunnels SMS and MMS as well as voice.

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

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

muppet

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#2183610 19-Feb-2019 13:44

Use Join for Android.

I have two Android phones, each with a SIM. With Join installed on each, I can send an SMS from Phone 1, using Phone 2, and from Phone 2, using Phone 1. It's fantastic.

One time unlock fee, off you go have fun. Not to mention all the other fantastic things Join does for you. It's like Pushbullet on steroids.

KiwiSurfer

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#2183727 19-Feb-2019 15:45

SaltyNZ:

Our VoWifi service tunnels SMS and MMS as well as voice.

That's good to know—not very obvious from the name (Voice over Wifi) though! Being Deaf I've turned it off but perhaps I should turn it back on as I'd benefit from the "SMS over Wifi" functionality when texting with non-iPhone/WhatsApp users.

Just out of interest is this supported on iPhones? The language on the iPhone also suggests it's a voice only feature. Will test it next time I'm out somewhere with no coverage.

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#2183765 19-Feb-2019 15:51

KiwiSurfer:

Just out of interest is this supported on iPhones? The language on the iPhone also suggests it's a voice only feature. Will test it next time I'm out somewhere with no coverage.

It is supported on all our handsets that support VoWifi (so, yes, it is supported on iPhones).

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

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

hio77

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#2184219 20-Feb-2019 10:49

muppet:

Use Join for Android.

I have two Android phones, each with a SIM. With Join installed on each, I can send an SMS from Phone 1, using Phone 2, and from Phone 2, using Phone 1. It's fantastic.

One time unlock fee, off you go have fun. Not to mention all the other fantastic things Join does for you. It's like Pushbullet on steroids.

You just answered my biggest painpoint as being a multidevice user.

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muppet

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#2184263 20-Feb-2019 11:58

hio77:

You just answered my biggest painpoint as being a multidevice user.

Isn't it great? Also there's a Chrome Addon so you can SMS etc etc from your Browser. The way everything ties together is fantastic.

I just wish the interface wasn't as fugly as it is, but it gets the job done.