Sending SMS over the Internet?

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caffynz

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#309276 4-Oct-2023 11:40

Hi, just wondering if there is a way to send/receive SMS over the Internet, like VoIP?

Our home has poor mobile reception, and we often don't receive SMS til much later in the day.

We do use Whatsapp etc. where possible.
But, many texts are received as SMS eg. security texts from bank with the code to process an Internet banking payment/CC payment - these are time-based...

Thanks

stick

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Ultimate Geek

#3142637 4-Oct-2023 11:43

Yes, this is possible using WiFi Calling, if your phone supports it.

Spark, however, doesn't support SMS over WiFi Calling

Samsung: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling (on)

iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling (on)

If you find your phone still clinging to the mobile network and not using WiFI calling, this can be fixed by enabling airplane mode and enabling WiFi

caffynz

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#3142638 4-Oct-2023 11:46

Ooh - good to know!
Do you happen to know if 2degrees supports SMS over WiFi Calling?

I'm trying to look at 2degrees website now re WiFi calling, cannot immediately see anything re SMS.

stick

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#3142639 4-Oct-2023 11:48

caffynz:

Ooh - good to know!
Do you happen to know if 2degrees supports SMS over WiFi Calling?

I'm trying to look at 2degrees website now re WiFi calling, cannot immediately see anything re SMS.

Yes, 2degrees supports SMS over WiFi Calling :) (just tested now also)

caffynz

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#3142641 4-Oct-2023 11:51

That is super cool thank you! Wish we knew about this earlier - woulda saved so much frustration :)

One more question please if you don't mind; is there anything I need to be aware re WiFi Calling - e.g. additional charges or are costs covered within the plan we have for our mobile and broadband (same provider)?

speed

293 posts

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#3142643 4-Oct-2023 11:55

This doesn't directly answer the question you had, but since you added the context I thought it may be useful to you.

It is usually possible to increase mobile reception by at least a bar or two by temporarily placing the mobile device in front of a metal parabolic reflector such as a large wok or an old satellite dish. A click-clack style plastic box can be used to provide a weatherproof box in which to place the mobile to get a text in (or out). You first need to determine the direction of the tower that services your property then mount the dish/wok/reflector in a position that aims in that direction (some experimentation with the signal meter and moving the dish around is required to get it perfect).

There are many examples of doing this using cheap and readily available household items in this document from back in 2004. The examples in the document are for wifi back when it was first becoming a thing, but they are equally applicable to the frequencies used by the modems in mobiles.

Poor-man's wifi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fmLSIhaHyJN6PBoLx8I3tZJbd2ayXnnC/view?usp=sharing

refelector

stick

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Ultimate Geek

#3142647 4-Oct-2023 11:58

caffynz:

That is super cool thank you! Wish we knew about this earlier - woulda saved so much frustration :)

One more question please if you don't mind; is there anything I need to be aware re WiFi Calling - e.g. additional charges or are costs covered within the plan we have for our mobile and broadband (same provider)?

For me, costs are covered as if I was connected to a normal cell tower, so yes covered within the plan I have. I am not aware of any additional charges, but hopefully someone else can come in here to confirm this

freitasm

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#3142804 4-Oct-2023 14:39

Costs are covered. If you are roaming with 2degrees you can even turn aeroplane mode on, turn on Wi-Fi only and you will be able to place phone calls and receive SMS while connected to the Internet, without paying roaming.

Note you have to turn aeroplane mode before leaving New Zealand to avoid your phone doing a connection to the cellular network when landing in another country, otherwise you be charged a daily roaming fee (depending on your plan).

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Dratsab

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#3142826 4-Oct-2023 17:04

You may also find messages for web (send/receive SMS in a browser window) helpful.

caffynz

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#3142834 4-Oct-2023 18:19

Dratsab:

You may also find messages for web (send/receive SMS in a browser window) helpful.

Wait - WHAT?! Mindblown.

freitasm:

Costs are covered. If you are roaming with 2degrees you can even turn aeroplane mode on, turn on Wi-Fi only and you will be able to place phone calls and receive SMS while connected to the Internet, without paying roaming.

Note you have to turn aeroplane mode before leaving New Zealand to avoid your phone doing a connection to the cellular network when landing in another country, otherwise you be charged a daily roaming fee (depending on your plan).

Mindblown again.

So glad I asked in here (I almost didn't, thought it was a question with a painfully obvious answer (no)), super helpful bunch of people :)

freitasm

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#3142976 5-Oct-2023 09:06

Dratsab:

You may also find messages for web (send/receive SMS in a browser window) helpful.

Just remember these messages are not sent over the Internet. Your phone needs to be connected to the Internet (via mobile data or WiFi) and your computer too so the messages can be synchronised between devices.

You can see the messages on your browser but any messages sent and received still go through your phone, using whatever method its using (cellular or Wi-Fi).