Does 2degrees not offer an economical roaming 'package' for prepay?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Does 2degrees not offer an economical roaming 'package' for prepay?

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Shoes2468

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Ultimate Geek
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#3387775 28-Jun-2025 10:08

No, 2degrees prepaid roaming is annoying if you just want enough to stay connected for a couple of weeks. A similar offering to skinny for roaming would be useful.

esim etc are fine for power users which we mostly are here.
I changed my parents to skinny because the roaming on 2degrees. They now use skinny and use one of the roaming packs when travelling to Aus for a couple of weeks a year. Far simpler solution than eSIM etc.

Sian

5 posts

Wannabe Geek
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#3387993 29-Jun-2025 13:32

I am NOT tech savvy as I am fairly old(!), so I have a couple of basic questions about this topic. (I am going to the UK)

Am I correct in assuming that if I put my phone in flight mode, I will not use any mobile data and will not incur roaming charges?

How can people contact me if I do this?

Is this scenario correct?: I arrive in the UK and my phone is in flight mode. I have to find Wi-fi somewhere to send emails. I can't phone or text anyone using my NZ number but I can use WhatsApp if I have a wi-fi connection. I can still use Google Maps if I find a wi-fi connection.

My main concern is that I won't be able to contact anyone or they me, and being lost without a map or being able to get transport details.

Linux

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#3387994 29-Jun-2025 13:35

@Sian Does your handset support WiFi calling? Handset into flight mode connect to WiFi and zero roaming charges your phone will work like it is in New Zealand

Incoming / outgoing calls / SMS

Sian

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#3387995 29-Jun-2025 13:41

Sorry to sound rather dim, but how do I find out if it supports wifi calling? It is an Apple phone if that helps.

Linux

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#3387996 29-Jun-2025 13:44

Sian:

Sorry to sound rather dim, but how do I find out if it supports wifi calling? It is an Apple phone if that helps.

@Sian look in the menu and enable it now you will find it under settings in one of the menu options

SaltyNZ

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#3387997 29-Jun-2025 13:47

Sian:

I am NOT tech savvy as I am fairly old(!), so I have a couple of basic questions about this topic. (I am going to the UK)

Am I correct in assuming that if I put my phone in flight mode, I will not use any mobile data and will not incur roaming charges?

How can people contact me if I do this?

Is this scenario correct?: I arrive in the UK and my phone is in flight mode. I have to find Wi-fi somewhere to send emails. I can't phone or text anyone using my NZ number but I can use WhatsApp if I have a wi-fi connection. I can still use Google Maps if I find a wi-fi connection.

My main concern is that I won't be able to contact anyone or they me, and being lost without a map or being able to get transport details.

If your phone is in flight mode, the radios are all turned off. This includes Wifi. You cannot use any service which requires access to the internet or make or receive calls or SMS.

If you then turn on Wifi and your handset supports it then you can use VoWifi to make and receive calls and SMS using your normal NZ number while on Wifi. You can also use Whatsapp, Google maps etc. As soon as you step outside the Wifi hotspot, you will be off air again. Any handset that supports VoLTE should also support VoWifi. If your handset does not support VoLTE it's going to be a museum exhibit by the end of the year anyway.

We have noticed that sometimes subscribers with iPhones who use a global roaming service eSIM - one that requires you to have roaming on in order to use it in the country you are visiting - sometimes causes the iPhone to use a small amount of home network data which in turn triggers the daily charge. So, beware. If you want to use a traveller eSIM to avoid 2degrees charges, make sure it does not require data roaming to be enabled in the country you are visiting in order to work.

We have taken it up with Apple, but note that there is nothing 2degrees can do to prevent it from occurring, as all we see is that the device attempted to use 2degrees roaming data.

For Australia specifically since I was there for a couple of months earlier this year I got a regular Telstra eSIM on their second-cheapest prepay plan. I had 2degrees voice & SMS enabled but data roaming off. This meant I could receive SMS on my 2degrees line (for free) and I could also make calls on 2D via Wifi, but data service was through the Telstra eSIM. I can confirm that the only days I was charged for roaming with this setup were the three days I explicitly used it.

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

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

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Sian

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#3387998 29-Jun-2025 13:57

Thanks! I have put it on Wifi calling. It sounds like a wonderful and easy solution! I am sure there will be plenty of wifi hotspots.

Thank you, Linux!

Sian

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#3387999 29-Jun-2025 13:59

Thank you, Salty NZ. I am feeling a lot more confident now.

steve2222

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#3388145 29-Jun-2025 20:03

Linux:

@Sian Does your handset support WiFi calling? Handset into flight mode connect to WiFi and zero roaming charges your phone will work like it is in New Zealand

Incoming / outgoing calls / SMS

Just for my clarification: you mention SMS. So this means with Wifi Calling I can receive normal NZ SMS messages (ie the type used to send verification codes) while I am overseas without incurring roaming charges from my NZ mobile supplier?

Thx

Linux

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#3388150 29-Jun-2025 20:14

steve2222:

Linux:

@Sian Does your handset support WiFi calling? Handset into flight mode connect to WiFi and zero roaming charges your phone will work like it is in New Zealand

Incoming / outgoing calls / SMS

Just for my clarification: you mention SMS. So this means with Wifi Calling I can receive normal NZ SMS messages (ie the type used to send verification codes) while I am overseas without incurring roaming charges from my NZ mobile supplier?

Thx

@steve2222 Your handset will work the same as if it was connected to a cell tower back in NZ and this includes SMS / MMS of any type

NZ Mobile carriers have never charged for incoming SMS when customers are roaming - You of course would get charged for premium SMS as per normal

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