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I love WiFi calling at home since we are at the fringe of service {Thank you Froyo!}, but how will it work when we travel to Europe? Can I connect to any "open" WiFi network and make voice calls? How will I be billed? Will a call made in France to the USA be just taken out of my bucket of minutes? Will it be considered International roaming at $1.29 a minute in France? What if I make a local call in France from a France WiFi connection? How will that be billed? I've talked with my local T-Mobile store rep. and he said he was recently in Mexico and could not connect to any local WiFi networks for phone calls. Anyone else have this experience elsewhere OR have you successfully used WiFi calling outside the USA? Of course I plan on getting a local SIM, but I may be switching it a lot if WiFI calling on Tmobile will be a local call back to the USA.
Has anybody tried using WiFi calling outside the USA??? Any help will be appreciated since TMobile doesn't seem to know for certain.
International WiFi Calling
Yes, it works well. i use it all the time in Europe (as well as Asia). Lately, I have been buying a local data sim putting it in a spare android phone with hot spot capability and carrying it around with me. My phone is registered via wifi and 3g to t-mo so all calls in the US are out of my bucket with no additional charges.
Have you tried to make local European Calls while on WiFi? If so were you charged the long distance rate from the USA or the roaming rate of $1.29 a minute in most European countries?
UMAuser said:
Yes, it works well. i use it all the time in Europe (as well as Asia). Lately, I have been buying a local data sim putting it in a spare android phone with hot spot capability and carrying it around with me. My phone is registered via wifi and 3g to t-mo so all calls in the US are out of my bucket with no additional charges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you used a local SIM in Japan? With a Vibrant? I'll be in Tokyo in April and am researching data plan options.
Since the Vibrant has tethering and wifi calling with 2.2 a reasonably priced SIM and data plan would be just the ticket.
Thanks.
UMAuser said:
Yes, it works well. i use it all the time in Europe (as well as Asia). Lately, I have been buying a local data sim putting it in a spare android phone with hot spot capability and carrying it around with me. My phone is registered via wifi and 3g to t-mo so all calls in the US are out of my bucket with no additional charges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thaw amazing! Buy im just wondering how you are able to use tmo wifi calling with a non tmo sim inside the phone?
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant (Bionix-V-1.2.1) using xda app
I did a quick search and didn't see this mentioned anywhere here... so I wanted to give out this little tip because I've found it incredibly useful.
When I was doing some research into T-Mobile's wifi calling, I came across a press release that stated WiFi calling would not use your plan minutes... I was quite confused as I use WiFi calling all the time and it certainly did deduct from my 500 Whenever minutes. So I did some more research!
What my research led me to find was that the 'free wifi calling' is a feature that T-Mobile doesn't add to new accounts. It seems like this is an undocumented feature that T-Mobile goes out of their way to NOT advertise or even display on their My Tmobile website, you can't add it yourself. Oh, and it's only available to people on the classic plans (or so i've read) that have a minute allotment (I have the 500minutes/month classic talk package).
You can get this feature added by simply calling t-mobile, or through their live chat on their website (available 24/7).. I emailed TForce, who also awarded me 150 bonus minutes.. not even sure why haha. All you have to do is ask that the "Free WiFi Calling" feature be added to your account, and best of all it's FREE!
Once this feature is added, all calls placed over WiFi will not use your minute allotment. They will appear on your usage as "T-Mobile HotSpot minutes" which are unlimited.
I have found this INCREDIBLY useful.. because with only 500 minutes I really wasn't able to use the phone as a land-line replacement... But NOW I can... because I'm connected to wifi a good 80% of the time.
TL;DR: If you call/live chat/email t-mobile and request the 'free wifi calling' feature be added to your account, all calls placed over WiFi will not use any of your anytime minutes. You effectively have unlimited minutes while connected to wifi.
You CANNOT add this feature using the T-Mobile website. You can't even really find any evidence of its' existence on the site.
Another cool 'feature' is that while abroad, you can use your new unlimited WiFi calling to save on costly roaming charges...
Sorry if this was already 'well known'... it came as a very pleasant surprise to me. Hope this helps some people!
ericdjobs said:
I did a quick search and didn't see this mentioned anywhere here... so I wanted to give out this little tip because I've found it incredibly useful.
When I was doing some research into T-Mobile's wifi calling, I came across a press release that stated WiFi calling would not use your plan minutes... I was quite confused as I use WiFi calling all the time and it certainly did deduct from my 500 Whenever minutes. So I did some more research!
What my research led me to find was that the 'free wifi calling' is a feature that T-Mobile doesn't add to new accounts. It seems like this is an undocumented feature that T-Mobile goes out of their way to NOT advertise or even display on their My Tmobile website, you can't add it yourself. Oh, and it's only available to people on the classic plans (or so i've read) that have a minute allotment (I have the 500minutes/month classic talk package).
You can get this feature added by simply calling t-mobile, or through their live chat on their website (available 24/7).. I emailed TForce, who also awarded me 150 bonus minutes.. not even sure why haha. All you have to do is ask that the "Free WiFi Calling" feature be added to your account, and best of all it's FREE!
Once this feature is added, all calls placed over WiFi will not use your minute allotment. They will appear on your usage as "T-Mobile HotSpot minutes" which are unlimited.
I have found this INCREDIBLY useful.. because with only 500 minutes I really wasn't able to use the phone as a land-line replacement... But NOW I can... because I'm connected to wifi a good 80% of the time.
TL;DR: If you call/live chat/email t-mobile and request the 'free wifi calling' feature be added to your account, all calls placed over WiFi will not use any of your anytime minutes. You effectively have unlimited minutes while connected to wifi.
You CANNOT add this feature using the T-Mobile website. You can't even really find any evidence of its' existence on the site.
Another cool 'feature' is that while abroad, you can use your new unlimited WiFi calling to save on costly roaming charges...
Sorry if this was already 'well known'... it came as a very pleasant surprise to me. Hope this helps some people!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this, great post to read!
For international usage, you can use WiFi Calling regardless if you have the free "hotspot" minutes or not. All calls made internationally using the WiFi Calling feature are treated as a domestic call.
I used my phone in Mexico over WiFi at no additional cost.
haha, wait till your first bill.
WiFi calling is a free feature available to ANYONE with a wifi calling capable phone. I does deduct from your minutes.
This is not a secret feature.
I work here and we go out of our way to mention it to every customer. It solves most issue of in home signal strength.
PER TMOBILE WEBSITE
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is a free feature for T-Mobile customers with a Wi-Fi capable phone. Wi-Fi Calling is an excellent solution for coverage issues in and around the home or wherever cellular coverage is limited. Minutes used while connected to the Wi-Fi network count against available rate plan minutes.
mikeschevelle said:
Minutes used while connected to the Wi-Fi network count against available rate plan minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he is talking about is there is a free WiFi Unlimited Option you can add to WiFi capable phones that does not count against available rate plan minutes. I added it yesterday and got it back dated to my previous billing cycle. I checked it today and it does exactly that.
I didn't know about this. Thank you bic boi
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using XDA
I figured being on T-Mobile, they all just had unlimited everything for either 59.99 or 79.99 based on classic or value
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/05/t-mobile-bring-unlimited-wifi-calling-back/
mikeschevelle said:
I will again say that there no secret option for free unlimited minutes.
Wait for your bills guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Accidentally thanked you. But aanyways, its not secret. Lol. I talked to a tmobile rep earlier and he said that its unlimited to call any mobile carrier here in the U.S without using minutes as long as its through WIFI.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using XDA
its available to all plans including value plan.
It being free is just a feature that they have to add, as in not automatically added when you sign up.
Our old plan was 3000 minutes and unlimited texts for 3 lines. We used about 700 to 1100 minutes per month. With free wifi calling on the value plan we were are able to share 1000 minutes and get 3 phones at and $15 per month each and add data for all 3 for about the same price we were paying before.
None of the other 3 major carriers come close to tmo on price. The one complaint I do have though is that they have so many plans and plan options that even their employees seem confused most of the time. It took a meeting of 3 reps, 15 minutes, and a computer to confirm that you can use wifi mintues without them counting on my plan.
I would use it more if the latency wasn't terrible almost all the time. I know bandwidth isn't the issue, it's latency and jitter, but I'd expect better from Comcast paying $100/mo for a 50mbit Internet connection.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
mikeschevelle said:
haha, wait till your first bill.
WiFi calling is a free feature available to ANYONE with a wifi calling capable phone. I does deduct from your minutes.
This is not a secret feature.
I work here and we go out of our way to mention it to every customer. It solves most issue of in home signal strength.
PER TMOBILE WEBSITE
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is a free feature for T-Mobile customers with a Wi-Fi capable phone. Wi-Fi Calling is an excellent solution for coverage issues in and around the home or wherever cellular coverage is limited. Minutes used while connected to the Wi-Fi network count against available rate plan minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That wouldn't be the first time there was something on T-Mobile.com that was tragically outdated Intel wise. I'd be extremely careful about representing yourself as a t mobile employee on forums. It sucks, i know, but it is a pretty serious offense. There was a time several years ago where all I was doing was helping some customers out on T-Mobile support forums and they suspendednmy account for presenting myself as a t mobile representative. Acknowledging yourself as being an employee of t mobile is a gray area. I think they're more sensitive about circumstances such as this (that I was guilty of before I was aware) where you say "I work for t mobile and let me tell you..." Etc etc.
I would give you the link if I could, but (not trying to argue, only educate) what you posted is true of OLD WiFi calling features, yes. there was a change (sometime a little less than a year ago I think) that occurred that once again provided free minutes over WiFi, which is still in effect today.
As far as being billed for calls over WiFi (now addressing the op and everyone in general) - its not possible, at least not on the Amaze at any rate. If you dont have the feature, you're not actually making any calls over WiFi at all. There are two types - those that have the feature built into the settings of their phone (this is the case with the amaze) and those that require an additional WiFi calling app that t mobile included on certain models.
It is possible to be billed minutes for calls over WiFi for the latter of the two.
With the amaze and most other new models (the ones that have the feature built into their settings itself), provided that the feature is enabled (on ICS its settings > more > WiFi calling and WiFi calling settings) it automatically connects to the network and gives you a blue or red notification depending on if it was able to connect to the network over WiFi. If you dont have the feature, it won't connect and there's a very obvious red notification that appears informing you of sich. I'm thus a bit surprised that you were under the impression that you were making WiFi calls and hadn't noticed that notification.
The feature itself is more of a provisioning feature than anything. If its applied and you have a compatible simcard... It will work and you'll have a blue notification. If you don't have the feature, the system rejects the connection over WiFi, you get a red notification and your voice services continue to be connected over the network. While your data itself is all that's connected to WiFi. If this feature isn't offerred to you when you activate or buy your new phone, the rep is probably pressed for time (hustle and bustle makes it hard to remember every last detail sometimes), neglectful, or lacks the knowledge necessary to properly present the service. Everyone is human guys, give your reps the benefit of the doubt. No one is out to get you. From my experience, most of t mobile's workforce is full of genuine, honest people who believe in the company they work for. T mobile tends to attract people with a much higher caliber of values since the company's operations in general tend to be much more customer advocate based than other cell phone companies. I've actually known more than a few people in the industry who want to work for t mobile more than any other company and who have stayed with t mobile when other more lucrative opportunities have presented themselves because of T Mobile's high standard for recognizing their customers as people and not another metric to be achieved.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
AndroidAutobot said:
That wouldn't be the first time there was something on T-Mobile.com that was tragically outdated Intel wise. I'd be extremely careful about representing yourself as a t mobile employee on forums. It sucks, i know, but it is a pretty serious offense. There was a time several years ago where all I was doing was helping some customers out on T-Mobile support forums and they suspendednmy account for presenting myself as a t mobile representative. Acknowledging yourself as being an employee of t mobile is a gray area. I think they're more sensitive about circumstances such as this (that I was guilty of before I was aware) where you say "I work for t mobile and let me tell you..." Etc etc.
I would give you the link if I could, but (not trying to argue, only educate) what you posted is true of OLD WiFi calling features, yes. there was a change (sometime a little less than a year ago I think) that occurred that once again provided free minutes over WiFi, which is still in effect today.
As far as being billed for calls over WiFi (now addressing the op and everyone in general) - its not possible, at least not on the Amaze at any rate. If you dont have the feature, you're not actually making any calls over WiFi at all. There are two types - those that have the feature built into the settings of their phone (this is the case with the amaze) and those that require an additional WiFi calling app that t mobile included on certain models.
It is possible to be billed minutes for calls over WiFi for the latter of the two.
With the amaze and most other new models (the ones that have the feature built into their settings itself), provided that the feature is enabled (on ICS its settings > more > WiFi calling and WiFi calling settings) it automatically connects to the network and gives you a blue or red notification depending on if it was able to connect to the network over WiFi. If you dont have the feature, it won't connect and there's a very obvious red notification that appears informing you of sich. I'm thus a bit surprised that you were under the impression that you were making WiFi calls and hadn't noticed that notification.
The feature itself is more of a provisioning feature than anything. If its applied and you have a compatible simcard... It will work and you'll have a blue notification. If you don't have the feature, the system rejects the connection over WiFi, you get a red notification and your voice services continue to be connected over the network. While your data itself is all that's connected to WiFi. If this feature isn't offerred to you when you activate or buy your new phone, the rep is probably pressed for time (hustle and bustle makes it hard to remember every last detail sometimes), neglectful, or lacks the knowledge necessary to properly present the service. Everyone is human guys, give your reps the benefit of the doubt. No one is out to get you. From my experience, most of t mobile's workforce is full of genuine, honest people who believe in the company they work for. T mobile tends to attract people with a much higher caliber of values since the company's operations in general tend to be much more customer advocate based than other cell phone companies. I've actually known more than a few people in the industry who want to work for t mobile more than any other company and who have stayed with t mobile when other more lucrative opportunities have presented themselves because of T Mobile's high standard for recognizing their customers as people and not another metric to be achieved.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I added the 'Free WiFi Calling' feature, WiFi calling worked fine, but it deducted minutes from my 'Whenever' minutes. I use the HTC Amaze with the WiFi calling built into the settings.
After adding the feature, the only change is calls that are placed over WiFi now use "T-Mobile Hotspot minutes" instead of my "Whenever" minutes.
I'm 100% positive that I was making calls over WiFi before adding the 'Free WiFi calling feature'. When I go into my Usage on the t-mobile website, the calls are have a "U" next to them, indicating they were placed over WiFi, but they were deducting my Whenever minutes.
If you dont have the feature, it won't connect and there's a very obvious red notification that appears informing you of sich. I'm thus a bit surprised that you were under the impression that you were making WiFi calls and hadn't noticed that notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This wasn't my personal experience. Before adding the feature, calling over WiFi worked fine (i don't get ANY t-mobile signal in my house), but it did deduct my whenever minutes. After adding the feature, the only change is that it now uses the unlimited "T-Mobile Hotspot minutes". I'm positive I was making calls over WiFi before the feature, though. I can confirm this because looking in my online call log I see plenty of calls labled as "WiFi (U)" that definitely deducted my whenever minutes.
When I signed up for my account, the sales rep informed me that WiFi calls still use my "Whenever" minutes and did not inform me of this feature at ALL... thus why I complained to TForce who awarded me the 150 bonus minutes as well.
mikeschevelle said:
haha, wait till your first bill.
WiFi calling is a free feature available to ANYONE with a wifi calling capable phone. I does deduct from your minutes.
This is not a secret feature.
I work here and we go out of our way to mention it to every customer. It solves most issue of in home signal strength.
PER TMOBILE WEBSITE
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is a free feature for T-Mobile customers with a Wi-Fi capable phone. Wi-Fi Calling is an excellent solution for coverage issues in and around the home or wherever cellular coverage is limited. Minutes used while connected to the Wi-Fi network count against available rate plan minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused why you said 'wait for your first bill' when you can login to my.t-mobile.com and clearly see your usage. Before adding the "Free WiFi calling" feature, any calls I placed over wifi clearly deducted from my Whenever minutes. After adding it, those minutes are now in a new column "T-mobile hotspot minutes"... I checked this a couple of times.. placed a call using WiFi before adding the feature and my used Whenever minutes went from 55 to 60. After adding the feature, I have talked for hours and my whenever minutes are still at 60.
Yes. Minutes used deduct from your rate plan UNLESS you add the "Free WiFi calling" feature by either calling t-mobile or using their live chat. That's the 'secret feature'. The sales rep definitely did NOT go out of his way to tell me about this feature.. the sales rep actually told me what you are saying, that WiFi calls use my plan minutes. I never claimed that WiFi calling itself is a 'secret feature'. The 'secret feature' is the "Free WiFi calling" service addition that gives you unlimited minutes using WiFi calls. You can use WiFi calling JUST FINE without "Free WiFi calling" added as a service, at least I was able to.. it just uses your plan minutes.
Now, after adding that feature, all of my wifi calls are being billed as "T-Mobile Hotspot minutes" (check my screenshot in OP) which are unlimited. I'm surprised that you claim to work for T-Mobile yet are unaware of this feature. All you have to do is hop on the live chat and they will tell you all about it if you ask.
Wonder if I should call tmo and ask about this.. I've been paying $10 a month for the last couple of years for the [email protected] There are 4 lines on my account tho.. 2 g2's, 1 amaze, 1 mt4g
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Got it added
Based on this thread, I just did the T-Mobile website chat and got this added to my account. Will report how we go from here when I get a bill. Certainly, the rep didn't seem at all surprised, and explained that this meant I could use wifi without drawing minutes from my rate plan.
My apologies, thought you were talking about any wifi calls.
CC is only supposed to add that feature to those with signal issues, not talking to much issues
ericdjobs said:
I'm confused why you said 'wait for your first bill' when you can login to my.t-mobile.com and clearly see your usage. Before adding the "Free WiFi calling" feature, any calls I placed over wifi clearly deducted from my Whenever minutes. After adding it, those minutes are now in a new column "T-mobile hotspot minutes"... I checked this a couple of times.. placed a call using WiFi before adding the feature and my used Whenever minutes went from 55 to 60. After adding the feature, I have talked for hours and my whenever minutes are still at 60.
Yes. Minutes used deduct from your rate plan UNLESS you add the "Free WiFi calling" feature by either calling t-mobile or using their live chat. That's the 'secret feature'. The sales rep definitely did NOT go out of his way to tell me about this feature.. the sales rep actually told me what you are saying, that WiFi calls use my plan minutes. I never claimed that WiFi calling itself is a 'secret feature'. The 'secret feature' is the "Free WiFi calling" service addition that gives you unlimited minutes using WiFi calls. You can use WiFi calling JUST FINE without "Free WiFi calling" added as a service, at least I was able to.. it just uses your plan minutes.
Now, after adding that feature, all of my wifi calls are being billed as "T-Mobile Hotspot minutes" (check my screenshot in OP) which are unlimited. I'm surprised that you claim to work for T-Mobile yet are unaware of this feature. All you have to do is hop on the live chat and they will tell you all about it if you ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand now. The feature the people who activated you was the old feature. Perhaps your activation took place before the free WiFi calling feature became available. That would seem to make the most sense because there's nothing really secret about it. "Free WiFi calling" is listed in the features of the activation system and does not deduct from minutes. If you activated before this current feature was available, it would make perfect sense that they were able to add the older feature to your account instead and it would also make perfect sense that they told you it would use minutes. I might be wrong about the time frame. Perhaps it was late last year that this became available. There's currently no way of implimenting the wrong WiFi calling feature from the billing system. It's simply impossible.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Man, I wish this was the case last year when I was on a 750 minute family plan and I was in a bad signal area and always used Wi-Fi calling. Sure enough it always came out of our dedeucted bucket of minutes.
Now I am unlimited....go figure, lol!
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
OR, You can do it the other route,
which is downloading GrooveIP, and setting up your Google Voice number to Groove, and you can make UNLIMITED calls, and texts from your Google Voice number on both Wifi, 3G AND 4G.
I'm on the Walmart 100 minute, Unlimited 4G plan for $30 bucks, and I use Groove to make most of my phone calls. So i never really use minutes unless I'm too lazy to use Groove.
Hi all,
I'm vacationing with my family to Disney Paris and T-Mobile has a nifty feature of unlimited data and texting in foreign countries included in my plan.
Awesome!
Unfortunately the data is only 2G. Makes it impossible to use GPS. Surf the web or send pictures attached to a text.
Is there a mod that can bump that back up to 4G?
Thanks,
NJ
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
njdevils28 said:
Hi all,
I'm vacationing with my family to Disney Paris and T-Mobile has a nifty feature of unlimited data and texting in foreign countries included in my plan.
Awesome!
Unfortunately the data is only 2G. Makes it impossible to use GPS. Surf the web or send pictures attached to a text.
Is there a mod that can bump that back up to 4G?
Thanks,
NJ
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the reason why it's free
GPS should work fine though. You can pay to get 4G data, but it's so expensive for so little data, I wouldn't bother. Try looking for free wifi hotspots.
njdevils28 said:
Hi all,
I'm vacationing with my family to Disney Paris and T-Mobile has a nifty feature of unlimited data and texting in foreign countries included in my plan.
Awesome!
Unfortunately the data is only 2G. Makes it impossible to use GPS. Surf the web or send pictures attached to a text.
Is there a mod that can bump that back up to 4G?
Thanks,
NJ
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to your T-mobile account and buy a one week 200 MB data for $25 (or 2 weeks 500 MB for $50). This is fast data, the free one is 2G only.
The best data prices when traveling abroad usually entail getting a local SIM card. Prepaid or sometimes a regular (cancel anytime) plan. For example, the last time that I looked SFR France had a 1 GB data plan (3G+) for 8 Euro.
.
fffft said:
The best data prices when traveling abroad usually entail getting a local SIM card. Prepaid or sometimes a regular (cancel anytime) plan. For example, the last time that I looked SFR France had a 1 GB data plan (3G+) for 8 Euro.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally forgot about this. OP, do this. Europe is so much cheaper than here for cell service, you can get something that will cover you for an entire month for about $10. You do have to make sure that your phone is unlocked though. If it isn't and you've had the phone for more than 40 days on the same tmobile account, you can ask mobile to give you the unlock code. If you haven't had it for more than 40 days, then you can just pay for one online.
njdevils28 said:
Hi all,
I'm vacationing with my family to Disney Paris and T-Mobile has a nifty feature of unlimited data and texting in foreign countries included in my plan.
Awesome!
Unfortunately the data is only 2G. Makes it impossible to use GPS. Surf the web or send pictures attached to a text.
Is there a mod that can bump that back up to 4G?
Thanks,
NJ
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what is supposed to happen. Your connection may range from 2G through LTE when roaming internationally, however on the "free" plan you will be capped at 128kbps. Which isn't great, but it is fine for email, light web-lookups, most apps even skype calls!
You are lucky that the S5 worked out of the box. I was in London last week on an LG G3 and it took hours of fiddling with the APNs to get the damn phone to roam over there. So much of a hassle to have to find the perfect combination of mobile network/APN, that I just gave up and traded for an S5. I'm hoping that like my old iPhone 5s the data will just plain work without any fiddling.
T-mobile's free data plan may sound slow, but compared to roaming plans that existed before, this is the best thing since sliced bread! Imagine landing in a foreign country and immediately having working data...without having to hunt for a local SIM? Priceless. For folks who travel to many foreign destinations for short times, this is perfect.
lordhamster said:
That is exactly what is supposed to happen. Your connection may range from 2G through LTE when roaming internationally, however on the "free" plan you will be capped at 128kbps. Which isn't great, but it is fine for email, light web-lookups, most apps even skype calls!
You are lucky that the S5 worked out of the box. I was in London last week on an LG G3 and it took hours of fiddling with the APNs to get the damn phone to roam over there. So much of a hassle to have to find the perfect combination of mobile network/APN, that I just gave up and traded for an S5. I'm hoping that like my old iPhone 5s the data will just plain work without any fiddling.
T-mobile's free data plan may sound slow, but compared to roaming plans that existed before, this is the best thing since sliced bread! Imagine landing in a foreign country and immediately having working data...without having to hunt for a local SIM? Priceless. For folks who travel to many foreign destinations for short times, this is perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with your statement that the Tmo roaming works right out of the box, no fiddling. Where I go in the Caribbean, you step off the plane and everything just works (slowly).
Hi there!
I got on three phones the same problem - so I can say that´s a problem from technology itself!
When I´m on the way with my phone and have turned on "LTE", I got best performance in data connection (internet speed) but worse phone reception. Sometimes I can´t phone someone because I got no connection to network to phone (but best data speed!).
When I turn off "LTE" I get best values with my phone reception. Data also good (about 20Mbit).
Could anyone tell me what´s the problem with it? You pay Euros over Euros fot the LTE ant then you can´t phone anymore?
(Sorry for my english!).
That's because LTE and 4G is Data-only. It needs to switch back to 2G/3G to make a call. (it should auto switch when you answer a call).
I suspect your provider doesn't support LTE fast switching, or your SIMcard is simply too old to work properly. Have you checked it with a different SIM?
(Say what you want about T-Mobile's (lack of) network coverage, but at least they made 4G completely free in the Netherlands.)
Ok, i didn´t know that LTE/4G is data only - very interesting.
I got a brand new card, but i will contact the provider (T-Mobile) if they are informed about my problem?
ShadowLea said:
That's because LTE and 4G is Data-only. It needs to switch back to 2G/3G to make a call. (it should auto switch when you answer a call).
I suspect your provider doesn't support LTE fast switching, or your SIMcard is simply too old to work properly. Have you checked it with a different SIM?
(Say what you want about T-Mobile's (lack of) network coverage, but at least they made 4G completely free in the Netherlands.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was correct until last year, with the advent of VoLTE networks. This is basically VoIP on your LTE connection with your mobile network being the VoIP provider and it all being transparent to you. How extensive the rollout is in any particular country or network is anyone's guess though
maluc said:
Ok, i didn´t know that LTE/4G is data only - very interesting.
I got a brand new card, but i will contact the provider (T-Mobile) if they are informed about my problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which country? I know T-Mobile Netherlands does have fast switching enabled. But every section of T-Mobile is completely separate from Deutsche Telekom itself, so it varies per country.
RealitySwitch said:
I think that was correct until last year, with the advent of VoLTE networks. This is basically VoIP on your LTE connection with your mobile network being the VoIP provider and it all being transparent to you. How extensive the rollout is in any particular country or network is anyone's guess though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That hasn't been rolled out in Europe yet, sadly
ShadowLea said:
Which country? I know T-Mobile Netherlands does have fast switching enabled. But every section of T-Mobile is completely separate from Deutsche Telekom itself, so it varies per country.
That hasn't been rolled out in Europe yet, sadly
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Actually, I'm going to be working in the Netherlands soon & am going to need a PAYG or 1-month rolling contract SIM for mainly data. Any suggestions?
RealitySwitch said:
Actually, I'm going to be working in the Netherlands soon & am going to need a PAYG or 1-month rolling contract SIM for mainly data. Any suggestions?
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Uhhhh I haven't had prepaid in years..
The most stable and widespread network is KPN. (government funded) Which is, consequentially, also the most expensive. 4G is not available for prepaid. They offer prepaid with additional packages for data per month. 16 euro for 1GB for 31 days, and € 1,02 per MB after the 1GB runs out.
T-Mobile offers prepaid with packages as well. € 14,95 for 1GB. As far as I know 4G speed isn't available for prepaid. The actual 4G net itself is available in most of the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, extending towards Enschede (guilte as charged) and Arnhem, and some cities in the north and south.
Vodafone offers a contract-free subscription (Hybride) that you can end at any point. Comes in standard and Red, with € 2,50 for 4G in standard. Red is 4G by default. 4G only availables in the big cities. They also offer prepaid with additional packages, 1GB for €10. 4G is an additional package for €5 per month.
If you don't want 4G, there are additional providers with options. For those you're better off heading for a shop and asking them, I don't know the particulars of those.
If you know you're going to be here at least a year, you can get a subscription for a year (either with a device or SIMonly). Much cheaper.
ShadowLea said:
Uhhhh I haven't had prepaid in years..
The most stable and widespread network is KPN. (government funded) Which is, consequentially, also the most expensive. 4G is not available for prepaid. They offer prepaid with additional packages for data per month. 16 euro for 1GB for 31 days, and € 1,02 per MB after the 1GB runs out.
T-Mobile offers prepaid with packages as well. € 14,95 for 1GB. As far as I know 4G speed isn't available for prepaid. The actual 4G net itself is available in most of the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, extending towards Enschede (guilte as charged) and Arnhem, and some cities in the north and south.
Vodafone offers a contract-free subscription (Hybride) that you can end at any point. Comes in standard and Red, with € 2,50 for 4G in standard. Red is 4G by default. 4G only availables in the big cities. They also offer prepaid with additional packages, 1GB for €10. 4G is an additional package for €5 per month.
If you don't want 4G, there are additional providers with options. For those you're better off heading for a shop and asking them, I don't know the particulars of those.
If you know you're going to be here at least a year, you can get a subscription for a year (either with a device or SIMonly). Much cheaper.
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Thanks! All info is useful at this point. I'm hopeful my contract will be for a long time, but it's contracting, so it may only be a few months.
If they made a dual-SIM Moto X or Sony Z3 Compact I'd switch to one of those and sell my current phone, but I'm just going to have to get a Moto G and stick a Dutch SIM in it (and use it as a hotspot for my main phone).
RealitySwitch said:
Thanks! All info is useful at this point. I'm hopeful my contract will be for a long time, but it's contracting, so it may only be a few months.
If they made a dual-SIM Moto X or Sony Z3 Compact I'd switch to one of those and sell my current phone, but I'm just going to have to get a Moto G and stick a Dutch SIM in it (and use it as a hotspot for my main phone).
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If it's purely for data, a MiFi router is also an idea. Basically a router with a SIMslot. Probably cheaper than a phone (starts around 50 quid).
ShadowLea said:
If it's purely for data, a MiFi router is also an idea. Basically a router with a SIMslot. Probably cheaper than a phone (starts around 50 quid).
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Something to think about for sure, though a Dutch voice number may be useful.
RealitySwitch said:
Something to think about for sure, though a Dutch voice number may be useful.
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Very true.
I was just thinking that a simple phone and a MiFi router would probably be cheaper than a smartphone of any kind. I could be wrong, and it might be a bit of a hassle to swap them around all the time.
Sent From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk
hi community, i got my usa version of 1 iv and worked with mint-mobile (using t-mobile's network) to connect/activate. Calling/word text worked fine (image via text did not work), but no internet/data connection over 5g/LTE while browsing. Tech support could not get it working and escalated ... wondering if anyone would know how/what could be done. Thx!!
You must be missing the APN config on your device for TMobile. also, check if mobile data is enabled.
Here is T-Mobile info on how to setup Tmobile USA APN:
Tutorials | T-Mobile Support
Not related to the post (getting T-Mobile service) on any of the Asian firmwares at the moment.
I flashed the Euro, US firmwares and no signal at all. The radio power in hidden menu shows as off.
Does anyone know if crossflashing with this model also flashes the radio modem?
Seems to have worked naturally for Xperia 1 II and Xperia 1 III.
Not sure why this doesn't work now aside from intentionally restricting the phone to the intended region model.
Mine is XQ-CT72 global version on US T-Mobil.
I'm getting 800+, but US version should be better because of better band selection.
Mine goes that fast only certain places.
xperialiker said:
hi community, i got my usa version of 1 iv and worked with mint-mobile (using t-mobile's network) to connect/activate. Calling/word text worked fine (image via text did not work), but no internet/data connection over 5g/LTE while browsing. Tech support could not get it working and escalated ... wondering if anyone would know how/what could be done. Thx!!
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I own the USA variant of the phone and I have absolutely no issues with 5G data nor wi-fi. The only issues I am experiencing is the fact that voice over Wi-Fi has not been provisioned. Coincidentally my phone also tells me within engineering mode that video over Wi-Fi is also not implemented. Sony wants to point the finger at T-Mobile and T-Mobile wants to point the finger at Sony.
Other than that I love this phone.
hnt20 said:
You must be missing the APN config on your device for TMobile. also, check if mobile data is enabled.
Here is T-Mobile info on how to setup Tmobile USA APN:
Tutorials | T-Mobile Support
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I have the correct APN that you mentioned and still no luck for voice over Wi-Fi. I spent over half an hour with a T-Mobile troubleshooting technician and she was not able to remedy the scenario. They have created a trouble ticket and forwarded up the food chain. They claim you will take about 3 days for them to get back to me so cross your fingers (VoWifi).
igotroot said:
I have the correct APN that you mentioned and still no luck for voice over Wi-Fi. I spent over half an hour with a T-Mobile troubleshooting technician and she was not able to remedy the scenario. They have created a trouble ticket and forwarded up the food chain. They claim you will take about 3 days for them to get back to me so cross your fingers (VoWifi).
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Ah, that is a different question. that means you are able to get data and your problem is only with VoWiFi which is expected. your original post question was totally different.
Sony blocks TMO VoWiFi in their software by blocking the network code in their settings. You will never get VoWiFi with Sony and TMO together unless you root and hack your sony build settings to enable it.
Your next best option is to move to GoogleFi that uses TMO network and you will be able to get the full VoWiFi service there since it has different network code.
hnt20 said:
Ah, that is a different question. that means you are able to get data and your problem is only with VoWiFi which is expected. your original post question was totally different.
Sony blocks TMO VoWiFi in their software by blocking the network code in their settings. You will never get VoWiFi with Sony and TMO together unless you root and hack your sony build settings to enable it.
Your next best option is to move to GoogleFi that uses TMO network and you will be able to get the full VoWiFi service there since it has different network code.
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Rats. I've been looking to upgrade from my Note 10+ on T-Mobile, and the Xperia 1 IV looked promising, but VoWiFi being nerfed is a non-starter for my needs. Curse the manufacturers for moving away from expandable storage!
T-Mobile basically did a bunch of farting around and could not provision Wi-Fi calling on my phone. I have confirmed from at least three people on XDA developers that the workaround is to jump on board with Google fi since they do support Wi-Fi calling provisioning.... Or somehow root your phone and find an engineering workaround.
igotroot said:
T-Mobile basically did a bunch of farting around and could not provision Wi-Fi calling on my phone. I have confirmed from at least three people on XDA developers that the workaround is to jump on board with Google fi since they do support Wi-Fi calling provisioning.... Or somehow root your phone and find an engineering workaround.
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It is Still a good attempt from TMO to try to help, It is really not TMO fault here as nothing they can do. Sony is at fault blocking TMO network code in their VoWiFi software.
Sony has decided to block this service from the second largest US carrier, wondering why Sony sales not picking up in the US
seriously genuine question......why is that so important? I mean, can't you just call a person on whatsupp or telegram or any other service? After all, it is just VOIP, right?
kinggo2 said:
seriously genuine question......why is that so important? I mean, can't you just call a person on whatsupp or telegram or any other service? After all, it is just VOIP, right?
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Since WCDMA and GSM are sunset, if you want to call someone or receive calls with your phone, you need VoLTE or VoNR. TG and Whatsapp are not that popular in the US, and imagine someone wanting to use their phone as a phone....
well, I get that. We still have 3G and GSM. And every time I work on new rollout things are more and more complicated because of all generations are still in use. Connecting to a unknown wifi every time seems very not practical and if it is not opened public network (which again is not great) how does that work then? I get it if you are at home/family/friends but my question is more like, no cell signal, jut some random wifi. To me it looks more like a patch then an actual service/solution for the lack of cell signal. Or is that something that you really can rely on?
kinggo2 said:
seriously genuine question......why is that so important? I mean, can't you just call a person on whatsupp or telegram or any other service? After all, it is just VOIP, right?
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The issue is when I'm in my local public supermarket there is no T-Mobile coverage in the building. There is Wi-Fi and I do use Google meet and other apps over Wi-Fi but if someone calls my phone number my phone will not receive the call. That is the point.
Someone would have to actually know that I'm in a no coverage area and utilize one of those other apps to reach me. If not businesses, job offers, local businesses that don't know me personally, someone new that I've met etc etc would never get through to me and I would eventually receive some type of voicemail message indication. That is unacceptable when you have children and other family members and friends that need to get in contact with you immediately.
igotroot said:
but if someone calls my phone number my phone will not receive the call. That is the point.
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Exactly the point, your phone number is the primary way many reach you. if your phone does not have any 3G\4G\5G coverage, then WiFi might be your only other option that gives people the ability to call you directly with your phone.
OK, but who provides wifi? I get that is is just a voip, but you still need internet connection. So instead of cellular it uses wifi.
Here, in many big business buildings or malls we have indoor base stations, sometimes it is combo indoor and out door. Indoor usually is set up as MIMO so all of the providers share the same indoor infrastructure.
Also, many of public places have a wifi but since we are covered with cell signal, nobody really cares about it. Mostly because you can't just connect to it. you need a pass from your bus ticket or your bill in bars or are greeted with front page of the mall that wants you to register and so on. So using wifi here is PITA, that's why I wonder how all that works there and why is it such a big deal.
kinggo2 said:
OK, but who provides wifi? I get that is is just a voip, but you still need internet connection. So instead of cellular it uses wifi.
Here, in many big business buildings or malls we have indoor base stations, sometimes it is combo indoor and out door. Indoor usually is set up as MIMO so all of the providers share the same indoor infrastructure.
Also, many of public places have a wifi but since we are covered with cell signal, nobody really cares about it. Mostly because you can't just connect to it. you need a pass from your bus ticket or your bill in bars or are greeted with front page of the mall that wants you to register and so on. So using wifi here is PITA, that's why I wonder how all that works there and why is it such a big deal.
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There are many places that I have frequented where cellular data and cellular calling will not go through. In those places Wi-Fi is available. While you can use WhatsApp and other individual applications to make video calls and even voice calls you will not be able to receive native incoming calls when someone calls your regular phone number nor will you be able to use your native dialer to make a regular phone call if Wi-Fi calling is not provisioned on your phone. Unfortunately our phones do not get provisioned for T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling apparently due to some issue between the Sony and T-Mobile. So by switching to another carrier or mvno, Wi-Fi calling will be enabled reportedly.
UPDATE: Switched to Google Fi.... Problem solved. Wi-Fi calling now enabled.
That part I get, but still don't know which wifi do you use for that. For mobile network, there is a SIM that handles the connection between cells. Phones can't connect to any available wifi, right. So..... I get what it is, but as someone who works on cell towers installations and from perspective of wifi networks here and my knowledge I still don't get which wifi do you use in that case.
kinggo2 said:
That part I get, but still don't know which wifi do you use for that. For mobile network, there is a SIM that handles the connection between cells. Phones can't connect to any available wifi, right. So..... I get what it is, but as someone who works on cell towers installations and from perspective of wifi networks here and my knowledge I still don't get which wifi do you use in that case.
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It can work on any Wi-Fi network that has adequate bandwidth. I can go to my local Publix supermarket....no cellular signal in there: I turn my WiFi on, I can make/receive calls with the native phone dialer. No cellular tower needed.
Even tested this at home.... I turned Airplane mode on, then afterwards I ONLY turn wi-fi on.... Calls can be made/received.