International Roaming (USA)

[werfie]

So I will be going to the USA for 5 weeks. I contemplated getting a local sim card (for data), which I will put in my tab.

I would like to still be available on my phone for emergency situations and primarily to get sms'es for stuff like FNB OTP's and voicemail alerts. I would not use the phone for anything other than receiving sms'es and will use Skype to call the family etc. Like I said, I just want to be reachable if there is a family emergency of sorts and still get notified of bank activity - wouldn't want to return after 5 weeks and an illegal simswop was done or some shyte.

My questions are vast:

1. I don't want to spend ANY cash on this. I understand receiving sms'es are free, but you pay through your neck for pretty much anything else (making or receiving).

2. Anyone have any experience on an app or something that automatically blocks pretty much everything on the phone except incoming sms'es? My second option is to get a cheap phone to put the sim in, and use the local (data) sim in my phone rather than the tab.

3. Anyone know how to get this activated with Telkom Mobile. I was surprised when the good folks at three of the stores could not give me anything. Oh wait I wasn't surprised?

4. Any way to retrieve Voicemails over the internet with Telkom Mobile?

Any advice will be welcomed. I just don't want to get a nasty bill surprise of any kind.

 

[Domains.co.za (Wayne)]

You can look at the T-Mobile sim for $60-$70 (bit expensive) but you get unlimited high speed internet access throughout the USA, unlimited calls within the USA and unlimited calls to South African landline numbers

 

[werfie]

You can look at the T-Mobile sim for $60-$70 (bit expensive) but you get unlimited high speed internet access throughout the USA, unlimited calls within the USA and unlimited calls to South African landline numbers

Thanks, I will look at this.

 

[dawaster]

Check out this link - [url]http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011/02/best-prepaid-data-carriers-and-plans.html [/URL]
I was in New York over Christmas and while there is wifi in most places you will never be sure how secure it it. I bought myself one of these http://www.bestbuy.com/site/mobile-phone-accessories/mobile-hotspots/pcmcat184700050008.c?id=pcmcat184700050008 I got the cheapest on on special at $30 and a t-mobile sim for another $20 and I could access everything i needed just be sure to disable cellular data on your cellphone

 

[sajunky]

I wouldn't rely on SMS delivery while roaming. Telkom particularly has bad records with Apple. Use Telegram, Whatsapp, Skype/Viber with positive balance, whatever and a local SIM. I am sure you don't have to spend $30-50 for your basic Internet access. There are also plenty public Wifi hotspots in US.

I have problem with:

2. Anyone have any experience on an app or something that automatically blocks pretty much everything on the phone except incoming sms'es? My second option is to get a cheap phone to put the sim in, and use the local (data) sim in my phone rather than the tab.[...]
4. Any way to retrieve Voicemails over the internet with Telkom Mobile?

This is fundamental mistake. You assume that you can ignore a call and then read voicemail in some other means (from Website by example). If you leave voicemail active, you will be billed roaming charges for every voicemail deposited (even you don't read it)!!!. Many people fall in this trap.

The only way to avoid voicemail charges is to disable voicemail completely. You will still be able to receive calls, but you will be not charged when rejecting calls.

I can't answer all your questions, but this is important:
Before leaving country type on the handset ##002# and make sure of getting confirmation message, or leave this SIM card home.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Change your FNB OTP to your mail while abroad.

 

[saor]

Change your FNB OTP to your mail while abroad.

This.
Buy a sim card when you land and rely on that to make calls & check mail, whatsapp etc.
But yeah - you might need another phone if you want to receive calls & sms to your number. Else just stick the SA sim in a few times a day to check for SMS.

 

[werfie]

This is fundamental mistake. You assume that you can ignore a call and then read voicemail in some other means (from Website by example). If you leave voicemail active, you will be billed roaming charges for every voicemail deposited (even you don't read it)!!!. Many people fall in this trap.

The only way to avoid voicemail charges is to disable voicemail completely. You will still be able to receive calls, but you will be not charged when rejecting calls.

I can't answer all your questions, but this is important:
Before leaving country type on the handset ##002# and make sure of getting confirmation message, or leave this SIM card home.

Yikes - That is something I never would have imagined. Thanks. Imagine paying for all the spam calls!!!?

What does the ##002# do?

Like I said, I just need the sms'es for the sake of banking primarily. Do you think it will be better to get a prepaid sim and change my number at the bank for sms purposes?

My cousin is getting me a second sim on his plan for $10 for the entire time with unlimited data, so I am sorted there.

 

[saor]

Like I said, I just need the sms'es for the sake of banking primarily. Do you think it will be better to get a prepaid sim and change my number at the bank for sms purposes?
.

Change the OTP to email, not SMS. No need to mess around with phone number changes.

 

[werfie]

Change your FNB OTP to your mail while abroad.

I don't get the FNB mails half the time. My Cheque Card OTP comes to SMS, my Credit Card to Mail... I have had to cancel 3 purchases in the past because the mails just never came But I guess I don't have much of a choice.

 

[sajunky]

Yikes - That is something I never would have imagined. Thanks. Imagine paying for all the spam calls!!!?

What does the ##002# do?

Like I said, I just need the sms'es for the sake of banking primarily. Do you think it will be better to get a prepaid sim and change my number at the bank for sms purposes?

This is a standard GSM code for cancelling all call forwarding, diverts to mailbox, etc. Your voicemail is completely gone. This is the only way to avoid roaming charges. If you also disable data access on your phone, you will be in full control of your spending. Also read messages from saor. Before swaping SIM, make sure that data access is disabled.

I also think that redirecting OTP to Email is better option. International SMS can be delayed or might not reach you at all (depends on the roaming partner).

 

[werfie]

This is a standard GSM code for cancelling all call forwarding, diverts to mailbox, etc. Your voicemail is completely gone. This is the only way to avoid roaming charges. If you also disable data access on your phone, you will be in full control of your spending. Also read messages from saor. Before swaping SIM, make sure that data access is disabled.

I also think that redirecting OTP to Email is better option. International SMS can be delayed or might not reach you at all (depends on the roaming partner).

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely do this. I can see how it's easy to fall into this trap.