Would you recommend MTN roaming?

[Candystore]

I am traveling overseas but want to stay in touch with family back in SA, basically via Whatsapp. I do NOT want to make or receive calls (unless of course it is an emergency) and I do NOT want to access social media or any other apps via my phone.

How would you recommend I do that? MTN roaming? But how to curb costs?

 

[SYNERGY]

No, no and no.
Just no.

Buy a local Sim card there. Whatsapp will function fine with your old number/contacts.

 

[Corelli]

I would either get a local sim or use the wifi hotspots. Alwayson has international roaming hotspot partners which worked well last time. The time before i used MTN roaming and got a 15k bill, mainly because the phone switched to roaming more onto their more expensive partner.

There are lots of wifi hotspots and you wouldnt have to worry. Where are you going anyhow?

 

[supersunbird]

I am traveling overseas but want to stay in touch with family back in SA, basically via Whatsapp. I do NOT want to make or receive calls (unless of course it is an emergency) and I do NOT want to access social media or any other apps via my phone.

How would you recommend I do that? MTN roaming? But how to curb costs?

You don't have a tablet or mifi device or similar? Just buy a local prepaid SIM, put it in the aforementioned device and create a wifi hotspot to connect to.

 

[Dean01]

Depends where you roam. Used MTN whilst roaming in Europe. Cheapest out of all S.A. networks around R1.5 / mb. Sufficient for WhatsApp ...But id recommend using local SIM if you going to use any other apps

 

[Venomous]

I am traveling overseas but want to stay in touch with family back in SA, basically via Whatsapp. I do NOT want to make or receive calls (unless of course it is an emergency) and I do NOT want to access social media or any other apps via my phone.

How would you recommend I do that? MTN roaming? But how to curb costs?

That could hurt.

Just get a local SIM there with some data on it. Insert in your phone. Use whatsapp, skype, telegram etc as you normally would.
They will still work.

Obviously you cannot receive your normal ZA number calls and SMSs, but you said those are not needed.

 

[Venomous]

And PLEASE ADVISE YOUR BANK BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT YOU WILL BE EXITING THE COUNTRY OR YOU COULD END UP STUCK WITHOUT MONEY. (bank cards wont work)


Yes that is that important that it HAD to be written in caps

 

[Candystore]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the brilliant advice!

 

[RedhotNeo]

Depending on where u traveling, bitcoin can save u a lot of money on foreign exchange tax and commissions