o2 Mobile Phone advice in America

savergrant

Dangermouse99 said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

Thanks! I don't suppose you could recommend how/where I would get a second sim? Is it easy or would I need to go through hoops entering personal data?

If anybody has experienced this, please let me know

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/cheap-roaming-calls/#local

If you have 2 sim slots or a phone which is esim compatible you can have an overseas sim and a uk sim active simultaneously. Just be careful which one is set as default 

tightauldgit

savergrant said:

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

Just looking at my Samsung s22 the only option is turn on/off data roaming. So if set to automatic network will it connect to a foreign network unless I set the sim as inactive? I don't have inclusive roaming.

It should do. You will connect to the local network and be charged the relevant rates depending on whatever they are. Of course if you don't make any outgoing call, or send any outgoing message then there's no charge. The issue with data is that it tends to connect and send and receive automatically. Hence why that should be switched off. 

Normally for me because I'm PAYG I don't have any credit to make paid for calls so effectively I can't send anything outgoing but can still use it for incoming comms where I don't have roaming. 

savergrant

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

Just looking at my Samsung s22 the only option is turn on/off data roaming. So if set to automatic network will it connect to a foreign network unless I set the sim as inactive? I don't have inclusive roaming.

It should do. You will connect to the local network and be charged the relevant rates depending on whatever they are. Of course if you don't make any outgoing call, or send any outgoing message then there's no charge. The issue with data is that it tends to connect and send and receive automatically. Hence why that should be switched off. 

Normally for me because I'm PAYG I don't have any credit to make paid for calls so effectively I can't send anything outgoing but can still use it for incoming comms where I don't have roaming. 

I understood that if you don't have free roaming you are charged for incoming calls (as the caller doesn't know they are calling abroad?)

silvercar

savergrant said:

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

Just looking at my Samsung s22 the only option is turn on/off data roaming. So if set to automatic network will it connect to a foreign network unless I set the sim as inactive? I don't have inclusive roaming.

My iPhone looked the same, until I added the eSIM, when the options changed so I could pick which SIM had roaming activated.

Bonhomie

Dangermouse99 said:

Hi, with o2 I don't have roaming and would rather not spend £6 per day to use the phone as I'd be looking at over £60 which feels obscene. Is there a cheap way to use a mobile over in Las Vegas? Apparently if I remove my Sim card, that is best to prevent any o2 fees and I would still be able to use Whatsapp. Not sure this is true, just thought I'd ask for any help/advice with this please. Thanks!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-PAYG-Voice-Pack/dp/B09QKP2DRX/

tightauldgit

savergrant said:

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

tightauldgit said:

savergrant said:

amanda1024 said:

Another thing you can do: if you have a dual sim phone (or one that accepts e-sims), you can keep your O2 sim in but turn off data roaming, then get a second US data sim to use for data. That way you can use WhatsApp for calls and messages but still be able to receive text messages on your O2 number. But if you're going to be in places that have wifi, probably unnecessarily complicated 

As I understand it you can't receive text messages if roaming is off, as you need to be connected to a mobile signal.  It depends on the network you are using whether you are charged for roaming merely by connecting, or by chargeable usage.

I think amanda was just recommending turning off DATA roaming though, not all roaming. That way you can still get incoming messages. If you don't pay for the roaming package you will still connect in the US it's just that you'll be on the insane rates but if you don't use the phone for data or outgoing calls then it'll still working for incoming calls and messages. 

You can then get a local SIM to use for data needs or use WIFI if it's available. 

I also just used my PAYG 3 SIM in the US and it worked the same as it would in the UK with no extra charges.  

Just looking at my Samsung s22 the only option is turn on/off data roaming. So if set to automatic network will it connect to a foreign network unless I set the sim as inactive? I don't have inclusive roaming.

It should do. You will connect to the local network and be charged the relevant rates depending on whatever they are. Of course if you don't make any outgoing call, or send any outgoing message then there's no charge. The issue with data is that it tends to connect and send and receive automatically. Hence why that should be switched off. 

Normally for me because I'm PAYG I don't have any credit to make paid for calls so effectively I can't send anything outgoing but can still use it for incoming comms where I don't have roaming. 

I understood that if you don't have free roaming you are charged for incoming calls (as the caller doesn't know they are calling abroad?)

Never had this issue with incoming calls. Although to be honest I very rarely get any. 

J_B

savergrant said:

I understood that if you don't have free roaming you are charged for incoming calls (as the caller doesn't know they are calling abroad?)

£2 per minute with standard O2 in america

https://www.o2.co.uk/international/using-your-phone-abroad

savergrant

J_B said:

savergrant said:

I understood that if you don't have free roaming you are charged for incoming calls (as the caller doesn't know they are calling abroad?)

£2 per minute with standard O2 in america

https://www.o2.co.uk/international/using-your-phone-abroad

So if your phone rings best advice is to reject the call then WhatsApp them back from a wifi area.