Forum Discussion
Why is T-mobile charging for WhatsApp international video calls?
I have been noticing increases on my monthly bill lately and called in to verify. The agent told me the extra charge is due to an international call. But guess what: I have been calling my country for years using WhatsApp Video Call and I have never been charged, since I have unlimited data. When I google the question I realize I'm not the only one who has this problem with T-Mobile. On my first call to the billing department the agent told me that international phone calls made through WhatsApp can be charged; she issued a one time courtesy refund to my account though. Then I spoke to a second agent and then a third agent, who both blamed WhatsApp for the issue. Here is what What'sApp says on google about this known issue:
"WhatsApp uses your phone's cellular connection or Wi-Fi network to send and receive messages and calls to your family and friends. As long as you haven't exceeded your mobile data allowance or you're connected to a free Wi-Fi network, your mobile provider shouldn't charge you for messaging or calling over WhatsApp"
I I've been with TMobile for about 15 years, but this issue made me consider taking my business elsewhere, since I video call Brazil everyday using What'sApp. I was offered to have put a block on international calls on my account what I will not do since I must be able to call abroad in case of an emergency. So, in other words they may keep charging me and keep blaming WhatsApp for that. Thanks God they are not the only cellular company over there!
Oh! So the problem is WhatsApp and it does not happen with similar apps, wright? Nope, it's wrong. It happens with Apple FaceTime also. Look at the complaints, see the attachments. And if this problem really happens because of the apps, what I doubt, WHY DON'T T-MOIBLE ADVERTISE A SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE AND STOP CHARGING CUSTOMERS THAT FREQUENTLY CALL ABROAD USING WHATSAPP VIDEO OR I-PHONE FACETIME?
Now, about Verizon, they allow you to choose a Country in Latin America for free, where you can call free of charge. So, just in case the call jumps from data to regular calls I'm still ok because regular calls to Brazil are free of charge.
Another T-Mobile puppy speaking nonsense. Can you read? They are not claims, they are facts, they happened to me.
Bertrand wrote:
Well…it happened again! Even if it is not T-Mobile's fault, they should at least send the customer a text telling there will be a charge for international calls, but they don't. Other junk texts they send all the time: evaluation after customer service calls, special promotions, etc. So, after 15 years, I'm dropping T-Mobile for good. And guess what; Verizon, the best company out there, is cheaper now. They pay $800 on your cell phone when you trade it in and they have a program for calls to other Countries, what I'm getting, so they can never charge me for international calls. And even after adding that, still cheaper than T-Mobile. Good bye T-mobile!!!
you should probably do a tad bit of research before making such claims…
https://community.verizon.com/t5/My-Verizon/Fraudulent-Long-Distance-Charges/m-p/1226761
their search list on this subject alone had quite a few more examples..i snagged the first couple..
Well…it happened again! Even if it is not T-Mobile's fault, they should at least send the customer a text telling there will be a charge for international calls, but they don't. Other junk texts they send all the time: evaluation after customer service calls, special promotions, etc. So, after 15 years, I'm dropping T-Mobile for good. And guess what; Verizon, the best company out there, is cheaper now. They pay $800 on your cell phone when you trade it in and they have a program for calls to other Countries, what I'm getting, so they can never charge me for international calls. And even after adding that, still cheaper than T-Mobile. Good bye T-mobile!!!
Again what can T-Mobile do? There are regulations, and laws stopping T-Mobile doing what you ask. Also T-Mobile has no control on the OS and software you are using to do anything. If you want those FCC regulations and laws from around the world give me a few weeks and I can probably do about 30-40 with actual references for you. It would actually make me giggle you switch and sometime after that switch you get charged because Whatsapp code is trash and people should have already moved away from them long before Meta bought them.
IF you actually THINK about it and not be so emotional about it… Different carriers, Different regions, Different devices. Only thing in common… Whatsapp and software. Signal is a far better alternative and is encrypted end to end. Not to mention their code is open source AND if a problem of bad code happens to where someone gets charged it'll get fixed a lot quicker. Just food for thought.
Bro, you look upset; you work for T-Mobile …maybe? I did not screen shot the whole conversation, I just did with the relevant part for this issue. Anybody can google about this and find the whole discussion online, plus other events of people complaining about being wrongly charged by T-Mobile. It is still not clear why T-Mobile does not recognize the problem and openly talks about it on its website, offering a solution for every customer to avoid this type of charge. On my side I have my Plan package ready through a different company. One more wrong charge to my bill, even a single dollar, and I'm out, 15 years of loyalty will be thrown into a trash can. I'm no longer answering you. You can easily google the subject and find details about this repetitive issue online. Good bye!!!
for the reddit guy… Numbers don't add up and dates don't add up either. The first 2 only has times and no dates. Also all 3 doesn't show a charge of any kind and they may have not been charged at all for actual Facetime and making an actual call at a later time. Yes people do be doing stuff like that…
I read some getting charged were in fact roaming… They were in the in the US, BUT they were near the boarder and connected to a tower that wasn't in the USA. This Actually happens a lot at the boarder states near the boarders of Mexico and Canada. They would get charged for international data without knowing it. This is why if you are near an international boarder it's best to turn off roaming. I am a sys admin for a company that we travel a lot. I can tell you 100% Facetime packets which Apple flags do not go over voice lines or wifi-calling. If it did I could see that too. Skype I can see only packets as well. Whatsapp from time to time would piggyback the stock dialer and at times fails to hand off. When other apps start doing that we will move them for our employees to use them. Another Tidbit no pun intended if carriers were going to charge for Facetime Apple will just remove the option. Saudi Arabia for example you can't use it. It's easy to see when it's used by how Apple flags packets.
Also explain how is T-Mobile supposed to warn people when they have no control of software of the devices or the software you are using? You want them to intercept the call? As I said it's against FCC regulation since the late 90's to do so unless it's a collect call type of thing. So why don't you give some feedback that doesn't violate various copyrights as well as Federal Regulations?
Just because a company eats the cost of a softwares mishaps doesn't mean they were in the wrong and should fix that apps mishaps. Whatsapp needs to stop hijacking the dialer. I never tried using Facebook messenger call stuff I just outright banned it on our network because Whatsapp and Facebook are synonymous and call data is primo $$$.Oh! So the problem is WhatsApp and it does not happen with similar apps, wright? Nope, it's wrong. It happens with Apple FaceTime also. Look at the complaints, see the attachments. And if this problem really happens because of the apps, what I doubt, WHY DON'T T-MOIBLE ADVERTISE A SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE AND STOP CHARGING CUSTOMERS THAT FREQUENTLY CALL ABROAD USING WHATSAPP VIDEO OR I-PHONE FACETIME?
It's how Whatsapp sets up their app. Carriers around the world are not singling out just whatsapp. Notice it doesn't happen with Signal, Vonage, Skype, Duo, or similar apps? They have no problem with cellular on or off and no charges. Whatsapp code has always been trash especially since Meta took over. If signal is weak it will drop the call instead of handing off unlike Whatsapp which will do just that without batting an eye. Just food for thought it has to be coded in that way.
