Forum Discussion

tirebiter's avatar
tirebiter
Roaming Rookie
Hace 3 años

Unlimited free calls on 15GB/30 Days International Data Pass and Wi-Fi Calling

I was told by a retail sales rep at a T-Mobile retail store today that unlimited free calls to/from/within Simple Global countries on International Data Pass only works on Wi-Fi Calling and that without Wi-Fi calling the charges for each call is $.25/minute (Magenta plan). This does not seem right as this would mean locals calls made within a Simple Global country would result in an international call originating from the U.S. Instead of being a free call, I believe, this would result in a $3.00/minute call.

Do we really need to turn on Wi-Fi Calling while on International Data Pass?

I am planning a trip to Japan and don't want any surprise billing when I return from the trip. Would appreciate any comment from people that have used this service.

  • WiFi calling is thru data line, not voice line. So it should be totally free (this depends on your plan too, if you have unlimited calling within the U.S.)

    I was traveling and working remotely around the globe for last 10 years (Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives...etc) Never receive any charge on Wifi Calling. There is one time I was on the phone for over 4 hours!

    But be aware that iPhone sometimes dropped out from Wifi Calling connection. There were couple times before I try to make the call, I noticed my U.S. number's signal didn't say 'T-mobile Wifi Calling' at the end. I had to turn off/on Wifi connection on the phone and wait till it registered the Wifi Calling.

  • tirebiter's avatar
    tirebiter
    Roaming Rookie

    The terms on International Roaming clearly states there is an exception for the $.25/min rule for Wi-Fi calls to US, Mexico and Canada so, I believe, they are wrong. And I know I did not get charged for Wi-Fi calls to/from the US while I was in Japan.

  • Nalogirl's avatar
    Nalogirl
    Roaming Rookie

    Thank you! I will keep you posted once my billing cycle ends in 10 days! By the way, they offered me 15G 30 days international plan for my son. Does this mean with this plan,  he can call Japanese local number for free? That's the plan you got, correct? 

  • tirebiter's avatar
    tirebiter
    Roaming Rookie

    Yes, with 15GB International Pass, all calls (incoming/outgoing) to/from countries within Simple Global International countries, which includes Japan, will be free.  In addition, you get high-speed internet access to 15GB of data.

     

  • LyleM's avatar
    LyleM
    Network Novice

    My wife is on a Caribbean cruise and I'm getting charged for calls even though I bought a data pass plan. Customer support has been useless to date and the three reps I've spoken to don't seem to have a clue about the service or how to fix it.

  • tirebiter's avatar
    tirebiter
    Roaming Rookie

    International Data Pass only works within T-Mobile's 210+ Simple Global Countries. So unless the calls are coming in through one of the Simple Global countries (see list of countries https://www.t-mobile.com/support/coverage/international-roaming-services), you will be charged at international roaming rate.

    T-Mobile has a site where you can check for Cruise coverage (https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans/cruises). If the cruise liner is covered under your T-Mobile Plan, it will show the appropriate rates for text, data and phone calls. Hope this helps.

  • wowotoe's avatar
    wowotoe
    Roaming Rookie

    WiFi calling is thru data line, not voice line. So it should be totally free (this depends on your plan too, if you have unlimited calling within the U.S.)

    I was traveling and working remotely around the globe for last 10 years (Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives...etc) Never receive any charge on Wifi Calling. There is one time I was on the phone for over 4 hours!

    But be aware that iPhone sometimes dropped out from Wifi Calling connection. There were couple times before I try to make the call, I noticed my U.S. number's signal didn't say 'T-mobile Wifi Calling' at the end. I had to turn off/on Wifi connection on the phone and wait till it registered the Wifi Calling.

  • wowotoe's avatar
    wowotoe
    Roaming Rookie
    lei_feng wrote:

    I used 15GB global pass in Japan and it's works very well. The problem I had was that there is not a way that I can check how much data I have used, until I got a text message from T-Mobile saying I had used up 80% of the 15Gb, but it was within 13 days! I tried to save the usage but still used up all within 20 days. Then the most frustrating thing, even I decided to purchase a new 15 GB global pass, it won't help because T-Mobile only waits until your 30 days expires before activating a new pass! I am still looking for a solution,  now I can only use low speed data, calls are free ubtil the end of 30days.

     

    You can check your international data pass usage if you logged in to your TMobile account thru the website and go to Usage section. Select the number (if you have multiple lines) and Data. This is how I checked my usage before. This is one of the reasons I prefer Tmo Data Pass over local SIM. For example, some local prepaid SIMs claim they have 5GB/day. But there is really no way to check on those local SIM if they truly provided 5GB. And once the quota is used up, your data connection is cutoff. (Can you live without internet while traveling?) Tmo still provides lower speed if you reached the limit.

     

    Also, if you purchase a new one before 30 days, the new one will kick in immediately. I've done it before while in Japan. Here is the disclosure when you try to purchase the Data Pass Add-On:

     

    Si usas todos tus datos de alta velocidad y compras un NUEVO pase antes del vencimiento del primero, el segundo pase comenzará de inmediato. Tu pase original y sus beneficios restantes caducarán cuando actives el nuevo pase.

  • Houston1's avatar
    Houston1
    Network Novice

    Purchased a data pass for 1 month with 15 GB high speed data. Within 5 days  the App said I have used 3.5 GB of 15 GB data and in next 2 days it said I used up all my 15 GB data?? Not sure why this much data was used up so quickly. Did not do anything different? Upon talking to rep I was told it could be because the apps on background were still running and eating up the data and I need to clear the cache every time I use an App on my iPhone. Can someone explain me any other reason? Gracias. 

  • wowotoe wrote:

    WiFi calling is thru data line, not voice line. So it should be totally free (this depends on your plan too, if you have unlimited calling within the U.S.)

    I was traveling and working remotely around the globe for last 10 years (Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives...etc) Never receive any charge on Wifi Calling. There is one time I was on the phone for over 4 hours!

    But be aware that iPhone sometimes dropped out from Wifi Calling connection. There were couple times before I try to make the call, I noticed my U.S. number's signal didn't say 'T-mobile Wifi Calling' at the end. I had to turn off/on Wifi connection on the phone and wait till it registered the Wifi Calling.

    We have unlimited data, call and text plan and being charged for calls made to my next door neighbor with us at the rate of One dollar per minute/per call so so..  Called the representative and she said these are legitimate charges and the only way is to add state wide ban on the account which would cost 15 dollar per month per line and even then there is no guarantee that all the calls made through whatsapp to whatsapp will not charged.   She said if you started the call on wifi and move over to t-mobile data you will start being charged because T-mobile is providing the continuity.  They only solution representative provided was to stop calling from the lines which are generating charges.  Even the international Calling is banned is charged 93 dollars for a call.   All this appears wrong and there should be some class action suit taken again T-mobile.

  • JADAMSHK's avatar
    JADAMSHK
    Network Novice

    I'm currently traveling in Thailand.   I have the Int'l plan.   I've traveled here many times in the last 20 years.   Just in the last year, I've had problems where my phone will not connect to local networks.  I can't connect automatically or manually.   I am only able to use my phone when I have a wifi signal.   I noticed that occasionally, I can use Google maps, but can never use any messaging apps without wifi.

    What is happening??   I can’t get a straight answer out of Tmobile, and I don’ thave the patience to sit on hold for an hour to talk to somebody who will tell me it’s the local service and not Tmobile.

    F***ing fed up!!!!