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iPhone-NOT for foreign use!
- Thread starter Business Bob
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I wonder if / when it will ever happen. E-mail has happily persisted without charges so far, although there're constantly threats to change that. The sea change that's almost completely eliminated long distance charges in the US as cell phones became popular happened relatively quickly and unexpectedly. SMS and MMS cost (Americans at least) a few cents more for international, although more to the point they may not be included in bundle plans.
It would be nice for some smaller steps to happen... it can be a nuisance living in border states, for instance, when you can call Texas or Hawaii for free from Michigan but you cannot call Ontario without a charge.
It IS appropriate for international use. It uses GSM that works well around the world. Of course, using it abroad is expensive, since roaming costs a lot of money. But anyone with at least two working brain-cells is aware of that, right?
And you found this out just now? Did you REALLY assume that using the phone abroad does not cost one dime extra???
"A fool and his money will soon be parted"
Maybe they just assumed that everyone knows that roaming is expensive?
What next? Warning people that "the sun will rise tomorrow morning!"? Well thank you Captain Obvious!
On a side note, this reminds me of how in some cities in the US, when calling between area codes within the same city is a long distance call. Go figure.
I guess the Telco's need to make money. Just wish there was an easier/simplier way for those of us who roam the world.
I know, I need to quit dreaming...zzzzz
What drives me crazy tangentially is that, when you dial a cell phone, you put in ten digits and the call just works. When you dial a landline, you have to futz with whether you dial seven digits, or eight, or nine, or ten, or eleven (with the 1).
It's absurdly complicated. At least in places where there's ten digit landline calling, I think there're basically only 1-2 options (either dial the number with a leading "1" or without).Then I move from Detroit with its 5+ area codes to North Central Florida, where one area code covers a fairly large geography....
First Phone with Data Plan
For some of us this is our 1st phone with a Data Plan. We have always understood that phone calls while roaming cost extra and would assume that the Data Plan would also cost extra as well. However, with phone calls it is much easier to calculate your cost. But for Data Usage it is much harder. That is why most people only use the "Unlimited" Data Plan.
My point is, that the iPhone has no way to only use the phone for phone calls and not for data. I just went on a cruise to Mexico and while I was gone I just removed my SIM Card (just in case I wanted to use WiFi on the ship which I did not). If I left my SIM Card in and then turned my phone on it would immediately start using EDGE (if available) and start downloading email. Of course removing the SIM turned off my ability to make and receive phone calls. For me this is pretty crazy. I should be able to use my phone for phone calls but turn off the data part.
For some of us this is our 1st phone with a Data Plan. We have always understood that phone calls while roaming cost extra and would assume that the Data Plan would also cost extra as well. However, with phone calls it is much easier to calculate your cost. But for Data Usage it is much harder. That is why most people only use the "Unlimited" Data Plan.
My point is, that the iPhone has no way to only use the phone for phone calls and not for data. I just went on a cruise to Mexico and while I was gone I just removed my SIM Card (just in case I wanted to use WiFi on the ship which I did not). If I left my SIM Card in and then turned my phone on it would immediately start using EDGE (if available) and start downloading email. Of course removing the SIM turned off my ability to make and receive phone calls. For me this is pretty crazy. I should be able to use my phone for phone calls but turn off the data part.
easy guys...
He just wanted to tell you what happened to him while traveling. We dont need to crucify him for that. I thought this was a friendly community.
Anyways... Have a great day guys!
He just wanted to tell you what happened to him while traveling. We dont need to crucify him for that.
I thought this was a friendly community.Anyways... Have a great day guys!
This is standard procedure, use some common sense and this wouldnt have happened to you.
Now 16 hours phone talk with ones wife is really shocking
Well I guess you haven't been married for 25 years like mePeople that post this stuff must never travel internationally. Its like that with every phone, every plan that I know of. On business this year I traveled to Canada, Taiwan and Japan using my Cingular 8525. The bill was $400 or so but my company picked it up since it was business use. I used my laptop w/data to talk with my GF/family in the evenings.
Missing The Point?
I think we are missing the point here. We could debate the "unlimited data plan" desciptions till we are blue in the face.
The MAJOR problems is there is no "switch" on the iPhone to tell it not to use roaming data services. They are going to have to fix this. As it is right now, anyone that took an iPhone out of the country would be charged with roaming data- wether you used the data services of the phone or not. The iPhone is sending and recieving data all the time and even if you were a "smart international traveler" you would still have this problem.
I had a sidekick before my iPhone and the setting was there and I have seen this setting on other smart phones. Until this is fixed- I would not take and power up a iPhone outside of this country as you WILL be charged for data...
And by the way- BlackBerry phones have a international unlimited data option. So I don't know why the iPhone can't have one.
I think we are missing the point here. We could debate the "unlimited data plan" desciptions till we are blue in the face.
The MAJOR problems is there is no "switch" on the iPhone to tell it not to use roaming data services. They are going to have to fix this. As it is right now, anyone that took an iPhone out of the country would be charged with roaming data- wether you used the data services of the phone or not. The iPhone is sending and recieving data all the time and even if you were a "smart international traveler" you would still have this problem.
I had a sidekick before my iPhone and the setting was there and I have seen this setting on other smart phones. Until this is fixed- I would not take and power up a iPhone outside of this country as you WILL be charged for data...
And by the way- BlackBerry phones have a international unlimited data option. So I don't know why the iPhone can't have one.
^^^^^ Agree, everyone needs to fill out this form and say that Apple needs to have a wireless only option.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
In my case, I knew there would be roaming when visiting the UK, so I turned off my e-mail account, and basically left the phone off the entire time. We made 1 phone call and sent 5 text messages. Data usage was .1 mb, so I guess that will be $2. Still waiting on my bill.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
In my case, I knew there would be roaming when visiting the UK, so I turned off my e-mail account, and basically left the phone off the entire time. We made 1 phone call and sent 5 text messages. Data usage was .1 mb, so I guess that will be $2. Still waiting on my bill.
Yep, they need a switch because even if you are not actively using the edge connection, the IPhone seems to be checking voicemail and other things via edge on its own while roaming.
I'm sorry but you would have to be an idiot to think that roaming and data use in a foreign country would be anything but very expensive on any phone. It's got nothing to do with apple, the iphone, or AT&T. It's got everything to do with having a brain. You said yourself you were checking email and using the internet. That's not passive data use coming from the phone. That's YOU using the phone.
There is passive data going to the phone all the time! That is the point- you don't have to use the data parts of the phone to run up the bill.
I thought I saw on one of the hacking sites that when they got the phone on another network, there was a way to turn EDGE data on or off. In other words, if Apple doesn't fix this soon, I do believe the iPhone community will fix it on their own with an app. This can be costly for some that need to travel with the iPhone for other reasons. If we are to believe that it is this "can't live without" device, then this needs to be addressed.
And one last note. Living on the Mexico border in San Diego, I really have to question taking an iPhone into Mex. I flip the SIM into my POS motorola, and off I go, viva Mexico. I think I learned the roaming thing years ago. Don't answer the phone unless it's really, really important. (like Mom)
And one last note. Living on the Mexico border in San Diego, I really have to question taking an iPhone into Mex. I flip the SIM into my POS motorola, and off I go, viva Mexico. I think I learned the roaming thing years ago. Don't answer the phone unless it's really, really important. (like Mom)
Wasteland this thread.
It is obviously some iPhone hater here to troll the forums.
No one can be that stupid to think the unlimited roaming and data extended outside the US.
It is obviously some iPhone hater here to troll the forums.
No one can be that stupid to think the unlimited roaming and data extended outside the US.
So here's a question...
I was in China for a few weeks, and while I kind of knew this whole issue, i had my iPhone on the whole time (although without having activated international roaming, I couldn't use it). I mainly used it as my clock, alarm clock, camera, calendar, etc. What I did do was turn on Airplane mode, assuming that since that kills all transmission, I shouldn't get billed for any of that. Does this sound reasonable to everyone?
I was in China for a few weeks, and while I kind of knew this whole issue, i had my iPhone on the whole time (although without having activated international roaming, I couldn't use it). I mainly used it as my clock, alarm clock, camera, calendar, etc. What I did do was turn on Airplane mode, assuming that since that kills all transmission, I shouldn't get billed for any of that. Does this sound reasonable to everyone?
You should be fine.
I was just in Canada, and all I did was put my SIM card into my old POS Motorola phone. The iPhone worked great on the wi-fi networks I found, and it came in very handy when my return flight was delayed for over 4 hours.
If you leave the phone in airplane mode.. you should be fine. Is this acceptable solution? no way! When I'm out of the country- I want to be able to receive calls and send text messages. I think its also crazy to expect people to carry a additonal cell phone with the iPhone when they travel.