How to turn off roaming for European trip? - Vibrant Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm going to Europe in 2 weeks with my TMobile Samsung Vibrant. How do I ensure that my phone won't connect to networks over there, thus racking up a huge bill. I still want to be able to use wifi

I believe there is a setting in the network section (exact name escapes me, and I don't have my Vibrant handy at the moment) to not roam, which would do what you want. However, why not just remove the SIM card if all you want to use is WiFi? That way, you can be assured that it will not be able to rack up any charges. Can probably still make emergency calls though.
On another note, if you did want to use it there without too much expense, you could probably unlock your phone easily if it isn't already and buy a pre-paid SIM for whatever market you are visiting. That is, of course, if you do not already have plans to use another phone and just want to bring your Vibrant along because it is so sexy.

Ed Zachary - just remove the SIM.
-bZj
via XDAapp

Phone off (airplane mode)
What if you switch off your radio with AIRPLANE MODE option. It cuts off everything. You will still be able to use WiFi.
Why do you need to have only GPRS OFF in roaming?. what about GSM ? You still have to pay for calls in roaming, right?
Or i`m missing something.

System Settings
Wireless and Network
Mobile Networks
Network Operators

Q-Bert* said:
System Settings
Wireless and Network
Mobile Networks
Network Operators
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! that's what I was looking for.

down8 said:
Ed Zachary - just remove the SIM.
-bZj
via XDAapp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. So, to be clear, if I take my SIM card out, my G2x becomes just like a wifi tablet (like a Galaxy tab ect)? Tmo has no way of tracking what I'm doing or charging me for any of it?

Related

Using an LG Thrive with a AT&T NON-Data plan

Is this possible? In a perfect world I could go to Best Buy, grab a GoPhone LG Thrive, pop my wifes non data family plan sim in there, somehow block 3g, and she could keep her current plan untouched and use WiFi for the occasionaly internet usage.
Thoughts?
I don't remember the settings in stock 2.2 Froyo, but on the CM7 roms there are widgets to set data 2G, 2G/3G, 3G and on/off. You can probably download an app that'll do that.
I'm pretty sure that will block the data, but my fear is that as soon as AT&T recognizes the model number on the phone they will add a data plan to the account.
Froyo 2.2 including LG Thrive has Data ON/OFF switch, so don't bother using the phone without data plan. You can also delete the APN settings, so the phone cannot use data even the latter is enabled. It sounds very wierd the operator to activate a data plan without your permission.
kopchev said:
Froyo 2.2 including LG Thrive has Data ON/OFF switch, so don't bother using the phone without data plan. You can also delete the APN settings, so the phone cannot use data even the latter is enabled. It sounds very wierd the operator to activate a data plan without your permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, wifi wont work either?
thewillb said:
So, wifi wont work either?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wi-Fi will work. Wi-Fi has a separate switch. There is a switch that turns on/off only the 3G/EDGE/GPRS data.
kopchev said:
Wi-Fi will work. Wi-Fi has a separate switch. There is a switch that turns on/off only the 3G/EDGE/GPRS data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool, but I just hope it's not like the iphone in that they require a data plan to even pop you sim card in it.
1st review on amazon seems to confirm my fear... "Be aware AT&T will make you buy a data plan for $5 per month for 10 MB, even if you never use it because it's a smart phone. "
I read that LG Thrive goes with a prepaid plan, so you buy the phone and don't use the new sim...and you can insert your wife's sim.
thewillb said:
cool, but I just hope it's not like the iphone in that they require a data plan to even pop you sim card in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I vaguely recall reading about this new "feature". Happened around the time the new iThing came out. Reading around a little, it seems that more recent contracts have clauses that let them do this.
Some posts mentioned that BEFORE you use the smartphone, to call ATT and place a data-block on the account. Seems to have worked for some.
So has anyone successfully purchased a LG Thrive, popped an AT&T post-paid SIM in and use it without a data plan?
You may want to consider buying an Optimus T, unlocking it and using it with ATT. Both are GSM. You'll then have access to all the dev here and not be bound to ATTs draconian crap.
Sent from my LG-P509 using Tapatalk
secretasianman said:
So has anyone successfully purchased a LG Thrive, popped an AT&T post-paid SIM in and use it without a data plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it can be used without a dataplan if you use your own sim card. I bought one for my daughter and since I was at the end of my billing cycle I decide to wait until the new billing cycle to add the data plan, she was using the phone without problems for over a week, and was able to use wife for data. One thing is that when you call ATT to add the Data Plan you need to give a different IMIE cuz once they try to add the IMEI of the GO phone the system will say the phone can not provisioned with premium Data plans. What I did was just to gave her my Captivate IMEI since it was never registered with ATT.

T-mobile / Orange Roaming

Hi all,
I'm on t-mobile in the uk and on my previous phone (htc hero) I was able to flick automatically to Orange's signal when I had poor t-mobile signal. When this would happen the phone would let me know I was roaming.
However, on my new Galaxy S2 it never seems to change to Orange's signal and my phone is never roaming. This has resulted in me having worse reception on my new phone over my old hero.
Has anyone else experienced this and if so is their something I can do to fix it?
I'm using the standard unrooted rom.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Mine would never do this either.
Go to the mobile network settings and MANUALLY connect to Orange.
Then wait for it to connect and then go back in and choose Automatic.
This fixed it for me my phone now roams.
Did you take out a new contract for your phone? Maybe you need to activate the network sharing again from the tmobile website.
IakobosJ said:
Mine would never do this either.
Go to the mobile network settings and MANUALLY connect to Orange.
Then wait for it to connect and then go back in and choose Automatic.
This fixed it for me my phone now roams.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, just tried this but still no joy. Interestingly when I manually connect to "T-Mobile Orange" instead of just "T-Mobile" and then check the roaming status, it still says "Not roaming" - shouldn't it say "Roaming" when I'm on Orange?
Joey2o11 said:
Did you take out a new contract for your phone? Maybe you need to activate the network sharing again from the tmobile website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I called T-Mobile a couple of weeks ago to check to see if anything needed setup on my account and she said that it was all good to go. I think T-Mobile have removed the ability to opt-in to network sharing as I can't find it anywhere, I think it's automatically enabled for all new accounts.
It's driving me mad as I feel like I'm missing out on something and I can't see any way to fix it :-(
ok i just manually switched to orange and it says i'm not roaming. That's what i'd expect to see as both networks are considered 'home' networks. Maybe you just haven't been in an area with no tmobile coverage??
I had to send a text to T-Mobile (1221 I think) to use the Orange network when I had the HTC HD2. It switched seamlessly when I went out of a T-Mobile signal area.
When I upgraded my phone to the SGSII, there was still no problem switching networks. Admittedly I used the same SIM card, so that might be the switch-over went so smooth.
fred_up said:
I had to send a text to T-Mobile (1221 I think) to use the Orange network when I had the HTC HD2. It switched seamlessly when I went out of a T-Mobile signal area.
When I upgraded my phone to the SGSII, there was still no problem switching networks. Admittedly I used the same SIM card, so that might be the switch-over went so smooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i remember having to send a text to opt in to the network sharing, though as the OP has pointed out i believe it's automatic now for new contracts.
Thanks all. I've realised that it's simply that my old Hero used to show a roaming icon but the gs2 doesn't. It still flicks automatically from tmobile to orange.
I wish I spotted that before using up your valuable time!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

[Q] Question about Unlocked SIM

Ok so over spring break I'm going to be going away, specifically, the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and I went before and ran up like a $100 or something on data charges and texting.. But now my SIM card is unlocked as per the guide with the app off the market, so will I still get charged for roaming data, voice and sms? I just want to find out if anyone knows if I still need to go to AT&T and get it worked out there or what?, I'm just not sure exactly how this works.
thanks
If roaming charge not being applied then international rate will do
Or you can use the local network in Bahamas, hope they have GSM there.
androidobsessed said:
Ok so over spring break I'm going to be going away, specifically, the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and I went before and ran up like a $100 or something on data charges and texting.. But now my SIM card is unlocked as per the guide with the app off the market, so will I still get charged for roaming data, voice and sms? I just want to find out if anyone knows if I still need to go to AT&T and get it worked out there or what?, I'm just not sure exactly how this works.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you have to unlock your sim and use a sim card from the local network that they have there (and if you used their network before, it should be compatible anyways)
votinh said:
If roaming charge not being applied then international rate will do
Or you can use the local network in Bahamas, hope they have GSM there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the OP has used their device there previously then I'd say they support GSM.
Just make sure your phone has been unlocked and buy a SIM from a local carrier there and you should be good to go to use their network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
I'm not concerned with compatability with the network, Im mostly just wondering about data charges, Im guessing I'll just have to either plan it out at the store or deal with international charges whatever that's gonna be
You can get the international packages from at&t for a month (its prorated, so if you pay for a week, you only get 1/3 of the whole month), just don't forget to cancel it after you're done. It depends on how much data you use... and 50mb is not alot, I would rather just face the overage charges and try to use as little as you can (use wifi alot or something).
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affordable-world-packages.jsp#data
problem is im pretty sure at a hotel like this its gonna be like 30 dollars a day for wifi haha
androidobsessed said:
problem is im pretty sure at a hotel like this its gonna be like 30 dollars a day for wifi haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just grab a local Sim and use their data network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
twiggums said:
Just grab a local Sim and use their data network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea how I could get my hands on a local Sim?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Go to your destination resort, ask them what mobile phone companies they use there. Or go to a gas station @ your destination & maybe they will sale prepaid mobile phone cards there.
androidobsessed said:
Any idea how I could get my hands on a local Sim?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just about every airport I've been through lately has a kiosk for the local cell phone company. Easiest to grab one there.
Yeah, to clarify you sim card is not unlocked, your phone is sim unlocked. Meaning you can use other carriers sim cards. Even if you unlock, if you have the att sim in while international, you are still roaming, and att will bill you. You should remove your att sim before you depart the us, then look for local Sims upon arrival. As others mentioned make sure the local sim includes data. Also note your phone number will change, and you may need to add the international prefix to text and call people in the us. I would set up a textfree + skype account or similar and use that while traveling for texting or calling, that way you can use your contacts as-is and it uses data vs texting. You can send someone a text via textfree to tell them to hop on Skype, and video call over data or wifi.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
androidobsessed said:
I'm not concerned with compatability with the network, Im mostly just wondering about data charges, Im guessing I'll just have to either plan it out at the store or deal with international charges whatever that's gonna be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your data charges will be for whatever network you buy a SIM for, look at that carrier's pricing.
SIM-Unlocking an AT&T phone and then continuing to use an AT&T SIM changes *nothing*.

[Q] Can the AT&T Note used in Japan (if the phone is unlocked?)

As the subject stated: I am planning to unlock my AT&T Galaxy Note to use it in Japan, but not sure if the Note will work there. I just want to be able to make calls and do light browsing at 3G speed (not 4G LTE)
Japan have 3G GSM network, so it should be, But want to confirm before I spent the $$$ unlocking my AT&T Note.
it has the proper frequencies for cellular use on 3g idont know about hspa+ so prbly dataspeeds around 2-5 mbps
drksilenc said:
it has the proper frequencies for cellular use on 3g idont know about hspa+ so prbly dataspeeds around 2-5 mbps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information!
What kind of prepaid SIM are you going to use in Japan? I couldn't find any SIM that has prepaid voice and data together. So I'm planning to use b-mobile 1GB data plan with fusion IP phone SMART. That way, I can send/receive phone call and use data.
Did you have any luck? I can't get the bmobile sim to work with this phone. Urgent help needed. I suspect it takes some special config or different radio but I don't know. The bmobile instructions alone don't work.
Look up APN for bmobile. Just my 2 cents.
decimater said:
Look up APN for bmobile. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had all the correct settings. I suspect the card did not work with Android 4.12. I have seen references online to rolling back to 4.11 for possibly unrelated or possibly related issues. They would not refund, so I had to do a charge-back on the card. Never trust a company who fails to stand behind a product when it completely fails to work. I ended up paying the higher price for AT&T which worked well except don't trust their wifi app - it tries to connect to partners who aren't partners, which disrupts the otherwise working mobile data connection.
Well, that really sucks, man. I guess your best shot would be to try and find another carrier that is GSM if the roll back to 4.1.1 doesnt work. Best of luck.

HTC Desire X Using home WiFi only (UK)

I cannot see a forum for this phone so I hope this is the correct place.
I've never used a smartphone before & googling this question gets me lots of Americans talking about being hunted down by Verizon for not using their data package. As I'm in the UK most of what they are talking about is irrelevant to my situation.
I would be buying a SimFree phone to use with my trusty old virgin PAYG sim card. It has no data plan. I want to use my sim card for calls but use my router via the Desire X's WiFi at home for the internet like I do with my Nexus 7.
Is this possible? How? Thanks.
PS. Mention US 'carriers' especially Verizon & I will chop you up & feed you to the badgers!
Love
Mrs Hedgehog
Rock-&-Roll-Hedgehog said:
I cannot see a forum for this phone so I hope this is the correct place.
I've never used a smartphone before & googling this question gets me lots of Americans talking about being hunted down by Verizon for not using their data package. As I'm in the UK most of what they are talking about is irrelevant to my situation.
I would be buying a SimFree phone to use with my trusty old virgin PAYG sim card. It has no data plan. I want to use my sim card for calls but use my router via the Desire X's WiFi at home for the internet like I do with my Nexus 7.
Is this possible? How? Thanks.
PS. Mention US 'carriers' especially Verizon & I will chop you up & feed you to the badgers!
Love
Mrs Hedgehog
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is entirely possible. Just buy the phone, put your SIM-card in it and disable "Mobile Data". When you first turn the phone on though, make sure that you are at home so you can connect to the wireless network for the Google set-up stuff. Beyond that you can use the phone as a phone when you are out-and-about and as a smart-phone when you are within range of a wireless network.
SimonTS said:
Yes it is entirely possible. Just buy the phone, put your SIM-card in it and disable "Mobile Data". When you first turn the phone on though, make sure that you are at home so you can connect to the wireless network for the Google set-up stuff. Beyond that you can use the phone as a phone when you are out-and-about and as a smart-phone when you are within range of a wireless network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly apologies for not getting back to this straight away I've been offline.
Secondly thank you very much for that. That is exactly the information I needed. I was really worried it wasn't possible. Thanks for taking the time to respond. :good:
.

Categories

Resources