T-Mobile Bait Switch & Lies

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Paul L

You can get a US phone number on a service like Skye, then use the Skype app to call the numbers you want.

Do the people I'm calling need to be using the skype app? Can my US number be transferred over?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by sv Grateful

Bummer! I wonder what caused this.

FWIW, we've been roaming non-stop with T-Mobe for the past two years in the Caribbean and Europe with no problem except for the generally slow data.

I made it to month #5. We do have a work-around figured out for next season if I keep the T-Mobile service, but I'd need to suspend my number for one month or exchange phones with my wife a couple of times so the phone spends more time in the US.

[weavis]

I have the worldwide SKYPE phone. I pay about £130 a year including a regular phone number. TO all intents and purposes, its a landline. Calling is charge free to me including to cell phones in the US.

I can use on ANY computer or phone ANYWHERE via SKYPE. If someone wants to call me, it is at local rates. I live in Spain an have a Spanish cell phone at $12 a month with 2.4 gig. I use in restaurants and places with free wifi and its enough for me. I also use at home on the regular wifi.

I save about $3K a year.

Call quality is dependent on the Internet. Generally 95% of conversations are crystal clear.

Recommended. I have had for 9 years.

[Kenomac]

We've had some trouble with Skype working properly on our iPhones, what type of mobile are you using with your skype phone? Is a skype phone number something I can purchase in the US? Can a US landline be transferred over to skype?

I found most of these answers on the skype phone home page.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We've had some trouble with Skype working properly on our iPhones, what type of mobile are you using with your skype phone? Is a skype phone number something I can purchase in the US? Can a US landline be transferred over to skype?

I found most of these answers on the skype phone home page.

Everything is purchased from SKYPE.
I use Android.
No transfered number..

[RMazuera]

Try the Magicjack option. You get a US number that you can use anywhere you have data.

[Kenomac]

I used magicjack six years ago when we first spent the summer in europe. Does it still require the use of a computer with a usb? We now use iPhones and iPads which were not compatible at the time.

Looking into magicjack today, so far it looks good because it allows me to transfer my US number and make unlimited free calls to the US.

Thanks

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I'm being cancelled by this devious company after four months here in the Med and repeatedly being reasured by many T-Molbile reps that this wouldn't happen. What did I get for my additional $25 per month in international service charges.... absolutely NOTHING but extremely slow data service 278kbps. Being cancelled for excessive roaming even though I've only been roaming on the T-Mobile (Telekom) network. Lying thieves.... don't fall for it.

I doubt you have only been roaming on the T-Mobile network. Unless you've spend all your time in Croatia.

But even then, T-Mobile US is a different company than T-Mobile Europe. So when you use your phone here T-Mobile US gets charged by the operator for your usage here, which is why this rule that you are only supposed to use roaming "occasionally" exists.

Roaming charges have disappeared in Europe now. So you could get a EU sim. But here again there exist fair use rules that mean that the operators can punish you if you use the phone mostly outside your "home" country.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by K_V_B

I doubt you have only been roaming on the T-Mobile network. Unless you've spend all your time in Croatia.

But even then, T-Mobile US is a different company than T-Mobile Europe. So when you use your phone here T-Mobile US gets charged by the operator for your usage here, which is why this rule that you are only supposed to use roaming "occasionally" exists.

Roaming charges have disappeared in Europe now. So you could get a EU sim. But here again there exist fair use rules that mean that the operators can punish you if you use the phone mostly outside your "home" country.

All but two weeks spent in Croatia and Montenegro on the Telekom network. T-Mobile knew of my plans to live in Europe for six consecutive months up front and several of their representatives recommended their International plan to me.

[sailingunity]

I found T-Mobile to be so horrifyingly slow on data in the Bahamas that I used a local SIM anyway. Switching cards out back and forth was a pain.

[Tx J]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

I found T-Mobile to be so horrifyingly slow on data in the Bahamas that I used a local SIM anyway. Switching cards out back and forth was a pain.

Y'all should get some unlocked, GSM, dual-SIM phones (I've even seen a triple-SIM one, may even be some quads).
These phones can be found at very inexpensive prices compared to tho$e price-inflated iPhone and Samsungs, etc. Sure, they might not have every bell-and-whistle the fancy ones have, but do you really need some of that stuff for 4-15 times the cost?
I paid ~$140 for my current one and it does almost everything the others do (at $600+), what it doesn't I don't miss; and it even has an easily replaceable battery.
Cell phones, smartphones, tablets, like much else, are a 'commodity item' now. If you just have to drive a Merc or Ferrari, well, have at it, enjoy.

One differentiation on dual-multi-SIM phones to watch for:
Some of them will allow simultaneous operation of each SIM line. With some others, you can only switch between one active SIM, while the other is 'standby only' or quiescent. The "switching" is done with a menu option, no need to fool around physically swapping SIMs.
The data/wifi/hotspot is pretty much using just one SIM, I think.
Read the specs and, maybe, the manual before buying.
Whether this SIMs-active or switched around option is important to you depends on your own usage and need.