Five Phone Calls, Five Countries
Aug 6th, 2015, 12:47 PM
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Five Phone Calls, Five Countries
HI there!
Going for our second time to Europe. We are staying in vacation rental apartments, and the apartment owners would like us to call them on the day of arrival to pinpoint exact time to meet us. Other than that, we like to disconnect (meaning no phone calls home usually). We will have my Android smartphone, I'll put it in airplane mode like I did our first visit to Europe, and only use free wifi (included in most apartment rentals).
Last year, we only had to use the phone a couple of times, so once I used a public phone in the train station (ha! what a joke! Cost me $20 US and the other person could not hear me!). We also purchased a sim card in Venice and could not get it to complete a call to the airlines (operator stupidity?).
What are your best suggestions?
I could download Skype, but from my research it looks like you must have the premium plan for use in Europe and there's still a per minute fee.
Should I buy five sim cards? Keep in mind, I'm pretty stupid when it comes to figuring out how they work (and they all seem to be slightly different!)
All help appreciated!
Going for our second time to Europe. We are staying in vacation rental apartments, and the apartment owners would like us to call them on the day of arrival to pinpoint exact time to meet us. Other than that, we like to disconnect (meaning no phone calls home usually). We will have my Android smartphone, I'll put it in airplane mode like I did our first visit to Europe, and only use free wifi (included in most apartment rentals).
Last year, we only had to use the phone a couple of times, so once I used a public phone in the train station (ha! what a joke! Cost me $20 US and the other person could not hear me!). We also purchased a sim card in Venice and could not get it to complete a call to the airlines (operator stupidity?).
What are your best suggestions?
I could download Skype, but from my research it looks like you must have the premium plan for use in Europe and there's still a per minute fee.
Should I buy five sim cards? Keep in mind, I'm pretty stupid when it comes to figuring out how they work (and they all seem to be slightly different!)
All help appreciated!
Aug 6th, 2015, 01:47 PM
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This kind of posts often lack crucial info to provide relevant recommendation: who is your current carrier and what is the model of the phone?
"IF" we postulate that your phone actually works in Europe, a big "IF", and "IF" your usage model is as described, it would be easiest to just take your phone and use it. "IF" each of your call is less than one minute each, your total cellphone bill would be less than $10 for all five calls. You must know how to 1) enable voice call but 2) disable data roaming = big $$$ if you don't shut off data.
You will be pressed to get even one SIM for less than $10. Also you have to find stores during the business hours, and wait in a queue to be served, and wait while the stores set up your account. And of course, you should have network unlocked phone before leaving home if not already done.
"IF" we postulate that your phone actually works in Europe, a big "IF", and "IF" your usage model is as described, it would be easiest to just take your phone and use it. "IF" each of your call is less than one minute each, your total cellphone bill would be less than $10 for all five calls. You must know how to 1) enable voice call but 2) disable data roaming = big $$$ if you don't shut off data.
You will be pressed to get even one SIM for less than $10. Also you have to find stores during the business hours, and wait in a queue to be served, and wait while the stores set up your account. And of course, you should have network unlocked phone before leaving home if not already done.
Aug 6th, 2015, 01:47 PM
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Well Joan, have you considered switching to T-Mobile and eliminate all your problems? The service is hard to beat when traveling.
If not, simply download WhatsApp and inform the owners you will message them when you arrive.
If not, simply download WhatsApp and inform the owners you will message them when you arrive.
Aug 6th, 2015, 01:59 PM
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Skype or Google Hangouts. If you already have a Google account, Google Hangouts is probably easier, and if you need the occasional free phone call to the states (when on WiFi) it's nice for that. Get a Google Voice number too (also free) if you want people to be able to call you or leave you voicemail while in Europe but it sounds like not.
With either Google or Microsoft (Skype), you'll need to buy some credit - in blocks of $10 USD I think? - to make calls within Europe, even though those calls will cost only a few cents a minute. But as I said, Google Hangouts gives you the advantage of free calls to/from the US. Skype works anywhere and is the same price everywhere to MAKE calls (but the per-minute rate varies by country, maybe even by calling a cell phone vs. calling a landline).
You could also just buy a local SIM card in the first country, but it sounds like you've struggled with that in the past, and the cost could be about the same or even more. You could buy a SIM card in one country and use it in the others (even if roaming, for some occasional calls the pre-paid calling credit you'd get with one SIM in one country should be enough for all of your calls). With that, you wouldn't need to worry about needing to be on WiFi, either.
You may want to learn how to make calls to European phones. It sometimes involves putting a "+" in front of the number, depending where you are and who you are calling. (If you have a French phone and you are calling someone in France, I don't think you need the + - but if you are calling someone in another country, you need the "+").
If you want to try out Google Hangouts or Skype, you can do it before you leave (and buy the credit). So you won't have to struggle once you get to Europe to figure it out. And this would give you the added advantage that you would be able to make calls to anyone in Europe now for only a few cents a minute. If you can make a call from the US to France using your Android phone and Skype or Google Hangouts, you'll be able to make it exactly the same way when you get to France.
With either Google or Microsoft (Skype), you'll need to buy some credit - in blocks of $10 USD I think? - to make calls within Europe, even though those calls will cost only a few cents a minute. But as I said, Google Hangouts gives you the advantage of free calls to/from the US. Skype works anywhere and is the same price everywhere to MAKE calls (but the per-minute rate varies by country, maybe even by calling a cell phone vs. calling a landline).
You could also just buy a local SIM card in the first country, but it sounds like you've struggled with that in the past, and the cost could be about the same or even more. You could buy a SIM card in one country and use it in the others (even if roaming, for some occasional calls the pre-paid calling credit you'd get with one SIM in one country should be enough for all of your calls). With that, you wouldn't need to worry about needing to be on WiFi, either.
You may want to learn how to make calls to European phones. It sometimes involves putting a "+" in front of the number, depending where you are and who you are calling. (If you have a French phone and you are calling someone in France, I don't think you need the + - but if you are calling someone in another country, you need the "+").
If you want to try out Google Hangouts or Skype, you can do it before you leave (and buy the credit). So you won't have to struggle once you get to Europe to figure it out. And this would give you the added advantage that you would be able to make calls to anyone in Europe now for only a few cents a minute. If you can make a call from the US to France using your Android phone and Skype or Google Hangouts, you'll be able to make it exactly the same way when you get to France.
Aug 6th, 2015, 02:04 PM
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T-Mobile simply isn't a good option for everyone, depending on where they live. I only recently dumped T-Mobile after many years - not because service was bad (it was actually quite excellent), but have found much cheaper cell service than the $50/month I was paying for their "Simple Choice" plan. The benefit of being able to use it in some (not all) European countries with their roaming plan when I go to Europe once a year wasn't enough to justify the extra cost.
Aug 6th, 2015, 02:54 PM
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Robert, yes I've considered that but of course my two year commitment is still ongoing, so cannot do that until later in the year.
I have not heard of WhatsApp so I thank you and will check that out.
Greg, I have Sprint and my phone is unlocked, HTC One. Last year I put it on airplane mode and that took care of blocking data and voice roaming. The phone will work in Europe.
Just did an online chat with Sprint and they have a $5 plan (which was only made available this May) which covers four of the five countries, voice only (which is all I wanted). Calls 99 cents per minute, text 50 cents to make, 5 cents to receive. You can activate this for just one month.
Thanks for the help!
I have not heard of WhatsApp so I thank you and will check that out.
Greg, I have Sprint and my phone is unlocked, HTC One. Last year I put it on airplane mode and that took care of blocking data and voice roaming. The phone will work in Europe.
Just did an online chat with Sprint and they have a $5 plan (which was only made available this May) which covers four of the five countries, voice only (which is all I wanted). Calls 99 cents per minute, text 50 cents to make, 5 cents to receive. You can activate this for just one month.
Thanks for the help!
Aug 6th, 2015, 03:31 PM
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Skype can call phone numbers, too, but it's not free - there's a per-minute charge. You can call any phone from Skype even a landline. (You can buy a Skype phone number too, to receive calls from regular phones, but that's something even different and not something you need, sounds like.)
If the other person has a Skype account and is logged in, you can call them for free, no matter what country you are in - but that probably won't help you in calling apartment owners on their phones.
I suggest you try the Google Hangouts approach now, because if you can make it work now, it will work in Europe too:
1. Install Google Hangouts from the Google Play store (free) on your Android phone.
2. Turn on Airplane mode, then turn on WiFi and connect to a WiFi network.
3. Open the Google Hangouts app.
4. Make a call to a US phone number.
Once you get this to work, you can try calling a number in France. Google gives you 10 cents(I think) of credit to start out with - should be enough to make one test call. Random example: try calling a hotel front desk or something - +33 1 58 71 12 34 is the number of the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome where I stayed the last time I was in Paris. Call it early in the morning so you don't call them in the middle of the night there! If you hear the European dial tone you can hang up or wait for someone to answer in French, then just hang up if you want.
Then, you can buy some Google credit and call the same way when you get to France! Remember, put the "+" in front of the number when calling Europe.
(Don't forget to turn off Airplane mode after you have completed your experiment!)
If the other person has a Skype account and is logged in, you can call them for free, no matter what country you are in - but that probably won't help you in calling apartment owners on their phones.
I suggest you try the Google Hangouts approach now, because if you can make it work now, it will work in Europe too:
1. Install Google Hangouts from the Google Play store (free) on your Android phone.
2. Turn on Airplane mode, then turn on WiFi and connect to a WiFi network.
3. Open the Google Hangouts app.
4. Make a call to a US phone number.
Once you get this to work, you can try calling a number in France. Google gives you 10 cents(I think) of credit to start out with - should be enough to make one test call. Random example: try calling a hotel front desk or something - +33 1 58 71 12 34 is the number of the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome where I stayed the last time I was in Paris. Call it early in the morning so you don't call them in the middle of the night there! If you hear the European dial tone you can hang up or wait for someone to answer in French, then just hang up if you want.
Then, you can buy some Google credit and call the same way when you get to France! Remember, put the "+" in front of the number when calling Europe.
(Don't forget to turn off Airplane mode after you have completed your experiment!)
Aug 6th, 2015, 04:48 PM
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WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Hangouts all require an underlining internet connection. If you have turned off the mobile data, you are relying on WiFi.
Are you counting on having a WiFi access at each time you are making calls to the apartment owners?
Are you counting on having a WiFi access at each time you are making calls to the apartment owners?
Aug 6th, 2015, 06:46 PM
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Greg, last trip I turned off the mobile data and used free wifi but this time I have more calls to make, and so I'm weighing the cost of voice and text minutes vs the potential hassle of trying to find wifi upon arrival or earlier in the day.
The Sprint plan sounds cheap, but figuring maybe 8 five minute calls at 99 cents a minute, that's $45 plus. With the wifi Hangouts, I checked and the rates seem much lower, mostly under 10 cents per.
How great does the wifi signal have to be for Hangouts? I intend to use only the audio or text version...The Sprint joke of a plan (the free portion covering only Germany in Europe) had data of 2G, which is pitiful. Is there free wifi in most train stations in Europe?
Thanks again, this has all been very helpful, for others too I imagine.
The Sprint plan sounds cheap, but figuring maybe 8 five minute calls at 99 cents a minute, that's $45 plus. With the wifi Hangouts, I checked and the rates seem much lower, mostly under 10 cents per.
How great does the wifi signal have to be for Hangouts? I intend to use only the audio or text version...The Sprint joke of a plan (the free portion covering only Germany in Europe) had data of 2G, which is pitiful. Is there free wifi in most train stations in Europe?
Thanks again, this has all been very helpful, for others too I imagine.
Aug 6th, 2015, 07:20 PM
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joan: <i>How great does the wifi signal have to be for Hangouts?</i>
Audio calls can work with surprisingly little bandwidth. Remember, all "regular" cell phone calls are digital phone calls; Skype and Google audio calls are pretty much the same thing.
But you will need a decent WiFi connection to make a call with any of these services.
My old phone had WiFi Calling (with T-Mobile), which is basically the same as Google Hangouts and Skype phone calling. I have used it a few times in Europe. I made a fairly long WiFi call from the Amsterdam airport (free WiFi) and never dropped the call and the quality was good - I was kind of surprised, because the WiFi connection didn't seem that great.
But again: you can experiment yourself with this before you get to Europe with your phone. Try using Google Hangouts on WiFi now. (The same quality of WiFi signal is required to make a call across the street as for one made across the country.) Walk further away from your WiFi router and see how well it works while you are on a call. Try it at Starbucks, etc. (Remember: put it in airplane mode, then turn on WiFi, like you will in Europe.) I will say that you may want to get in the habit of NOT walking too much while on a WiFi/Google/Skype call, the way you do while using your cell phone (at least I do). If you make a good call connection with someone on WiFi, stop walking til you are done the call. If you lose a good WiFi connection, you could see the call dropped.
Audio calls can work with surprisingly little bandwidth. Remember, all "regular" cell phone calls are digital phone calls; Skype and Google audio calls are pretty much the same thing.
But you will need a decent WiFi connection to make a call with any of these services.
My old phone had WiFi Calling (with T-Mobile), which is basically the same as Google Hangouts and Skype phone calling. I have used it a few times in Europe. I made a fairly long WiFi call from the Amsterdam airport (free WiFi) and never dropped the call and the quality was good - I was kind of surprised, because the WiFi connection didn't seem that great.
But again: you can experiment yourself with this before you get to Europe with your phone. Try using Google Hangouts on WiFi now. (The same quality of WiFi signal is required to make a call across the street as for one made across the country.) Walk further away from your WiFi router and see how well it works while you are on a call. Try it at Starbucks, etc. (Remember: put it in airplane mode, then turn on WiFi, like you will in Europe.) I will say that you may want to get in the habit of NOT walking too much while on a WiFi/Google/Skype call, the way you do while using your cell phone (at least I do). If you make a good call connection with someone on WiFi, stop walking til you are done the call. If you lose a good WiFi connection, you could see the call dropped.
Aug 6th, 2015, 07:26 PM
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I wouldn't completely give up on the idea of buying a SIM card in Europe, either, if your Android is unlocked. Sounds like that didn't work out so well the last time - but if you buy it at a mobile store, the agent can set it up for you and activate the SIM, if necessary, even show you how to make a local call. That may still be a lot cheaper than the Sprint plan.
Making a call to another country (say France calling Germany) would be the same procedure (type the + then the whole phone number) with a French SIM card as it would be using Google Hangouts with WiFi. Calling France to France would be different (you don't need the + I believe), so ask the agent in that case how to make a local call.
You would probably be able to use the SIM card in other countries, too - or at least, you can inquire about it when you buy it. (Within the EU, anyway, I believe, you'd be able to roam.) For a few phone calls to apartment owners, you should have plenty of pre-paid credit on the SIM card for a few calls in roaming, as roaming call rates are now capped in the EU.
Making a call to another country (say France calling Germany) would be the same procedure (type the + then the whole phone number) with a French SIM card as it would be using Google Hangouts with WiFi. Calling France to France would be different (you don't need the + I believe), so ask the agent in that case how to make a local call.
You would probably be able to use the SIM card in other countries, too - or at least, you can inquire about it when you buy it. (Within the EU, anyway, I believe, you'd be able to roam.) For a few phone calls to apartment owners, you should have plenty of pre-paid credit on the SIM card for a few calls in roaming, as roaming call rates are now capped in the EU.
Aug 6th, 2015, 07:55 PM
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If the site of originating phone call are train stations, your plan hinges on availability of
1) free wifi
2) at stations
3) fast enough during the duration of call to carry on voice over internet conversations.
Free wifi at stations is not given. Larger German station, which does not necessarily mean the station of your interest, offer free WiFi. But it is a chicken or an egg situation. Read how it works: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/se..._station.shtml Note very carefully that your phone must be FUNCTIONAL enough to receive a text message to get that free Wifi access. Also they do not promise any connection speed. If you cannot obtain fast enough connection, you cannot carry on a conversation.
If you cannot make a satisfactory WiFi connection, what is your fall back plan?
The local SIM option, if you still are thinking for your usage model of calling from a station, hinges on
1) availability of a cellphone store near the station
2) that sells prepaid SIMs to those without local address
3) and you arrive there during the business hours
4) that carries the SIM card of correct size (HTC One uses micro-SIM)
1) free wifi
2) at stations
3) fast enough during the duration of call to carry on voice over internet conversations.
Free wifi at stations is not given. Larger German station, which does not necessarily mean the station of your interest, offer free WiFi. But it is a chicken or an egg situation. Read how it works: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/se..._station.shtml Note very carefully that your phone must be FUNCTIONAL enough to receive a text message to get that free Wifi access. Also they do not promise any connection speed. If you cannot obtain fast enough connection, you cannot carry on a conversation.
If you cannot make a satisfactory WiFi connection, what is your fall back plan?
The local SIM option, if you still are thinking for your usage model of calling from a station, hinges on
1) availability of a cellphone store near the station
2) that sells prepaid SIMs to those without local address
3) and you arrive there during the business hours
4) that carries the SIM card of correct size (HTC One uses micro-SIM)
Aug 6th, 2015, 08:01 PM
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And also, not all the SIMs bought in Europe roam to another country. Italian TIM SIMs were usable outside Italy. SIMs I bought in Austria did not roam outside Austria. A SIM from Blau in Germanay did not roam outside Germany, while one from a Lidl store did, but the Lidl SIM had a chicken or an egg situation. It was do-it-yourself activation and needed an internet to activate the SIM. How would you do that while you have not yet checked into your apartment and don't have a WiFi access.
