Using Verizon in Europe
 

I am posting a brief report to save others from wasting money as I did. I just recently traveled to Belgium, Netherlands & France for 3 weeks with my family. I wanted to be sure that we could reach one another and decided to spend the money on Verizon international calling plans to use with our iPhones. All were iPhone 6 and so unlocked. There were 4 of us & we used a combination of packages, depending on individual travel plans. Two were $40/month and purportedly provided 100 free texts and 100 free minutes. One was $85 and supposedly provided 250 free texts and 250 free minutes. One was the "Travel Pass" which was $10/day but only on the days used. Note also that the $10/day travel pass means that if you initiate use on any given day, it costs $10, even if you only make one call.
I researched this both online & in person and was reassured that we would be able to text one another. Bottom line: no matter what settings we used (and even though we completely followed instructions), texting only worked when on wifi. We tried many times, using different phones, different locations, different countries, different settings. No matter. Texts would show up hours later (if at all) only once we were back on wifi. I called Verizon while I was overseas and they were unable to help.
Buyer beware.

I just signed up today for the $40 per. Onth plan. We have used this every year.
I will call them to see what is foing on. Thanks for the head's up.

I used the $10 per day version in August (in the UK) and didn't have that problem

Verizon phones, unlike T-Mobile and AT&T (but like Sprint) use CDMA technology in the US to communicate with cell towers. Europe uses GSM, which T-Mobile and AT&T use in the US, too.

So a Verizon or Sprint phone in Europe must first know it needs to roam on GSM to pick up anything. I have never used an iPhone overseas. My Android phone (a Verizon CDMA phone) will work on GSM but requires some crazy settings to make it work. If you want to use your Verizon phone in Europe, you first need to figure out how to set it to roam on GSM. This varies by the exact model of your phone.

Looks like for an iPhone 6, you need to turn data and voice roaming on:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/supp...international/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201643

Once roaming is on, you should be able to see if you are registered on the local roaming network. When I was in Amsterdam for example, my phone would connect to one of the Dutch mobile networks it was allowed to roam on. If it is not registered on a local mobile network in Europe, you won't be able to text or make voice calls. If you are registered, then it's a Verizon issue.

FYI, your phone does not need to be unlocked to use it in Europe if you are using your carrier's international roaming plan. You need your phone to be unlocked only if you plan to buy another SIM and replace your original SIM with the new SIM.

>>Looks like for an iPhone 6, you need to turn data and voice roaming on:<<

Yep -- that is what I had to do. Turned it on the days I needed it, and turned off on days I only needed wifi.

There are all sorts of reasons problems like the op's might occur and it is very hard to diagnose from a distance. I will say this however. The days of gsm vs. cdma are long past. Almost all modern smart phones use 3rd and 4th generation technologies as well as the old 2g (which is where the difference between gsm and cdma started and one of the reasons for a while verizon and sprint phones )incompatible with European networks. Many today have provisins to insert Europpean sim cards in addition to the naitive technology used in the USA for these phones. Several have pointed out the settings issue. Maybe or maybe not. Another possibility, I am just suggesting not saying this is what happened, is many do not understand how to make calls and send texts when roaming on European networks. Did yur phones register on French networks? If so you would have seen the name of the roaming partner (SFR or Orange F or Bouygss) displayed. Then to actually send a text or make a call to the United States while roaming, you dial 00 (the international code) 1 (the country code fot both the USA and Canada and some Caribean countries) area code number. Or instead of 00, you insert the + sign so + 1 212 555 1212 say for NYC information.

One of the reasons I like T Mobile US for European/minute worldwide calling. But admitedly T Mobile is not for everybody.

When I use my US Android phone with T-Mobile in Europe, it acts like I'm still in the US. So I don't have to dial the US country code to call or text anyone in the US - only to call phones in different countries, even countries I happen to be in while using the phone.

So, no, I don't think you have to dial the US country code on a Verizon phone in Europe to text or call someone else on a US phone. That would make no sense - then none of my saved numbers in my contacts would work, either, without adding the country code.

Andrew...I just checked the T Mobile web site and you are right if you are making the call to the USA over wifi; at least according to what I read Just ares code and number.
and such calls are free.

But if you are not on wifi, according to the article or calling outside the USA, then you need either the 00 or + key then country code area code and number and it costs 20¢/minute. Text messages are free either way.

That's what the thing said.

For those interested I have had the same problem with my IPhone and had to configure it so that my correspondants would get my texts.
And I'm European, so not using Verizon. IPhone config...

We just returned from Europe and used the Verizon $40 plan for each of our phones (Samsung Android) and they worked well everywhere and we did text and call throughout the trip. We were in all three of the countries you mentioned as well as several other countries.

xyz123 is correct in stating that when using a GSM network, any call to North America or any other country, will require one´s first dialing ¨00¨ or ¨+¨ before the country code. However, T-Mobile could easily set up their VoIP networks to include the ¨+¨ function precluding the need for the user to dial it himself. The result would be that the user would feel as though he were <i>still in the US</i> when making calls.

Using a Verizon phone outside of the USA simply means that the phone has the GSM functions or circuitry as well as CDMA. I am not familiar with Verizon phones specifically but those usable on a GSM network with need not only the circuitry, but a GSM SIM as well either built in or changeable. When Andrew states that his Verizon phone <i>will work on GSM but requires some crazy settings to make it work</i>, he is most likely referring to the requirement to configure his phones APNs, needed for GSM network access.

This could be one possible explanation for virginia4´s texting problem; that it was caused by an improperly configured APN; particularly if the texts were never received.

If however, an occasional text was received on the GSM network but only hours after it was sent, I would confirm that all of the Verizon GSM phones used were capable of connecting to both European GSM frequency bands: 900MHz and 1800MHz. If the phones were only capable of using one of these two frequency bands, coverage could be limited and texts would only be sent or received when the user entered into a zone of coverage which would delay the text.

xyz123 is also correct in stating the problems of this type are almost impossible to diagnose or correct on a forum. Perhaps a better solution would be to avoid Verizon completely and purchase a 10€ SIM to insert into an old GSM phone. It would cost less that the Verizon solution, any more importantly, it would work.

I am confused as to why texting, presumably you mean short message service, would only work on WiFi. It has nothing to do with an internet connection.

If however you were textig using an app, then if you didn't buy data with your olan then it wouldn't work unless you had WiFi.

My Dutch provider sends me a SMS text when I cross a border, telling me how much calls/text/data will cost unless I buy a package from them. It does that even if I am in the US. I have never had to go into settings to get it to connect to a US provider - it just connects automatically. I can see in the settings to which local provider I am connected, and I also see if I have a 3g or 4g connection for data, if I have data roaming turned on (which I don't normally).

Oh, and I also always store my contacts with +country code number, even for local contacts I am unlikely to need to call when travelling. It is just good practice if you are planning to travel, and quickly becomes second nature.

<i>I have never had to go into settings to get it to connect to a US provider</i>

That´s because you are using a GSM protocol phone. APN settings are SIM specific and once it is setup, it does not generally need to be changed.

virginia4 is using a CDMA phone with GSM capability. If the GSM protocol (specifically the APNs) was never correctly set up, she would not know it until she moved off the CDMA network and relied solely upon a GSM connection.

Sarastro. Forgive a possibly stupid question, but phones confuse me. How do I properly set up the protocol? I have a Verizon iPhone 6. I don't want to buy a GSM phone even if it's cheaper, too much hassle. And I have know idea how to install a new SIM card (or even what SIM card I should buy).



Mostly want to use my phone for keeping in touch with family and maps.

Related question:

Does one sign up in advance for the $40 a month plan? By calling Verizon?

What about the $10 a day plan? (I used this in Mexico and there was no need to sign up in advance; with the first call, you were charged $5 per day, only on the days you used the phone for calls) Same with European daily plans?

I am not a Verizon customer, primarily because of their reluctance to switch to GSM, the world standard, which T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T all have done. I can only guess at your phone´s capability but I assume your Verizon phone has a SIM installed already.

One of the easiest approaches would be to take out the Verizon SIM and purchase a new one in France. They cost as little as 10€ including talk and data time. You would then configure the APNs for the new phone. Use google to find step by step instructions on how to do this. It´s actually very easy to do, it just consists of a few entries in your phone´s settings configuration. You could also go to an Orange outlet in Paris and let them do it for you but you will pay slightly more for their connections and service but probably overall a lot less than what Verizon is charging you.

If you want to stay with Verizon, contact them, explain the problem, and ask them to help you confirm your phone´s APN settings. (APN is the abbreviation for Access Point Names or the GSM protocol settings for the specific SIM you are using. The APNs identify your phone on the GSM grid.) Most connection problems on GSM networks are caused by improperly configured APNs.

The problems you are having should be easily fixed by someone who knows what to look for. Considering the amount of money you are paying Verizon for international service, they should sent someone to your house to fix it for you.

Oh, I'm not the OP. Haven't had any problems so far. I use my phone in Canada so wasn't really worried about using it overseas until this post. (Except, yes, for the shocking amount of money Verizon charges for the privilege). I could try to use wifi but i know from experience that will just lead to frustration- I mostly use data for maps. Offline and paper maps just result in me getting hopelessly lost!

(Will be in Munich and Venice, not Paris. Paris is still just a dream!)

Ekscrunchy, Sign into your Verizon account and choose
International plan. It will lead you through the steps. There is one for calling from US and the calling within or from another country. Texting is very cheap.
Yes, you need to turn voice and data roaming on. And put phone in
Airplane mode when not using or costs can really rise. Use hotel wifi for internet rather than roaming. Forgot to do that on China trip lady spring. Lesson learned.

We were in Austria and Greece recently, both of us using iPhones 6s.

Mine is AT&. I bought a one-month $35 international plan, and I was fine.

DH's phone is Verizon, through his business. He had been assured his phone would work fine overseas.

Nope. It was awful. He could not text to me, within a mile or so. Sometimes Roaming would work, but his bill was taking a big hit. It was annoying.

Rats, tabernash2. That is what I am afraid of. Verizon rarely knows what they are talking about but I have not found a better company in terms of coverage.

Anyone bought a SIM card online to use overseas? Then I would be all set and would not have to mess around with that once I arrived? But it means I would have a completely different phone number, for my time there, right? I am usually not worried about people being unable to reach me but I'm gone for over a month.

Get a Google Voice phone number before you leave the US, and install Google Hangouts Dialer on your phone. Then you can keep using a (new) US phone number while in Europe even if you get a foreign SIM. (You can enable Hangouts Dialer to ring on incoming calls.) Hangouts Dialer uses the internet for calls but that means it's completely free to call or receive calls to/from the US with it on WiFi. Even good for calling landlines.

Google Voice gives you a completely different US phone number, though, so you will have to give people that number to call. You can put the Google Voice number in your voicemail message on your Verizon cell phone if you want.

marvelousmouse...the sim cards most readily available on ebay are UK sim cards. Although the sim cards themselves when bought in the UK are free, almost every one of the major UK networks have sim cards available for 99p. Shipping varies...I purchased a 3 sim card for 99p with 50p for postage.

They usually come with no value but you can go to the site mobiletopup.co.uk to top up any of the networks for an additional fee of 99p. (Bargains especially with how the UK£ has fallen recently). Thus you can set up a British pay as you go account from anywhere in the world and arrive in Britain up and ready. You'll have to read the various telcom web sites for the various plans and roaming within Euope. 3 seems to have a very good plan for roaming which allows you to use your top ups in most European countries the way you do in Britain (and believe it or not, the USA is included in their feel at home countries) although they have restrictions set up to prevent non residents of Britain from taking complete advantage of their rates. Intra European roaming rates are dropping and one of the British sim cards may be worthwhile looking into for any Europpean vacation even if it doesn't include Britain. And with that mobile top up site I mentioned, the whole thing can be set up before arrival in Europe.

marvelousmouse...the sim cards most readily available on ebay are UK sim cards. Although the sim cards themselves when bought in the UK are free, almost every one of the major UK networks have sim cards available for 99p. Shipping varies...I purchased a 3 sim card for 99p with 50p for postage.

They usually come with no value but you can go to the site mobiletopup.co.uk to top up any of the networks for an additional fee of 99p. (Bargains especially with how the UK£ has fallen recently). Thus you can set up a British pay as you go account from anywhere in the world and arrive in Britain up and ready. You'll have to read the various telcom web sites for the various plans and roaming within Euope. 3 seems to have a very good plan for roaming which allows you to use your top ups in most European countries the way you do in Britain (and believe it or not, the USA is included in their feel at home countries) although they have restrictions set up to prevent non residents of Britain from taking complete advantage of their rates. Intra European roaming rates are dropping and one of the British sim cards may be worthwhile looking into for any Europpean vacation even if it doesn't include Britain. And with that mobile top up site I mentioned, the whole thing can be set up before arrival in Europe.

I had wondered about the uk ones. So I can use those without a uk address and credit card? Because I was under the impression that I needed both to set the account up.

Andrew, is there an app to use, to make voice and text calls using wifi? So no
SIM card would be required, and no new phone number?

It would be limited service, to wifi spots or your hotel. Maybe better than a more complicated plan.

Yes, the app is called "Google Hangouts Dialer." (You may also need to install the "Google Hangouts" app as well.) That lets you call OUT from your phone on Wifi or mobile data, whatever.

If you want to receive calls as well with Hangouts Dialer, you need to sign up for Google Voice with your Google account. This will give you a new phone number - but at least it's a US phone number so people in the US trying to call you don't have to make an international call.

Google Voice requires existing phone service - a cell phone or even a landline - when you sign up for it the first time. It's sort of like a forwarding service but also kind of like Skype (but free to call phones, even landlines, so the other person you're calling doesn't need any Google apps at all.). I used my cell phone for Google Voice. When you call my Google Voice phone number normally, by default it rings my cell number. But if I have Hangouts Dialer on my phone, I can receive calls on that same number without a SIM card - just on WiFi, with Hangouts Dialer.

marvelous mouse...you can register on all the UK networks. However, with the exception of vodafone, to top up you need a creit card with a UK addrss if you do so online on the telco's web site. Vodafone recently began accepting paypal for this which they all should. Why they have this asinine policy for a £10 top up is ridiculous. However, the web site I gave you takes paypal for top ups and emails you the code to enter to top up. You can then browse the telcom's web site to see what bundles you wish to ask. I've read through 3's web site and they seem to have an interesting program called feel at home which allows you to use in selected companies the same policies as in the UK. Their basic pay as you gl plan is 3p/minute for calls, 2p per text and 1p per mb for data. You can also make very cheap international calls by dialing a code in front of the number. All these details are on their web site although I am possibly misinterpreting. You can check it out yourself. UK sin cards require no registration as it stands right now although there are some in the UK who feel terrorists take advantage of this and want to change it. But for the moment, it works.

Thanks, Andrew, I thought there was a simpler way to do it.

What about setting up Wifi Calling on an iPhone:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203032

If you have WiFi calling on your phone and your carrier supports that? Sure. Hangouts Dialer works with mobile data too, though, and I did use it to make free voice calls on a recent trip even when not on WiFI. But if you want to stick to only WiFI calls and your carrier has WiFi calling, go for it. My phone didn't have WiFi calling so wasn't an option for me last time. I was addressing this suggestion to the poster above who was talking about getting a local SIM and a foreign phone number, which would make WiFi calling not an option while that other SIM is installed.

Thanks, Andrew.

<i>which would make WiFi calling not an option while that other SIM is installed.</i>

That is not necessarily true. There are a lot of VoIP providers, many more than just Skype or Google. If a phone has VoIP capability, virtually any provider can be configured to provide service. I typically use www.diamondcard.us but there are many others.

Sarastro: <i>which would make WiFi calling not an option while that other SIM is installed.

That is not necessarily true.</i>

The poster was talking about the mobile service's "WiFi calling" feature (that's the name of the feature - "WiFi Calling") that allows, for example, a T-Mobile user to use his/her phone on WiFi and make/receive calls for free WITH THEIR ORIGINAL PHONE NUMBER, without any other VOIP service.

But you can't use T-Mobile's "WiFi Calling" feature if you remove your T-Mobile SIM. That's all I was saying. I didn't say you can't make calls over WiFi with your original SIM.

Marvelous mouse is not going to be in the UK, so the UK SIM card isn't going to help her. Vodafone UK has a roaming plan for PAYG users for £3 a day, but it's only for calls and texts to UK numbers. It lets you use "Big Bundle" texts and minutes and includes a piddling 100 mb of data. It really would be a waste of money for someone going to Venice and Munich.

Depending on which city you'll be in first, you should get either a German or Italian SIM card with a roaming plan that allows you to use it in other European countries.

I live in Italy and can help if you will be in Venice first. If you'll be in Germany first, Lycamobile might be your best choice, but maybe someone knows of something better.

http://www.lycamobile.de/en/roaming-sim-card

bvlenci...the only reason I brought up UK sims and somebody else asked about them is they are readilly available on ebay for next to nothing, there is no language problem on the websites for English speakers and there will be some intra-eu roaming in the near future that will prove helpful.

As I said, I may be mis-interpreting the current roaming of 3 in the UK. It seems, but I admit I'm not sure, that for a two week period you can bring their 3p-2p-1p payg plan to a variety of countries both winthin and outside the eu inclyding the United States. But as I said, the advantages of the UK sims is they do not require registration and they can be both purchased and set up outside the UK unlike say Italian cards. Now just how advantageous that is resides in the eyes of the beholder. I found it very helpful to me as London was not my first stop on my last trip across the pond.

Xyz, you can't you top up a 3 PAYG SIM card online without a UK credit card.

See the note on this page.

https://www.three.co.uk/Web_top_up

Someone above said that only Vodafone allowed online topup without a UK credit card, using Paypal. I know I was able to do that this summer with a Vodafone Payg card. Everything I said above about roaming applied to Vodafone.

Actually, I see that it was you, xyz,who said only Vodafone allowed topping up online without a UK credit card. So 3's roaming plan would be irrelevant for Mouse's situation.

One problem here is that several people, with different situations, have joined this thread.

Hetismij said <i>
Oh, and I also always store my contacts with +country code number, even for local contacts I am unlikely to need to call when travelling. </i>

I always do that, too, but it didn't work for me in the UK. I had a Vodafone PAYG plan, and when I tried to call people whose UK numbers I had entered in international form, I got a message saying my plan didn't cover that type of call. Every time I wanted to call someone locally, I had to edit the number to remove the +44.

I have all my contacts in Italy entered with +39, and can call them from home or abroad.

bvelenci...you're right. But you missed the post which pointd out there is an internet site, wwwmobiletopup.co.uk where you can absolutely top up all UK networks but with a 99p surcharge and they do accept paypal. Somebody I worked with bought on ebay a 3 sim card for 99p with 50p postage and topped up with £10 on that web site. Worked perfectly. He was quite happy to pay the extra £1.45 for postage, sim card and top up. Signed up on the 3 web site to get one of the bonus offers and when he stepped off the plane at Heathrow, used the card immediately with no problems whatsoever. From my research, it's the only alternative to pre-purchase a functional European sim card on ebay before arrival in the UK or indeed use the eu roaming. And 3, unlike other British telcoms, does not steal your credit for inactivity after 6 months or a year unlike the other British telcoms. As good a plan at TIM might have for visitors, for example, you have to wait till you get to Italy to get the card and have to register it, right?

That still doesn't make it any less ridiculous that the British telcoms insist on a UK address to use a credit card on their websites to top up. But mobileco.uk solves that problems for 99p.

Website should be


www.mobiletopup.co.uk