4 ms·
No international roaming (or crazy prices) is one of the big downsides of MVNOs. And no, I'm not interested in buying a local sim card. Roaming is quite afforda
by lbwtaylor 3y ago
No international roaming (or crazy prices) is one of the big downsides of MVNOs. And no, I'm not interested in buying a local sim card. Roaming is quite affordable these days with the big three and the hassle is not worth it for me.
If you don't need that, I think trying some MVNOs make sense.
Another item is hotspot - typically MVNOs upsell that into a higher tier plan, although presumably not all of them.
That said, if aren't willing to bounce around, prepay months, etc... and are careful about buying new phones on decent promotions, I think the big three are not nearly as much more expensive as the article suggests.
EDIT: I should say, I do have to make phone calls with my existing number, and can't always use wifi or app calling, so I am more inclined to use roaming. I guess for many esim apps work well.
- starik36 3y agoYou don't really have to get a physical one anymore. I got an eSim from Airalo in several different countries and they worked great. The only downside is that u can't do iMessage from your actual number.
- kristofferR 3y agoIf you're traveling international you should just use an esim app instead.
- HelloMcFly 3y agoGoogle Fi has provides service internationally at no extra charge, and I've never had any issues using it as a hotspot.
- maxioatic 3y agoWhat do you mean by roaming here? Assuming it's data, the big 3 are not affordable in my opinion. Version and AT&T each charge $10 per day for international data, and T-Mobile's cheapest plan with international data is $90/month.
- lbwtaylor 3y agoT-mobile has free low speed data, reasonable calling/text rates and a $35 10-day 5GB pass and $50 30-day 15 GB passes. Works for me to avoid the hassle of local sims.
- walterbell 3y ago> do have to make phone calls with my existing number, and can't always use wifi or app calling, so I am more inclined to use roaming. I guess for many esim apps work well. Your existing number can be routed via a 2nd/data eSIM via "Wi-Fi calling", for voice and text.
- solardev 3y agoWait, what, how does that work? I don't think the phone treats a second cellular connection as wifi calling for the first sim, does it?
- walterbell 3y agoIt worked on iPhone SE3 with iOS 16, don't know about other configurations.
- solardev 3y agoWhoa, that's really cool. I didn't know that was possible. Thanks!
- lbwtaylor 3y agoInteresting thanks, I'll try that next trip.
- solardev 3y agoFi has phenomenal international data and text (free on the unlimited plan), and cheap calls. That's the primary reason I chose it. I think they basically piggyback off T-mobile's international partnerships.