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Best options for international calling?

Hey guys, I'm leaving to study abroad in a few days. I'll be gone until January and I was wondering what my cheapest options are for making phone calls/sms both in my host country and home.
I currently have a myTouch 3G that I'm taking with me. I also have Skype on my laptop with unlimited calls to US/Canada. Is there any way to make skype calls using my phone?
Any other options?

Abroad, always look for a hotspot to connect to internet with your smartphone via wifi...then you can place calls with a sip provider like voipbuster, justvoip, etc. threw programs like fring or Nimbuzz.
Make sure to disable 3g, 2g, etc when abroad to avoid extra roaming kosts

Google Voice

Call t mobile and get your unlock code and get cell coverage there from a local provider. preferably pree paid so you don't go way over your budget with calling the stats.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

These are the changes that Tmobile made to the phone

By going through the manual & comparing it to the EU version I've compiled a list of things tmous has changed on the phone. (in case anyone was interested)
Removed:
Quick Lookup - ability to select something & choose lookup through Google, Wikipedia, etc
Show Me app
Ebook reader completely missing even though HTC widget is still there
Voice Recorder
Voice Dialer
Dock settings
Locations
The Device Setup on first boot is missing things
Added:
Wifi calling (Tmobile's UMA feature)
I wonder why Tmobile removed all of these?
Here is a Voice Recorder app in the market that someone recommended since ours is missing:
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.tokasiki.android.voicerecorder

Did they keep Locations? And the quick look up thing is actually useful...dumb.

aNYthing24 said:
Did they keep Locations? And the quick look up thing is actually useful...dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, really dumb move by T-Mobile . Anyone know how to add quick lookup?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

voice recorder is in there I'm sure,I'm sure I seen it

voice recorder is not in there...ive searched for it..theres a widget for it but when you click it it doesnt do anything..

aNYthing24 said:
Did they keep Locations? And the quick look up thing is actually useful...dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems to be missing too. updated post.

Man why the **** is it 3 years since using a HTC Touch and they are still locking in bull**** accuweather with no zipcode search or cities that aren't major?
Ran into the voicerecorder bs.
Is there anyway to add any of those features back in or are they hard built into the rom?

Added:
[LIST said:
[*]Wifi calling
[/LIST]
I wonder why Tmobile removed all of these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "wifi calling"? is it calling via wifi using SIP provider?
If so, we do have it on our Vodafone UK branded units.
If it's something else, please explain.

well I guess it's good I havn't waited for the 4G to come and pre-ordered the British version.. just one thing, the WiFi Calling looks good.. (first time with Android and HTC xD) is there any way to get it in the UK Sensation Z710e ?

paulmor said:
What do you mean by "wifi calling"? is it calling via wifi using SIP provider?
If so, we do have it on our Vodafone UK branded units.
If it's something else, please explain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is a pretty cool system. When you're at home (or on a WiFi network that doesn't do much filtering), phone calls, SMS, and MMS inbound or outbound route through WiFi instead of the cellular network. I've noticed this has the benefit of improving battery life while on WiFi, as it turns off the WCDMA (3G/4G) radio. It actually seems like it might turn off the cellular radio completely, I'll have to check when I get home.
The one downside is that if you are on the phone and walk away from your WiFi network, it will drop the call. It can't hand off.
I'm not sure if this is common in Europe, but in the states, many wireless carriers offer femtocell units that users can install in their home if they have bad reception. WiFi calling eliminates the need for that.

Wifi calling will notify you of a mms but it will not download the message. At least that's my experience with the G2x.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

TheBigSaxon said:
Wifi calling will notify you of a mms but it will not download the message. At least that's my experience with the G2x.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah sorry was just going off what I've been told regarding MMS. I actually don't use SMS or MMS, I use google voice for "SMS" purposes and don't have any use for MMS (if someone wants to send me a photo they just email it).

I have an unbranded phone from HK but also have Show Me and Locations. (Maybe the other stuff too - didn't check).

_kansei_ said:
I've noticed this has the benefit of improving battery life while on WiFi, as it turns off the WCDMA (3G/4G) radio. It actually seems like it might turn off the cellular radio completely, I'll have to check when I get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it shuts off the radio as well. My buddy had it turned on by accident & was freaking out because he was on wifi & showed no signal bars.

_kansei_ said:
T-Mobile is a pretty cool system. When you're at home (or on a WiFi network that doesn't do much filtering), phone calls, SMS, and MMS inbound or outbound route through WiFi instead of the cellular network. I've noticed this has the benefit of improving battery life while on WiFi, as it turns off the WCDMA (3G/4G) radio. It actually seems like it might turn off the cellular radio completely, I'll have to check when I get home.
The one downside is that if you are on the phone and walk away from your WiFi network, it will drop the call. It can't hand off.
I'm not sure if this is common in Europe, but in the states, many wireless carriers offer femtocell units that users can install in their home if they have bad reception. WiFi calling eliminates the need for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A similar feature to the TMOUS "wifi calling" is offered in the UK by BT Mobile. They call it BT Fusion.
Fem2cell is available here from Vodafone, known as Sure Signal

Subscribed in case someone posts the APKs to port over these missing features

quailallstar said:
Subscribed in case someone posts the APKs to port over these missing features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call, I'm gonna need wifi calling at the very least before I'll hop over to an alternate ROM (who am I kidding I'm sure I won't be able to resist). The my account app is handy but it's in the market anyway (there was an update a day or two ago).

When you say Dock Settings is there a separate App/Icon for the EU version or are the settings completely gone from withing the Settings Menu?

setzer715 said:
When you say Dock Settings is there a separate App/Icon for the EU version or are the settings completely gone from withing the Settings Menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in the settings menu & is gone from the US version

Guys, try installing these apk's for loacations . Not sure about last 2, try firs 2 at first, and then add last two if needed. Not sure if it will work, but worth a try

[Q] Any interest in a 3rd Party GAN/UMA Service for Android?

Hello XDA-developers,
I have developed my own GAN/UMA Gateway that runs in the cloud, similar to T-Mobile's WiFi Calling and Orange's Signal Boost.
With this service you can point your GAN/UMA Client to my Gateway and I will pass the calls to and from an external SIP Provider. You no longer have to be with Orange-UK or T-Mo -US to get UMA Service!
At the moment my network is not connected to the SS7 network so unfortunately you can't just simply roam onto it. However I do have a way to register existing SIMs with my HLR. Currently this means taking the SIM out of the phone and connecting it to a PC via a SIM Card Reader. I'm very interested in talking to anyone who could make this run as an App on the phone.
Once the SIM is registered in my HLR and the UMA App is told to go to my Gateway (there's a secret menu to do this) then the phone will register and Location Update on my network.
When it is on my network, it is no longer reachable from the Operator's network, again because I can't get access to the SS7 network. I'm very very interested in talking to anyone who thinks they know how I can access SS7. I have the SS7 stack, and the skills but not the access.
Anyway for now, I can assign a UK national number to the SIM so it's reachable via the PSTN. The MSISDN number can be call-forwarded to the PSTN number (not a great solution, but OK for now).
The cost of making calls will be whatever the SIP Provider charges. (Currently I use sipgate.co.uk) I plan on just charging a low fixed monthly fee to cover the costs of providing the access.
What do you guys think? Is this something that people are interested in? I realize without a roaming service it's no better than a Skype/VoIP type service but potentially it could be a very good service if I can get the SS7 side sorted out, it's an alternative to roaming when abroad and provide better coverage at home for many people.
All comments are welcome, thanks for reading.
AlanE

umm yes please!
too bad so many people passed over this thread. what if there were actually some decent data-only plans...

Would I be interested? Hell yes.
I'm currently using a Galaxy S2 on Orange with their Signal Boost app and I was crushed to hear that Orange are not offering UMA on the S3. There's no point in me having an expensive phone that I can't use at home (or most places near home). Third Party UMA would be a small miracle for me.

Interested
Hi Alan,
We are interested in talking to you about this. Can we PM?

How do you activate wi-fi calling?

Does anyone know how to activate wi-fi calling on the Z5? I figured it'd be a menu setting, but I can't find it. I'm using the Taiwan version of the Compact and am using MetroPCS here in the States.
Thanks.

To answer my own question. It appears that wi-fi calling is only available with some carrier phones. So for instance, EE in England says on their setup page,
"WiFi Calling is only available on the EE version of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, bought directly from us in one of our stores, online at EE.co.uk, through our telesales team, or through corporate sales if you are a corporate customer."
So, I guess my question now is, is there a way to flash the phone so that I can get this feature on my non-EE phone? My carrier, MetroPCS, does allow wi-fi calling, but they don't sell the Z5 (and likely won't ever sell it).

You can try flashing the EE ROM with flashtool and see if you have that option. You will get carrier specific bloatware as well.

Would I be able to delete the bloatware? And I'm new to Android. When I flash, does it delete all of my settings and downloads and whatnot? I'm assuming I can back them up someplace in case it does, but like I say, I'm new to this. Also, where would I get the EE Rom from?

Look for Xperifirm. Download and install. You can get the firmware there. Next download flashtool version 0.9.19.10. You can bundle the firmware files into a ftf and flash, both with flashtool. Read the respective guides. To keep data, look at options when flashing and choose not to wipe user data. I would type it up but the instructions are on XDA, just search.

Neither WiFi calling or VoLTE will not work on the Sony Z5 unless your carrier/network offers the Sony Z5 for sale directly.
Note, WiFi Calling and VoLTE are two separate features but similar network functions on the operators side.
Note, MetroPCS is a sub-brand of the T-Mobile USA network so Metro is pretty much TMo USA.
Since T-Mobile USA does not offer the Z5 you will not be able to get WiFi calling working. In order for WiFi Calling or VoLTE to be supported the network operator must customize the ROM to include the WiFi calling and/or VoLTE network configurations. Unlike the typical SIM card and APN settings which are industry standard and can be adjusted manually. WiFi calling and VoLTE are somewhat more complex and include carrier/network specific security certificates to work. Apple can get away with supporting WiFi calling and VoLTE simply by swapping SIMs because the T-Mobile configs are loaded into their core iOS software which goes out to everyone around the world. (Probaly one of the reasons the iOS eats up so much storage...but i digress) Android runs much leaner and does not carry all the extra configs for all global networks...hence a carrier (i.e. T-Mo US) tweaked version of the Z5 ROM would be required for this all to work.
If T-Mobile USA offers the Z5 in the future you may be able to unlock the boot-loader and flash the T-Mobile specific ROM onto your phone and get WiFi Calling and VoLTE to work. But if T-Mo USA never offers the Z5 then you will never have WiFi calling supported.
Hope that helps....
WiFi calling and VoLTE are pretty much the same thing...just VoIP. And in most operators case WiFi Calling and VoLTE are the same back end network call processing systems. VoLTE is easier for the operator to secure as the customer is using the operators LTE and IP network. WiFi calling is seen on fewer operators as it requires more security since you can access the operators network from any public or private IP network.
---------- Post added at 10:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 PM ----------
and in theory you could extract the WiFi calling stack form the EE network's Z5 ROM and load it into a custom ROM. That would give you the software capability to support WiFi calling....But you will still need the T-Mobile USA WiFi calling fqdn for the WiFi border controller and their security certificates which are typically specific to a handset model. And again since TMo does not offer the Z5 there are no Z5 certificates.

Ah, well that sucks.

Yeah I feel ya, I love WiFi calling too

Some network providers have their own apps to allow it. Like in the UK, O2 network has an app called TU go

All hope isn't lost - Android M is supposed to have a provision for wifi calling. I've read posts of people with Nexus 6's on M (google play editions, so no carrier specific models) that have been able to use wifi calling. The current loss of band 12 (hoping this will change too) as well as the loss of wifi calling as a fallback has been the only drawback to this otherwise excellent handset. I absolutely love the thing. It just works, no fuss.

I know this isn't helpful, especially for those outside of the US, but this is why I ported my number to google voice a long time ago. VOIP works great over Wifi for me most of the time and when I have LTE reception, I can still use Voip albeit with increased data consumption.

shizenyasuya said:
I know this isn't helpful, especially for those outside of the US, but this is why I ported my number to google voice a long time ago. VOIP works great over Wifi for me most of the time and when I have LTE reception, I can still use Voip albeit with increased data consumption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?

Adrift98 said:
Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's a bit of a pain in the ar$3. I install google voice and hangouts on any phone/tablet I get, Google voice is necessary to route all outgoing calls through GV so that my GV number shows up on my call partner's caller ID. (even though you can dial directly from the native phone dialer) I install Hangouts to manage sms and google talk (now just google hangouts but specified to avoid... or contribute to, (as the case may be) confusion) messages. You can also dial directly from Google Hangouts (this is the only option when you're only using Wifi, without cellular signal) So my thought flow kinda goes like this.
To make a call:
1)check for cell signal, if there is signal, use the native dialer to place a call
2) if there is only WiFi, use hangouts (or hangouts dialer) to place a call
Receiving calls: (If you need help I can tell you the specific settings)
1)when the phone rings, determine if it's ringing via Hangouts or the native phone app
2) check for cellular signal and wifi signal
3) if cell signal is 2g only, only answer with the native phone app (sometimes hangouts will ring first) and I have to wait for the native phone app to realize there is a call coming in (forwarded of course to my cellular provider number from GV)
4)if connected to WiFi, or I have LTE coverage (sometimes even on 3g) pick up the hangouts ring.
Sometimes I do miss calls because I'm waiting for the native phone app to ring when I'm on 2g, but hangouts rings first and the native phone app doesn't ring, but those instances are fairly infrequent and I can just call them back.
---------- Post added at 04:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 AM ----------
Adrift98 said:
Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, sorry I've never used Talkatone, so I don't know if it works any differently. You don't have to have google voice installed to make / receive wifi calls via hangouts. you just have to have opted in to hangouts on your google voice account. The ONLY reason I still install GV is to make sure that when I make outgoing calls from the native phone app, my GV number shows up on the recipient's caller ID. They should really just bake this into hangouts and completely depreciate the GV app.

You could port the t-mobile wifi calling apps from the z3. I ported wifi calling to my att g2 from the t-mobile rom. It's not really that hard if you know how to read logcats

Many retail mobiles have "Wifi Calling" function but not any menu entry to enable , The APP can check the hidden function and enable it if can use.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.widget7.wifi.calling

WiFi Calling on Mate 9 - Is it really there?

In the English USER manual for the Mate 9, there is a section under CALL SETTINGS that tells you how to Enable VoWi-Fi. They actually use this wording in the directions " Touch SETTINGS > Wi-Fi calling"
WiFi calling options are NOT present in the call settings menu for my Mate 9 (6GB/128 GB Model MHA-AL00 / Build Number: MHA-AL00 C00B137). I have the 2 SIM version sold by a HK seller on eBay.
My questions...
Is the manual is describing something different from the WiFi Calling from T Mobile that I'm very familiar with?
I use T Mobile as my USA carrier and have a T Mobile phone that does Wi Fi calling very nicely.
I put the same T Mobile SIM in my Mate 9...but the WiFi calling options STILL don't appear.
Is the Mate 9 really compatible with WiFi calling? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.

onepiece said:
In the English USER manual for the Mate 9, there is a section under CALL SETTINGS that tells you how to Enable VoWi-Fi. They actually use this wording in the directions " Touch SETTINGS > Wi-Fi calling"
WiFi calling options are NOT present in the call settings menu for my Mate 9 (6GB/128 GB Model MHA-AL00 / Build Number: MHA-AL00 C00B137). I have the 2 SIM version sold by a HK seller on eBay.
My questions...
Is the manual is describing something different from the WiFi Calling from T Mobile that I'm very familiar with?
I use T Mobile as my USA carrier and have a T Mobile phone that does Wi Fi calling very nicely.
I put the same T Mobile SIM in my Mate 9...but the WiFi calling options STILL don't appear.
Is the Mate 9 really compatible with WiFi calling? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone supports wifi calling but it's not a universal standard so each carrier does it differently (as far as I know). So it's probably not supported with US carriers, especially when it's not even released there.
I believe the phone might need a software update specifically to support it for T-Mobile. I think most carriers don't support VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling, so that might be why it has no option out of the box but a regional firmware update should enable it.

Being compatible doesn't mean it will just work. It means it will work if the network supports it.
T-Mobile will make sure that the phones it sells for its network will have the right software. An imported phone won't have that software and if you are unlucky it might not be directly upgradeable.
This is one reason why it's always a bit of a risk to import phones from another region.

WiFi Calling ...a few potentially useful tid bits...
Thank you to all! I'm pretty sure each carrier will keep the process as "proprietary" as humanly possible for obviou$ reason$.
Here is a tid bit I learned from Apple support on the topic of WiFi calling. As you may know, Apple 6S onwards support WiFi Calling. I was curious about how carriers 'support' WiFi calling on an unbranded / unlocked WiFi capable iPhone.
Here's the punch line from Apples...
If you use WiFi Calling on say T Mo..and then you want to pop in an AT&T SIM card....get this....you MUST do a factory re-set to enable WiFi calling with the newly placed SIM... Can you believe that? I change SIMS like underwear! Doing a factory reset for WiFi calling is impractical for me...

Does anyone know of any further progress on wifi calling from T-Mobile for this phone? Please share.

Well I have been able to make calls through the Google Hangouts dialer on WiFi, but doesn't seem to work to receive calls. Not sure how well it would work if I tried to port my number over to Google Voice, looked this morning said it would cost me $20 to do it.
But I'm likely returning my phone, not being able to get calls at home because the service in my building is poor... Pretty depressing because the phone is badass.

Google voice is not wifi calling as a feature set from either the phone manufacturer nor T-Mobile.
Wifi calling is when your mobile provider can service a connection over wifi, regardless of there being a cell signal or not. It treats your number as PSTN over wifi. Over it's (provider) servers.
Google voice is not wifi calling.
But I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

ravennyc said:
Google voice is not wifi calling as a feature set from either the phone manufacturer nor T-Mobile.
Wifi calling is when your mobile provider can service a connection over wifi, regardless of there being a cell signal or not. It treats your number as PSTN over wifi. Over it's (provider) servers.
Google voice is not wifi calling.
But I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google voice is wifi calling if you have a gv number lol

"Wi-Fi Calling is the conventional name for a technology that allows cellular packets from your phone to be transferred to your carrier over the internet, and injected back into the cellular network as if they'd been beamed over the air.
Unlike services like Google Hangouts and Skype, which let you talk to other people using call forwarding or an internet-based interface, Wi-Fi Calling lets you use your actual carrier phone number over the internet. Wi-Fi Calling is also distinct from VoIP technology, which lets you use an internet-connected phone exactly as you would a landline. VoIP transfers your voice over the internet to the switched telephone network, whereas Wi-Fi Calling connects your voice to your mobile carrier's network using the internet instead of cell towers."
So, it's not wifi calling as highlighted as a feature by mobile manufacturers and thus offered/utilized by mobile providers as a result.
This thread is specifically for the above mentioned capability. It would be best to not dilute the discussion with alternate options via additional apps. It would be misleading and misdirecting fellow readers.

The USA version does.
We have to wait for a USA firmware upgrade becomes available and update to that. If you have no interest in using funkyhuawe8, then probably sol unless they include in international ROM at some point.
Which k doubt because it would be included already.

intruda119 said:
The USA version does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USA version does what? Are you saying it supports WiFi calling? I don't see the option on my USA version.

dscline said:
The USA version does what? Are you saying it supports WiFi calling? I don't see the option on my USA version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive seen wifi calling listed on usa version of the phone. Few other little things thats not available on my international l29
What firmware are you on?

intruda119 said:
What firmware are you on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
b138 We have VoLTE in our firmware, but I've not seen any evidence of VoWiFi.

intruda119 said:
Ive seen wifi calling listed on usa version of the phone. Few other little things thats not available on my international l29
What firmware are you on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you see wifi calling on the US version? I have one and can't find it.

It was around USA release. Not that important to me. Sure search will pull up something.
Edit.
It was volte I was thinking about. Until they release a update with wifi calling , Hangouts is the workaround

intruda119 said:
It was around USA release. Not that important to me. Sure search will pull up something.
Edit.
It was volte I was thinking about. Until they release a update with wifi calling , Hangouts is the workaround
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From everything I've seen the carriers have to approve devices for them to be able to utilize WiFi calling. It's one of the downfalls of having an unlocked device in the US as it's highly unlikely that a carrier will approve it.

That's correct, the while the firmware from Mate 9 supports it, there would likely be carrier/provider specifications that requires to be enabled. Huawei clearly does not have the green light from TMO for this else it would have been available.
This is the same reason, a TMO specific phone will have wifi calling, where as its international counterpart wound have it...
---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 PM ----------
So using funkyhuawe8 will enable carrier (TMO) wifi calling?
Is this working for anyone on a L29 international version?

Thank you intruda119.
Any way you could shed some light on what exactly needs to be done using FunkyHuawe8 to enable wifi-calling please.

ravennyc said:
Thank you intruda119.
Any way you could shed some light on what exactly needs to be done using FunkyHuawe8 to enable wifi-calling please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does this have wifi calling on T-Mobile or not ?

No.