Using phone out of the country - Verizon HTC One (M8)

I have an HTC One M8 on Verizon, stock.
I'll be on a Caribbean Cruise. I want to be able to use my phone in ports to make calls back to the US.
Not sure what I need to do to make this happen. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC One M8 on Verizon via Tapatalk

michaelp68 said:
I have an HTC One M8 on Verizon, stock.
I'll be on a Caribbean Cruise. I want to be able to use my phone in ports to make calls back to the US.
Not sure what I need to do to make this happen. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC One M8 on Verizon via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same device and travel out of the country frequently. You can use the phone, as-is for calls and texts, but its very expensive. You can also use data, but its extremely expensive. Call Verizon and they can put you on an international plan for the month, which will reduce some of your costs depending on what countries you are visiting. They will also need to enable international data for you, as they block most accounts from this by default.
The better option is to buy a prepaid sim on a local carrier while you're over there. It will save you quite a bit of money, although the downside is you will have a different/international phone number while using that sim.
Your Verizon m8 is simunlocked, so there's no real trouble using an international sim.
--beaups
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

beaups said:
I have the same device and travel out of the country frequently. You can use the phone, as-is for calls and texts, but its very expensive. You can also use data, but its extremely expensive. Call Verizon and they can put you on an international plan for the month, which will reduce some of your costs depending on what countries you are visiting. They will also need to enable international data for you, as they block most accounts from this by default.
The better option is to buy a prepaid sim on a local carrier while you're over there. It will save you quite a bit of money, although the downside is you will have a different/international phone number while using that sim.
Your Verizon m8 is simunlocked, so there's no real trouble using an international sim.
--beaups
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Sent from my HTC One M8 on Verizon via Tapatalk

Just went to B.V.I. I used Mr.SIM card. Worked with data prepaid SIM from a company called lime...the SIM came with instructions and worked great.
---------- Post added at 01:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------
Another option is to used an internet based texting and phone app. Most ports have stores with free internet. I know the cruise WiFi is crazy expensive. The Verizon messaging app worked for WiFi and I used hangouts dialer and paid $10 for international calling. That way I called home for free with WiFi and calls to the country I was in were covered with my 10 dollars. Very cheap way of doing things if you have access to free WiFi

Related

[Q] Going to Europe, best plan for calling texting?

On AT&T going to Ireland then England. Any tricks other than paying att their ridiculous price to have calling/texting while I'm there? Maybe through Google voice? Or does that need data?
Thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
If you're gonna be strictly communicating with people back in the states, then the smart thing is to stay with Google voice via PC. However, if you plan on communicating with people in Europe for an extended period of time, then unlock your phone and go with an EU Virgin Mobile prepaid plan.
I forget how my minutes/texting plan looked like but it was ideal, only 30 Euros per month prepaid, and I was able to pickup service and call all throughout Europe.
Will be contacting with friends and traveling family in europe, and with friends and family back in the states. Last time I went I unlocked my old blackberry and went with a prepaid sim, but I don't feel like it really saved me much money. If people call and text my gvoice number while I'm in Europe, is that free? Do I just have to worry about the local stuff then?
It's two of us that are going so really trying to save where I can.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
my cousin went to portugal last summer and used handcent sms to text all of us back in the states for free, and used his gvoice account to make calls also for free
mjwhirly said:
my cousin went to portugal last summer and used handcent sms to text all of us back in the states for free, and used his gvoice account to make calls also for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Handcent needs data I'm sure which costs a lot more. As for calling AT&T wants 99c a minute. Calling put with Google voice still uses minutes I'm almost certain. So how does that work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Giffgaff
I'd recommend going with Giffgaff:
h**p://giffgaff.com/goodybags/10pound-facebook-goodybag
For 10 pounds/month you get 250 minutes, unlimited texting, and unlimited data. The APN settings are easily found on their website. All prepaid, no contracts. Runs on the O2 network, which is considered [from what I've read] the best in the UK.
Then I would download WhatsApp! from the market and have all your friends do the same. You give them your new Giffgaff number, and you can message all your friends back home for free using the data connection. You could also use google voice for this purpose.
I wish we had options like this in the US. I had an equally inexpensive provider in Germany. Worked great!
Best plan, "borrow" someone else's phone
Sent from Down The Rabbit Hole, using Tapatalk 2.
That looks epic! Will have to unlock my phone first though. Hope they are legitimate I have no idea how they afford those rates.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
I'm sure they're legit.
If you're worried, Tesco (the grocery store chain) also offers a cheap prepaid SIM with roughly the same benefits, for the same price.
Both services use the O2 network, and I know a couple different people that use Tesco, and say it works great.
h**p://shop.tescomobile.com/sim-only
In all honesty, from having used many prepaid providers in many european countries, once you find a provider that works, you're pretty much just shopping around for who has the best refill options. Giffgaff looks like you can top up with a credit card. Tesco might require you to go buy a top-up card at the store. I'm not entirely sure.

Need guidance for taking my HOX to British Columbia next month

My phone is rooted but not unlocked for other carriers. At&t says they can't unlock for me yet.
I will be entering Canada through Abbotsford, BC and then driving to Kelowna, BC for a two week stay.
I want to be able to call and have a decent amount of data buy not burn a hole through my wallet.
What is the best strategy for my phone, this area of Canada, etc?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
sdc177 said:
My phone is rooted but not unlocked for other carriers. At&t says they can't unlock for me yet.
I will be entering Canada through Abbotsford, BC and then driving to Kelowna, BC for a two week stay.
I want to be able to call and have a decent amount of data buy not burn a hole through my wallet.
What is the best strategy for my phone, this area of Canada, etc?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock your phone at eBay or cellunlock.net (i.e sim unlcok)
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
I bought unlock code for my hox here http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNLOCK-CODE...804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccb5d3bf4 for 4 USD
YOu can first if it can be unlocked or not from cellunlocker.net ( they have free checker )
So is it feasible to walk in a Rogers store in Abbotsford as soon as I cross the border and grab a SIM card with prepaid/one month plan and be on my way?
Is Rogers the best carrier for my route/destination? Will I get 4g with them?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I might try Telus or Bell, the west is their home turf.
That's not to say Rogers doesn't cover it well enough just their known locally as Robbers is usually says enough.
WR
Sent from my HTC One X
I don't know about BC, I live in Toronto, but Telus and Bell have the best coverage here. Rogers is horrible and I do not recommend it
If you opt to just use AT&T's roaming features (its nice to keep the same phone number) you can add a number of various voice, text and data packages. They are easy to add online at att.com, and then you can just remove the packages when you get back.
Probably not as cheap as buying a local SIM. But it takes down the costs quite a bit. For instance, you can reduce the cost of data roaming down to 15 or 20 cents per MB, as opposed to $15/MB (per usage fee without any discount plans).
Also, will they have WiFi where you are staying? If so, you may not need to use data very much.
redpoint73 said:
If you opt to just use AT&T's roaming features (its nice to keep the same phone number) you can add a number of various voice, text and data packages. They are easy to add online at att.com, and then you can just remove the packages when you get back.
Probably not as cheap as buying a local SIM. But it takes down the costs quite a bit. For instance, you can reduce the cost of data roaming down to 15 or 20 cents per MB, as opposed to $15/MB (per usage fee without any discount plans).
Also, will they have WiFi where you are staying? If so, you may not need to use data very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Wi-Fi. Called at&t and the best roaming rates and plans were way too expensive.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
sdc177 said:
No Wi-Fi. Called at&t and the best roaming rates and plans were way too expensive.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as advised in earlier post, get it sim unlocked, really worth it when you travel as you can get prepaid sim plus it will improve the resale value of your phone.
So I've got my unlock code from at&t. Do I need to be on any particular ROM? I'm using cleanrom 5 right now. Or do I just switch to a different apn? Will they provide that?
Other that swapping the sim I'm not really sure what else needs to happen.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
sdc177 said:
So I've got my unlock code from at&t. Do I need to be on any particular ROM? I'm using cleanrom 5 right now. Or do I just switch to a different apn? Will they provide that?
Other that swapping the sim I'm not really sure what else needs to happen.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here are APN settings for rogers and telus, if you do a google search you can find bells. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1814914
I live only 5hours away from Kelowna in BC, Cranbrook, I would not recommend going with rogers up here. Telus and Bell are the most reliable and have the most coverage here in BC. I have been with both cell providers in BC and have nothing to complain about either. I am with Telus right now and have been very pleased with them. I am using CleanRom 5 as well right now on my Telus One X and have no issues with it. Just would have to change APNs.

Sprint nexus works on att???

I see that bestbuy only carries the nexus 5 for sprint will it work on att??
SuperMiguel said:
I see that bestbuy only carries the nexus 5 for sprint will it work on att??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Exact same phone, the one at Best Buy just comes with an $100 SIM card.
This is one of the most appealing features of this phone that has so far gone pretty much unrecognized. You can take this single model and jump to most major and prepaid carriers.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy? The listings on Bestbuy.com both say (Sprint) after the name of the phone.
I have the nexus from Sprint and can personally verify it works with a prepaid att straight talk Sim card. FYI the sprint sold phone does not include the Sim tray key.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Can i just walk into bestbuy and buy one? or i actually need a sprint account?
ronwi2 said:
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
SuperMiguel said:
Can i just walk into bestbuy and buy one? or i actually need a sprint account?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you are paying full price, you should be able to get it without a Sprint account. It will of course depend on whether the sales person you deal with decides to be a jerk or not.
uh60james said:
Exact same phone, the one at Best Buy just comes with an $100 SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we don't want the SIM card can we get $100 off?
haha jk, I bought mine at best buy and was able to get them to match the play store.
ktt4510 said:
I have the nexus from Sprint and can personally verify it works with a prepaid att straight talk Sim card. FYI the sprint sold phone does not include the Sim tray key.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
scoliosis said:
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it really was that simple. Just put the Sim card in reboot the phone and your good. I had to change a couple settings in the connections menu to go back to sprint but it was relatively painless
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
scoliosis said:
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a Nexus 5 from Best Buy and I'm an AT&T customer. Yes, the phone will automatically connect to AT&T's network. It took a few minutes to convince the BB employee that the phone would work on AT&T. They also insisted it was store policy that they activate every phone they sell, so I had to pay the $30 activation fee.
ktt4510 said:
Yeah it really was that simple. Just put the Sim card in reboot the phone and your good. I had to change a couple settings in the connections menu to go back to sprint but it was relatively painless
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! If you can detail out the settings you had to change to go back, that would be much appreciated!
I can't remember specifics but I had to change the settings here back to LTE a couple of times. For some reason it wouldn't stick after the first reboot. I can't retest it because my straight talk Sim is not active right now. I can assure you it works relatively easily though.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ronwi2 said:
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy? The listings on Bestbuy.com both say (Sprint) after the name of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because all N5's sold in North America are the same model, with the same frequencies (D820), the only thing that may have to be changed is the APN.
this is not like other Sprint specific devices like the G2 (LS980) vs the AT&T G2 (D800)
AT&T - D800
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS 850/1900/2100
LTE 1900(2)/1700(4)/850(5)/700(17)
Sprint - LS980
GSM 850/1900
CDMA 800/850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
LTE 1900(25)/800(26)/2500(41)
brooksyx said:
If we don't want the SIM card can we get $100 off?
haha jk, I bought mine at best buy and was able to get them to match the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would have been awesome, I don't understand why everybody charges $100 more unless Google really is taking a hit on each one they sell.
Glad you got them to price match, they wouldn't budge for me. Brought them a few receipts where other people did it, brought them the price printed. They just kept telling me it's not the same phone, got to the point where I was just tired of wasting my time with them and didn't want to wait on the Play Store so I just got it at full price.
uh60james said:
That would have been awesome, I don't understand why everybody charges $100 more unless Google really is taking a hit on each one they sell.
Glad you got them to price match, they wouldn't budge for me. Brought them a few receipts where other people did it, brought them the price printed. They just kept telling me it's not the same phone, got to the point where I was just tired of wasting my time with them and didn't want to wait on the Play Store so I just got it at full price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think Google is necessarily taking a hit but I do think they are selling them just slightly above cost. You have to remember that Google isnt a electronic sales company like Apple, they make all of their profits from there data mining and advertising business. Android is just another medium to collect data and deliver ads. So they could give these away for free and still benefit. However companies like best buy and sprint make their money off of retail sales and cell phone plans. So they are trying to maximize profits that way.
Anyways bummer that they didn't match for you. I guess I just got luck. I walked in not feeling to confident with my play store ad. They were cool but hesitant. After the guy asked his manager he said that they normally wouldn't match the play store but were will to make an exception.
I am in the same boat but for T Mobile. Anyone know if this phone will work for T Mobile as well? I would believe so but I want to make especially if BB is going to charge me an activation fee.

Sprint Nexus 5 Sim

Nexus 5 arrived today and I was pretty excited to activate it until I found out that Sprint sent me the wrong sim card. *Sim cards are now on backorder with Sprint. *Does anybody have one lying around that they would be willing to send me?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Call around to some local stores. You may end up calling quite a few before you find one.
sent from my HAMMERHEAD neXus
I have one from my Old account that I canceled. I'm on ST now. If you need it PM me.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
The Sprint stores that have them are the ones that repair phones. Only Sprint repair stores have them to give.
jdawg0024 said:
I have one from my Old account that I canceled. I'm on ST now. If you need it PM me.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks jdawg0024! PM sent. I apologize if you receive two messages from me. Wasn't sure if the first went out so I sent a second. Thanks again!
oaliaso and CRIME INC. I did call all the local Sprint stores and Best Buy locations to no avail. Thanks for the tip though.
Was in the same boat, went to the local corporate store and they gave me a SIM card right away. I would call ahead just in case though, they only seem to keep a few of them in the store and order them as they need them.
I don't have sprint and never will, but I'm just curious. Why is it such a hassle to get a sim card? With any other carrier, I just walk into a store and they hand me one.
oaliaso said:
The Sprint stores that have them are the ones that repair phones. Only Sprint repair stores have them to give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can a service provider sell service without SIM cards? That's like selling a car without the keys to start it. No wonder people are jumping ship on Sprint like crazy.
BirchBarlow said:
How can a service provider sell service without SIM cards? That's like selling a car without the keys to start it. No wonder people are jumping ship on Sprint like crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because this is the first phone that Sprint has ever allowed on their network that was bought from another source (google play store) other than themselves. Not to mention they're CDMA / LTE and this is the first experience as a company that they had to deal with people actually getting sim cards to activate / use their phones instead of replacing one they already have.
To expand a touch on lilotimz statement. All Sprint branded devices that require a sim card come with a sim card in the box from the factory. The N5 is the first non-Sprint branded device most stores will encounter.
aooga said:
I don't have sprint and never will, but I'm just curious. Why is it such a hassle to get a sim card? With any other carrier, I just walk into a store and they hand me one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cause they are terrible, I used to work for them. Hell, I even carried a T-Mobile phone because service was so bad... From dialup 3g, to spotty lte that's slower than Tmobile hspa, to dropped calls.
And Sims, every store were dicks about those. Even if they had any, they wouldn't give them out unless they were making money, was insane! Basically, corporate didn't send many of those and very few phones need them. So, they save them for activations... If a customer needs them, nope, upgrade... Nope.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
air2k57 said:
Cause they are terrible, I used to work for them. Hell, I even carried a T-Mobile phone because service was so bad... From dialup 3g, to spotty lte that's slower than Tmobile hspa, to dropped calls.
And Sims, every store were dicks about those. Even if they had any, they wouldn't give them out unless they were making money, was insane! Basically, corporate didn't send many of those and very few phones need them. So, they save them for activations... If a customer needs them, nope, upgrade... Nope.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just another reason to not switch to sprint.
You can use gs4 SIM and iphone 5 SIM according to Sprint

[Q] Traveling to Germany - Advice Needed

I have a Nexus 5 on Sprint right now. Their data and voice plans in Germany are kind of insane. I was thinking of getting a SIM overseas and throwing it into my Nexus 5.
Any recommendations on who to use as a carrier? What it might cost? and Anything special I might need to know about my Nexus 5?
I originally had it active on T-Mobile, but to move it to Sprint I had to factory reset. I am assuming I may need to do that overseas.
Also, I know T-Mobile has some insane plan for personnel using their post-paid plan, does anyone know if they have a sim setup for their pre-paid that includes the International data/voice calling?
I tried searching but didn't find anything that matched what I was looking for!
Thanks in advance!
(deleted)
---------- Post added at 08:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:08 PM ----------
BigKenW said:
I have a Nexus 5 on Sprint right now. Their data and voice plans in Germany are kind of insane. I was thinking of getting a SIM overseas and throwing it into my Nexus 5.
Any recommendations on who to use as a carrier? What it might cost? and Anything special I might need to know about my Nexus 5?
I originally had it active on T-Mobile, but to move it to Sprint I had to factory reset. I am assuming I may need to do that overseas.
Also, I know T-Mobile has some insane plan for personnel using their post-paid plan, does anyone know if they have a sim setup for their pre-paid that includes the International data/voice calling?
I tried searching but didn't find anything that matched what I was looking for!
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also on Sprint and you're right, their rates are skyhigh.
I spent most of my summer in Berlin last year as part of a study abroad program. Since I'm not sure where you are going I can't exactly recommend the best service for your area. However Telekom and O2 have very good service across Germany and across most of Europe. Without a German bank card (EC Karte) your options are kind of limited. You will only be able to have a prepaid plan. I went with O2 as they had great service in Berlin and they had a very inexpensive roaming plan for when I was in Poland. I went with the O2 Smart Loop plan. For about 40 Euros a month you can get 3GB of data, 100 minutes (0.09/min thereafter), and sms. Since I was using mostly data and was only going to make calls in an emergency this plan worked for me. Also in Germany you are not charged for incoming sms or calls, so anyone can call you and you are not billed, they are.
The N5 should work just fine on any network in Germany. I used an N4 last year (purchased it just for the trip and sold it to buy an N5) and had no issues. I did swap sims with several friends and I never had to reset my device. Just had to select the new apn and go from there. It was very simple.
In regards to T-Mo, they only allow the international text/data if you sign up for a post-paid Simple Choice Plan. The calls are a flat rate 0.20/min. Looking through their prepaid plans I can't find anything that allows international use. :/
That is great info. Thank you much!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

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