Bypassing international roaming fees by using WIFI

[ObsceneJesster]

I am looking for information regarding international roaming charges. For informational purposes I am using the Samsung Vibrant. I want to know if I turn off the "Data while Roaming" feature and put my phone into Airplane mode will I still be charged if I check my email and surf the web only when connected to a WiFI network. I am getting mixed responses from customer service whether or not I can bypass international roaming charges by doing this. I'm pretty sure I won't be charged when using my phone over wifi but I just wanted to make sure.

Your responses are well appreciated.

 

[marefin]

From my understanding if you turn off roaming and ONLY use wifi, you will NOT be charged. And for the LOVE OF GOD, do not roam unless you have the money to pay for it. Learned that the hard way

 

[nateo200]

From my understanding if you turn off roaming and ONLY use wifi, you will NOT be charged. And for the LOVE OF GOD, do not roam unless you have the money to pay for it. Learned that the hard way

Your phone automatically as per your carriers settings. Whether you choose to data roam is up to you. Wifi is a private network so your carrier can't touch it.

 

[bluenova]

I am looking for information regarding international roaming charges. For informational purposes I am using the Samsung Vibrant. I want to know if I turn off the "Data while Roaming" feature and put my phone into Airplane mode will I still be charged if I check my email and surf the web only when connected to a WiFI network. I am getting mixed responses from customer service whether or not I can bypass international roaming charges by doing this. I'm pretty sure I won't be charged when using my phone over wifi but I just wanted to make sure.

Your responses are well appreciated.

If you put your phone in Airplane mode you won't be able to use WiFi as all radio systems will be disabled.

What you want to do as others have said is make sure the tick-box under:
Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile Networks > Data roaming
is not ticked. This will prevent your phone from using mobile data. Now the only way you can be charged is if you make or receive a cellular call. If your phone rings and you do not answer you will not be charged.

WiFi has nothing to do with your cellular provider so it would be impossible for them to charge you usage. You can use WiFi to make/receive calls through many SIP providers or Skype. Just Google 'SIP provider' and you will see a whole load of options. You can use the app Nimbuzz to make/receive calls via your SIP provider over WiFi.

 

[mikedt]

If you put your phone in Airplane mode you won't be able to use WiFi as all radio systems will be disabled.

Should still be able to turn on a phone's wifi function independently of flight mode. I mean some airlines offer in-flight internet via wifi. I can still use the wifi on my Galaxy S even when it's in flight mode.

BTW Chinese airlines don't recognise flight mode on mobile phones. Mobile phones must be off during flights in China...end of.

 

[Doit2it]

I'm on Verizon and anytime I go to Canada to visit my daughter I turn off data roaming, background data, and data. Yeah, it's overkill, but Verizon's Canada rates is $0.002/Kb. Sounds cheap, right? Downloading a 3Mb song will cost you $6. Download a 100Kb image will cost you 20 cents. It adds up FAST. I've never been caught roaming, and don't want to be.

Here's T-Mobile Int'l roaming page: T-Mobile roaming