I-Phone Warning-Canada
 

I feel like a technology cripple. I had a trip to Canada last month with a 2 night layover. I don't normally fly out of the US. 20 minutes of phone calls cost me $20.54. Roaming Data cost me $114.38. Total bill $134.92. I had no idea. Lesson learned. After I got my bill I figured out you could turn of Data Roaming. Go to Settings-General-Network-Data Roaming and turn it off. Any other suggestions? My bottom line from now on is I will not use my phone in Canada unless absolutely necessary.

You can check on the ATT website how much your per minute fee is going to be in each country for phone calls.

Text messages are always $0.50, which I find the best way to go. Get a text, find a place to use Truphone, of go back to the hotel and use Skype.

Always turn data off. As you found out very expensive. Even just to load VIPS a check in is a lot of coin. Not worth it, wait to get to the hotel.

Call AT&T and say you have never been to Canada.

Fring/skype for iPhone
 

download the free iphone app FRING to use skype directly from your iphone on a wireless internet connection overseas with G3 and Data Roaming turned off.

Good free solution for international calls anywhere you can find internet access.

Captch11

Thanks for the info from all of you. I really don't know what skype is or how it works. Is there any additional info I need to know to make it work? I will download FRING and take a look. I just wanted everybody else to know what a reaming I got.

FDXLAG, Is it ATT that is charging me or the Canada Phone Company passing on the charges. If it is, they are scum bags to charge that much money for your e-mail to update in the auto mode and to look at the internet a few times.

When I used to be a pilot before uncle Delta threw me on the street, when I made my pilgrimages to maple syrup land, I would always turn off my data roaming... else, the 'ol "iPidimus Maximus' would sync my email, etc about every 5 minutes and I'd owe the 'man' about $100 extra bones at the end of the month. Text wisely and talk briefly grasshopper.

To address your current bill, call Alpha Tango and Tango and complain like a spoiled 12 year old in a toy store and they might credit your account for some of the charges. Threaten to cancel your service if they are not receptive.... you should be able to work that bill down a bit.

I recommend Truphone over Fring. The connection seems better, the rates are the same or better now (1.8 cent/min to mobile or landline, 20 cent/SMS txt msg, and calling Truphone to Truphone is now a freebie). Your real phone number shows up on the receiving end's caller id.

Get VoIP on your Mobile and Make Cheap Calls with Truphone

I've tried both on my iPhone and Truphone is better, hands down. Now, on my laptop, its Skype or MagicJack.


Clarification, Truphone is 6 cent/min, unless you pay the $4/month Trusaver plan. Somewhere in there is a break even point! Still better reception and clarity than Fring, IMO.

Also, if allows you to update twitter

I use ATT and overnight in Canada regularly. Never been charged a roaming fee. I think it's in my plan.

Me too, but I don't have an iphone (my kid does). On a normal phone, you don't get charged unless you initiate something (I don't think I have been charged for receiving text). The Iphone does a lot of data stuff in the background (check email, etc) which racks up a bill. That phone should really warn you before it automatically performs tasks which incur charges.

Just got off the phone with ATT. No relief. Says the store that sold the phone should have let you know about international roaming. I guess you can pay extra every month for an international package. I told him what they charged me for 2 days was a ripoff and I will be terminating my ATT plan. Still no relief.