Need VPN on 2g with T-Mobile?
 

I've read that 2g utilizess encryption that is easily broken. So, it is best to use a VPN when traveling internationally and using T-Mo's unlimited data?

Is a VPN of use when connected to a URL with https?

The T-Mobile Intl roaming is NOT 2G, It's using the roaming networks 3G/HSPA (or in some few networks LTE), what is 2G is speeds (you are throttled to 128Kb/sec unless you pay for a data pack). You are still on a 3G/HSPA (rare on LTE) NOT on 2G unless you manually choose to join a 2G network.

In regards to 2g crypto, all packets are tunnelled on the roaming network back to T-Mobile's APN (Access Point Network) in the US anyway. You have less of a chance of open snooping on 2G than on Public WiFi's. In any case if you want full security use a VPN but performance will be REALLY slow.

If on HTTPS likely VPN not needed as long as no "man in the middle" attacks on the HTTPS host.

So, on a hotel wifi system, where you've had to log in to the hotel's website before being able to access the internet, is that using "man in the middle" technology with concurrent risk?

Depends on hotel; most don't filter ; your pre-session login is a web redirect to their server to login, normally after login it's a standard NAT'd internet connection (e.g. like a public WiFi)

Well I picked up a Cell Spot router. Clerks weren't sure if they could do it for my mobile broadband-only account, since it's data-only for my iPad mini 2, for $20 a month.

But they managed to do it and I didn't even have to put a deposit down. If I end my service, I'd have to return it or they'd bill me for $100, which is a good value now, compared to the unbranded Asus router on which it's based.

Main reason I got it was for the VPN server. Got it working so I should not need to sign up for any VPN service when overseas and looking to stream HBO Go.

While there, I asked about converting my plan to a voice plan. $50 with 1 GB of data and $15 for getting a new SIM. I can't just take the nano SIM, which has a number associated with it, and put it in my iPhone 5S.

So they don't want to encourage me to pay $50 instead of $20? Ideally, they'd modularize the service, so that I could add voice and texts for when I go overseas, then take it off when I'm back home. Even for the 20 cents calling and texts, they'd be making out pretty well.

I don't think so. T-Mobile's costs may be pretty close to or even exceed those fees. It's not a money-maker--it's a feature to keep people on T-Mobile and to attract new customers.

Similar problems on Digicel with KitKat, worked fine initially, then problems connecting, reboot and roaming on/off fixed. Finally, could not access data at all. Native Nexus on Lollipop worked fine throughout.

I seemed to remember having a date option for the mobile portal, so good to know I'm not going crazy. As mentioned, I don't have international data pack options on my line right now, so I will call CS if I need to add something. Thanks for the help.

I think I speak for a large part of the FT community when I say: "T-Mo! Please add the Maldives!"

I read on another travel forum, forget which one, that some people have experienced slower data speeds with TMo Simple Choice global roaming than they did when it was first rolled out. Can anyone speak to this issue with firsthand experience in the last couple of months?

Since the data gets tunneled back to T-Mobile USA for throttling, I can see how this would be the case. As more frequent international travelers switch to T-Mobile, and as more existing T-Mobile subscribers become aware of the free data, usage will go up. There are bound to be some locations where the bandwidth between the remote carrier and T-Mobile USA exceeds the aggregate of all of the T-Mobile USA data roamers on that carrier at the moment x 128kbps, in which case the effective data rate will be lower.

If that's the case, can't I just change my APN settings to the local T-mobile ones for whatever country I'm in and avoid that problem?

Since you are not a subscriber on that network, how would that APN authenticate you?

I just checked the rates for my upcoming cruise. Text and Phone aren't too bad, but TMO on the simple choice plan is charging $15/MB for data. That comes out to $15,360 per GB. I think NOT.

The ship charges $0.40 per MB - still too much, but certainly a steal compared to TMO!

The networks doing ship roaming are obscene, better to do a shipboard package with Wifi then try to roam your phone with data.