When set to Automatic, how do phones choose a mobile network? In both Barcelona, Spain and Santa Cruz, Ecuador, my iPhone 5S defaulted to MoviStar. In both cases, MoviStar ended up being the network which provided the worst experience and I had to manually choose a better network.

Last I looked into this (which, to be fair, was several years ago), the SIM card has a list of preferred roaming providers and it goes down that list, in order.

So in theory, getting a new SIM card could change the default. T-Mobile can also update this remotely.

Hmmmm. I've always received an SMS upon arrival to a new country but for some reason did not get one when I arrived to Spain. I connected to both Vodafone and Orange and they both work so I assume I'm good to go (since TMobile shows Spain on its list). But I'd hate to find out later they are charging me for data.

I didn't get my "Welcome to the UK" text for almost 24 hours (arrived at 10am on Thursday, but didn't get it until after 9am on Friday). I wouldn't worry. It appears that if you're in a non-supported area (like I was on the Isle of Man), you have to blatantly do the #766# short code to turn on paid roaming (it doesn't just start working and bill you $1000 within 30 minutes like some other carries - *cough* Verizon *cough* AT&T *cough*).

Since you know you're in Europe, you're good (I think the entire continent is covered now with the last few additions). Next up: agreements for Africa...

Jim

Unfortunately, their database isn't useful. Prior to my trip, I called T-Mobile asking them if there was a particular provider I should choose. The agent told me for Ecuador there was only one mobile provider which I soon discovered to be incorrect.

First off, you won't do yourself any harm by picking the wrong carrier. If your phone can register on the network, you will get the Tmobile free data and 20 cent per minute calls - there is no danger of your being charged more.

Second, if your phone gets on a network, it's probably as good as any other. It's not like you are going to discover the magic network that throttles less - the throttling is done at the Tmobile end in the US as all the data is routed through Tmobile servers.

Third, if you really want a particular network - Inquisitor on prepaidgsm.net, who always seemed very knowledgeable, said the SIM might prefer certain networks but sometimes you can get on the non-preferred network. However, to simulate the preferred network not being available, you have to try to register on the non-preferred network multiple times. On the third or fourth try it will register.

It looks like Google just announced a competitive phone service that is cheaper than T-mobile ($20 per mo without data) and then $10 per month for each 1GB of data at 2x speeds of Tmobile (256 kpbs vs 128 kpbs). 256 kpbs is 3G speed whereas Tmobile gives you 2G. And the data you don't use rolls over. https://fi.google.com/about/

Domestically it uses the Tmobile & Sprint network. So better than Tmobile solo in the US. Trying to ascertain if there are any downsides. Seems to me that this saves $10 per mo although... it's only available on the Nexus 6 (I currently have the Nexus 5). Might be an upgrade in my future soon.

That's interesting, thanks. Anything that puts pressure on pricing is interesting. Just rolling over unused data would be positive.

I'm not keen on Google getting even more data, though. Use this phone service in conjunction with a Google account and they'll have far, far more than I'd be happy with (movements, payments, calls, texts, mails, browsing, fingerprint ...).

Unfortunately, this is an incorrect statement. During my initial layover at Quito, Ecuador, my phone automatically connected to MoviStar. The phone labeled the connection as "3G'. During this time, I was getting a very good connection as I could upload photos to Facebook using the iOS app.

When I arrived at my hotel in Puerto Ayora, my phone reconnected to MoviStar but only as "E". It was a strong connection because I had 5 "bars". I couldn't access any sites even Bing or Google using Safari. I initially thought this was life on the island. Later, I decided to see what other networks, if any, were available. When I switched to Claro, the connection was labeled as "3G" and the speeds greatly improved.

When I was talking to someone from the mainland, I was informed that Claro was the major telecom for Ecuador. It made sense as the only payphone I saw was operated by Claro.

But you're willing to allow T-Mobile to see most of it? And the NSA of course ;)

You could always use an app like RedPhone if you're so concerned.

I'm not perversely concerned. And of course none of us is under the illusion that we can expect total privacy if we use other people's networks to communicate. But there's still the question of degrees: we have some control. Using an Android phone with Google as your provider surrenders quite a lot to one company. That's all.

Update from NZ —

2degrees never worked.
Phone defaulted to Spark, which wouldn't work on 2G.
Switched to Vodafone, which worked great on 2G (100 KBPS)
Later in the trip, I switched to Spark, and the 2G worked. Go figure.

Bottom line — when in NZ, change your default to Vodafone and start from there. Maybe someone could update the wiki.

2G EDGE worked well?

Technically EDGE (which is 2G) can support up to 1Mbps. I wouldn't get caught up on the 3G/2G distinction, because there are a lot of overlapping speed ranges as you move from EDGE to UMTS to HSPA to HSPA+ to LTE and beyond.

Also, even when your speed is limited, you may very well be connected to a 3G/4G network.

In my case, I prefer T-Mobile, because my primary roaming destination is Canada, where I certainly get better than 256kbps. But if you typically go elsewhere, Fi may be a better option if the data speed differences make enough of a difference for you. Or if the cost is enough of a factor.

We're registered & roaming free on T-Mobile's Global data both in Taiwan & South Korea earlier this month, all around the region in both places for 7 days each - Facebook uploads certainly worked great, fast enough to upload quite a # of pictures while on the move (inside cars/taxis & buses) & seldom lost our signal. Maps were very much functional and of course, more than adequate to check & read emails/attachments, etc. - and made WiFi calling on iPhones' 6 and 5s. Also did Facetime video & Hangouts calling back to the states, and between TW & SK too (Google billed it at USD 0.04/minute)

SKTel also has a "5G" network, possibly compatible ?? with T-Mobile but I couldn't connect to it to see, just out of curiosity, on my i5s as that's a prepaid backup line with no access to roaming data (ditto, same for the iPad Mini with FDFL on home network only) - send/receive text on T-Mo prepaid would be 50 cents each on SKTel - voice call would be billed at $2.69/min ... that's "expensive" but not for emergencies, if I can't be reached on other numbers for whatever reasons.