Digital Nomading - Verizon Wireless and...? Is there a digital nomad forum?
Jan 25, 22, 3:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,282
Digital Nomading - Verizon Wireless and...? Is there a digital nomad forum?
Mom died, I got Covid, before any of this happened, I put in my 60 days notice to leave my Los Angeles apartment of ten years... in short, I had a LOT less time to begin to plan my digital nomadship which is about to begin than I had hoped. Do we have a forum for this? I don't even have time to google the websites dedicated to such an activity, they are littered with random information and advertisements for services pretending to be legitimate advice... but I'd like to avoid making any MAJOR mistakes. i.e. I am not "moving" to another state since I still work for a California company... BUT... I came to this forum for the following question:
For those of you that travel often and have to make calls - ideally reliable with little lag or choppiness or poor quality - what do you use?
My company is allowing me to do this, but we are small and certainly no one there is experienced in what I am doing... I will still need to make some phone calls and texts that aren't to another iPhone. What is the best plan of action without being crazy expensive? Traditionally when traveling for personal I just buy a local sim card when I arrive (once in the city, never at the airport).
Things I have:
Looking for everyone's thoughts on what is best... get a basic T-Mobile account, transfer my number there, possibly then purchase their International plan because 2G speed is junk... keep the Verizon but on a "new" number...? Buy a local Sim card each country I visit for data but then?? The Verizon international plan is $85 a month (normally $100, not sure why it is discounted) but only comes with 250 minutes (and 1000 texts but most of my texts are iMessage so who cares)... I tried to export my call history into an excel log to see if 250 is enough from Verizon's website but it keeps not working.
Looking for ya'lls expertise, thanks!
For those of you that travel often and have to make calls - ideally reliable with little lag or choppiness or poor quality - what do you use?
My company is allowing me to do this, but we are small and certainly no one there is experienced in what I am doing... I will still need to make some phone calls and texts that aren't to another iPhone. What is the best plan of action without being crazy expensive? Traditionally when traveling for personal I just buy a local sim card when I arrive (once in the city, never at the airport).
Things I have:
- A grandfathered family plan on Verizon Wireless with 10 GB shared amongst 5 lines, with me using 6 GB of data and I could probably use more
- I guess it offers Wifi calling, I just turned it on, but does it work when I am in Colombia, other countries?
- I guess there is also call forwarding...?
- Elevate - a VOIP program at work which has an app for cell phones or computers
- A Google voice number - I called a friend from it still using my iPhone 13 Pro, and it was NOT as good of quality as I'd have hoped
- What'sApp and/or other apps, but I can't have work call my regular cell number and answer with WhatsApp calling can I? Skype I presume the same...?
Looking for everyone's thoughts on what is best... get a basic T-Mobile account, transfer my number there, possibly then purchase their International plan because 2G speed is junk... keep the Verizon but on a "new" number...? Buy a local Sim card each country I visit for data but then?? The Verizon international plan is $85 a month (normally $100, not sure why it is discounted) but only comes with 250 minutes (and 1000 texts but most of my texts are iMessage so who cares)... I tried to export my call history into an excel log to see if 250 is enough from Verizon's website but it keeps not working.
Looking for ya'lls expertise, thanks!
Jan 25, 22, 5:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,042
Port your number to Google Voice so you can call/text (and be called/texted from) the U.S. for free anywhere you have an internet connection. Set up Whatsapp and/or the messaging app of choice where you're going to use your GV number so you don't have to mess around changing it. GV's call quality isn't as good as VoLTE, but it's just as good as pre-VoLTE cellphones as long as you have a solid internet connection.
Don't bother paying for American cell service if you're not in the U.S., just get a prepaid SIM or eSIM in each country you go to. Other than Canada, Central Asia ("the Stans") and the least-developed parts of sub-Saharan Africa, mobile data is cheaper in most places than it is in the U.S., and I suspect you'll be finding places to stay with good wifi for your computer anyway.
If you're planning to come back to the U.S. for a few weeks/months at a time, just get whatever prepaid plan suits you best (IMO that's often Mint or T-Mobile Connect if T-Mo's network serves your needs and Visible if it doesn't, but your needs may vary). Leave your number with Google Voice and just treat your new carrier number as a throwaway. For really short trips, I just use a cheap data eSIM.
Don't bother paying for American cell service if you're not in the U.S., just get a prepaid SIM or eSIM in each country you go to. Other than Canada, Central Asia ("the Stans") and the least-developed parts of sub-Saharan Africa, mobile data is cheaper in most places than it is in the U.S., and I suspect you'll be finding places to stay with good wifi for your computer anyway.
If you're planning to come back to the U.S. for a few weeks/months at a time, just get whatever prepaid plan suits you best (IMO that's often Mint or T-Mobile Connect if T-Mo's network serves your needs and Visible if it doesn't, but your needs may vary). Leave your number with Google Voice and just treat your new carrier number as a throwaway. For really short trips, I just use a cheap data eSIM.
Last edited by der_saeufer; Jan 25, 22 at 6:11 pm
Jan 26, 22, 7:26 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 552
Your iPhone 13 Pro has dual sims, so I would use IMS function for free calling to the US while roaming internationally. Buy a roaming esim from a company like Airalo for a few bucks that gives you data at your roaming location and set up your phone to make simulated WiFi calls from your Verizon over the data service. The IMS feature is built in to iOS and works well. The requirement I've seen from Verizon is WiFi calling is included on plans that have unlimited voice & text service.
This has been discussed in this forum, so you can search for that, or you can PM me for a more thorough explanation if you meet this simple requirement and would like to learn more about IMS.
This has been discussed in this forum, so you can search for that, or you can PM me for a more thorough explanation if you meet this simple requirement and would like to learn more about IMS.
Jan 26, 22, 8:52 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 552
It is a feature that Apple built in to iOS that allows dual sim phones to simulate WiFi with two lines. The basics are, line 1 connects with a local carrier as your data line. Your line 2 chooses a carrier in Network Selection that has no roaming service. It then defaults to line 1 as if it were a WiFi connection. WiFi needs to be turned off for this. So, if you use line 1 on a paid data service like Vodaphone or Three UK and have a data connection, your main number T-Mobile line 2 with no service will get free WiFi calling to the US. This works well and is easy to set up. Your main line remains active as long as this setup remains. It is very stable and you can leave your everyday TM cell number on for incoming calls all day.
I use either Airalo or sometimes just another idle T-Mobile line on my account in the data position with the free 256k data roaming.
Jan 26, 22, 9:39 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,321
It is a feature that Apple built in to iOS that allows dual sim phones to simulate WiFi with two lines. The basics are, line 1 connects with a local carrier as your data line. Your line 2 chooses a carrier in Network Selection that has no roaming service. It then defaults to line 1 as if it were a WiFi connection. WiFi needs to be turned off for this. So, if you use line 1 on a paid data service like Vodaphone or Three UK and have a data connection, your main number T-Mobile line 2 with no service will get free WiFi calling to the US. This works well and is easy to set up. Your main line remains active as long as this setup remains. It is very stable and you can leave your everyday TM cell number on for incoming calls all day.
I use either Airalo or sometimes just another idle T-Mobile line on my account in the data position with the free 256k data roaming.
Jan 26, 22, 10:01 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 552
A few reasons. First, I can buy less data than 15Gb, and spend less of course. Secondly, I seldom need anywhere near that much for my uses. Voice service uses around 16Kbps, so about 1Mb per minute. I have several lines that get the 256kbps free data roaming, so that generally works well for texting, email, mapping, navigation, etc. If I am getting free US calling via IMS, I do not need the included voice service of T-Mobile's Data Passes. So I spend $10-$15 and with hotel WiFi mornings & nights, I never need any more than the 1-5Gb I get from Airalo.
Jan 26, 22, 10:57 am
#8
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,420
I'm not quite sure what Digital Nomad means to you. You seem to be remaining in California?? @kokonutz is a digital nomad traveling the world. He and his wife, also an FTer, wrote some some articles about decisions to be made as they launched into this life. You might want to browse some of his posts - or not, if this is not what digital nomad means to you. https://readyjetroam.com/category/digital-nomad/
Jan 26, 22, 6:19 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,282
I'm not quite sure what Digital Nomad means to you. You seem to be remaining in California?? @kokonutz is a digital nomad traveling the world. He and his wife, also an FTer, wrote some some articles about decisions to be made as they launched into this life. You might want to browse some of his posts - or not, if this is not what digital nomad means to you. https://readyjetroam.com/category/digital-nomad/
Jan 26, 22, 6:28 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,282
Port your number to Google Voice so you can call/text (and be called/texted from) the U.S. for free anywhere you have an internet connection. Set up Whatsapp and/or the messaging app of choice where you're going to use your GV number so you don't have to mess around changing it. GV's call quality isn't as good as VoLTE, but it's just as good as pre-VoLTE cellphones as long as you have a solid internet connection.
Don't bother paying for American cell service if you're not in the U.S., just get a prepaid SIM or eSIM in each country you go to. Other than Canada, Central Asia ("the Stans") and the least-developed parts of sub-Saharan Africa, mobile data is cheaper in most places than it is in the U.S., and I suspect you'll be finding places to stay with good wifi for your computer anyway.
If you're planning to come back to the U.S. for a few weeks/months at a time, just get whatever prepaid plan suits you best (IMO that's often Mint or T-Mobile Connect if T-Mo's network serves your needs and Visible if it doesn't, but your needs may vary). Leave your number with Google Voice and just treat your new carrier number as a throwaway. For really short trips, I just use a cheap data eSIM.
Don't bother paying for American cell service if you're not in the U.S., just get a prepaid SIM or eSIM in each country you go to. Other than Canada, Central Asia ("the Stans") and the least-developed parts of sub-Saharan Africa, mobile data is cheaper in most places than it is in the U.S., and I suspect you'll be finding places to stay with good wifi for your computer anyway.
If you're planning to come back to the U.S. for a few weeks/months at a time, just get whatever prepaid plan suits you best (IMO that's often Mint or T-Mobile Connect if T-Mo's network serves your needs and Visible if it doesn't, but your needs may vary). Leave your number with Google Voice and just treat your new carrier number as a throwaway. For really short trips, I just use a cheap data eSIM.
Your iPhone 13 Pro has dual sims, so I would use IMS function for free calling to the US while roaming internationally. Buy a roaming esim from a company like Airalo for a few bucks that gives you data at your roaming location and set up your phone to make simulated WiFi calls from your Verizon over the data service. The IMS feature is built in to iOS and works well. The requirement I've seen from Verizon is WiFi calling is included on plans that have unlimited voice & text service.
This has been discussed in this forum, so you can search for that, or you can PM me for a more thorough explanation if you meet this simple requirement and would like to learn more about IMS.
This has been discussed in this forum, so you can search for that, or you can PM me for a more thorough explanation if you meet this simple requirement and would like to learn more about IMS.
Jan 27, 22, 10:06 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 384
I'm not quite sure what Digital Nomad means to you. You seem to be remaining in California?? @kokonutz is a digital nomad traveling the world. He and his wife, also an FTer, wrote some some articles about decisions to be made as they launched into this life. You might want to browse some of his posts - or not, if this is not what digital nomad means to you. https://readyjetroam.com/category/digital-nomad/
Also dont see any way to email to them.
Jan 29, 22, 9:37 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,321
A few reasons. First, I can buy less data than 15Gb, and spend less of course. Secondly, I seldom need anywhere near that much for my uses. Voice service uses around 16Kbps, so about 1Mb per minute. I have several lines that get the 256kbps free data roaming, so that generally works well for texting, email, mapping, navigation, etc. If I am getting free US calling via IMS, I do not need the included voice service of T-Mobile's Data Passes. So I spend $10-$15 and with hotel WiFi mornings & nights, I never need any more than the 1-5Gb I get from Airalo.
edit: unfortunately I have 128kbps. And while I complain every time Ive been overseas, I guess it has worked out even if it is very slow.
Jan 29, 22, 10:19 am
#13
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in CHICAGO, IL, USA
Posts: 57,720
I'll take a look at your comment now! Feel free to DM me on FlyerTalk!
Jan 29, 22, 10:27 am
#14
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in CHICAGO, IL, USA
Posts: 57,720
I will be working for the same company I've worked for, for 6 years, but instead of from home like I've done the last two years, it will be from various cities and countries, some US, some all over. I'd say thats a digital nomad, the main difference being I am not doing it for my own freelance / company type ordeal and my clients/business will be completely unrelated to where I am working from...
