TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Phone question (again)

Ok...so I think I am pretty savvy with international calls and use Skype frequently. I have also used the Verizon daily plan. ALWAYS use an old smartphone that has NO cell service...just use the wifi and Skype.

Recently got new Galaxy S7's and DO NOT have Skype on them. They do have an option for cell service to switch to wifi when the signal is crap. Great idea since my home location is lame on cell service.

Anyway...yesterday our new phone rings (in SBR)....relative from Chicago calling my wife....airplane mode on..data off..no Skype on the phone

How did a call get through to us in SXm when there is 1) no plan in place and 2) airplane mode is on (not roaming)??

Just can't figure that one out....it was listed as a local call (Chicago to a MA number) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Airplane mode doesn't disable wifi. If you have wifi advanced calling enabled you got the call through wifi. Verizon messages is installed on the g7 which can use wifi. I have a galaxy tablet that does not have cell capabilities. But I can call and text using Verizon messenger and wifi - it uses my cell phone number.

Yes, I understand that BUT this would mean ANYONE with a similar phone can be reached in any country without paying for a calling plan. That is what I assumed but I am not sure it would be that simple.

If true why worry about renting a phone (except for on the road use) or paying a daily or monthly fee...as long as you have wifi you are good to go

Skype is one thing but this is without ANY provider....

Sounds WAAAY too simple to me...

..and airplane mode DOES disable wifi by default...you have to turn it back on after going into airplane mode

I know with AT&T, WiFi calls to/from US numbers are treated as local/domestic calls, regardless of where you are physically...this is good for making or receiving US calls while using WiFi in SXM , but if you make a "local" SXM call while in SXM using WiFi, you will be charged at whatever your international long distance rate is, as though the call was being made from the US

Ok..with a bit of research I answer my own question and was very nicely surprised.

If you are outside the USA and have wifi calling enabled on your phone (most of the recent Samsung and IPhones) you will receive and can make calls to and from US numbers at no cost.

So Grandma calling you in SXM from Florida will go through as if you are in your home location. No special plan needed. Just be connected to wifi.

This does NOT apply to calling International numbers. So no calling SXM from Florida or calling SXM from SXM. That's what Skype is for...

It works as I found out yesterday by accident...

No cost or special procedure involved..

edited to add: IslandBoi: just saw your post after I posted mine. They seem to agree. Considering all the phone home questions here why was this not mentioned before? It is a no brainer....

I posted about AT&T's wifi calling when it became available

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...rue#Post1689784

I vaguely remember that but I think I filed it deep because I have Verizon. Nice surprise though to get a call from home by doing nothing.
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