Using VOIP as a low cost roaming solution

Good morning,

Due to roaming charge changes, I'm thinking the following may be a low cost solution after looking through various posts on TB forums.

Use an E-Sim (along side my main SIM) in my Iphone SE 2020 and obtain, say a EU data plan for the E-Sim. £10 for 3GB for 30 days for EU27+UK+SWISS. Depending upon coverage this could also be used in the UK to avoid blackspots of my main provider.

When roaming is required:
- turn off mobile data and roaming on my main SIM. I understand SMS messages for 2FA do not use "data" and would still be received (for free) whilst roaming.
- enable data on my E-SIM
- use "call forwarding" on the Iphone settings menu (or the GSM network shortcuts) to forward all calls from my mobile number to my UK VOIP sipgate basic plan number. My mobile plan has inclusive minutes.
- install Acrboits Groundwire configured with the UK VOIP number, and use Apple Family to share with my wife
- Configure the VOIP number to divert all calls to the sipgate voicemail, if not answered, offline or busy.

With the above, if someone
- sends a SMS message to my mobile - I should receive it free of charge
- sends an iMessage to my mobile - I will receive as part of the E-SIM data plan
- calls my mobile - I either answer immediately on Groundwire or will receive a notification from Groundwire/email from sipgate and will use Groundwire to return the call/access the VOIP voicemail. All this would use the E-SIM data plan

If I make a call, via Groundwire it will be part of the E-SIM data plan but will also incur sipgate charges. I'm not sure whether I can spoof my caller id to be my UK mobile number instead of the UK VOIP number which would make it easier for people receiving the calls.

I could also use Facetime/Zoom for calls and (secure) wifi where available.

Am I BarkingMad? Have I dropped any clangers?

Thanks for your input.

All good generally.

Pure SMS won’t require data, but stuff like iMessage will do but should be covered off by WiFi or your other eSIM with data.

Why do you want to divert / call forward your mobile number though? Anyone calling your mobile should be able to get through fine and it won’t cost them to make or you to receive whilst you’re abroad.

Thanks @Pheasant,

I was forwarding all calls from my mobile to cover cases where I don't answer the call and the caller leaves a voicemail. I understood that if a call diverted to voicemail whilst abroad it is charged. Google gives results from 2005 - 2012 which says it is chargeable. Although 3's webpage says it is now free. I've been educated.

I could disable mobile voicemail but then I would need to make a call via VOIP to find out if the call was important (what the caller wanted from me). If I left it enabled, I would need to call my mobile voicemail box via VOIP (with my PIN) to retrieve the message. If I forwarded all calls to VOIP, then the I understand the sipgate answer machine would send me an email with an mp3 attachment of the message, if I didn't answer the VOIP call. It seems easier to me to forward eveything.

Mobile companies don't make it easy regarding charges for roaming. EE's roaming page for France says receiving calls is covered by the £2/day charge. However, 3's France roaming page spells it out - they are free. 3's webpage says it is chargeable to receive calls in Argentina. Perhaps (in general) within the EU it is free?

I think a solution of just diverting all mobile calls to VOIP when abroad is the easiest given it looks like receving calls is chargeable in some destinations. I'd also guess the caller would still hear a UK calling tone so masking the fact that I may not be in the UK.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Anyone calling your mobile should be able to get through fine and it won’t cost them to make or you to receive whilst you’re abroad.

I'm pretty sure all the plans I've used charge for receiving calls while roaming.

Three: taking Canada as an example, it costs 99p per minute to receive a call.
https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Roaming_and_internat...

Lebara: receiving calls is free in zone 1, 99p/min in zone 2, £1.49/min in zone 3/4.
https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/rates

Aside: Three's data roaming charge in Canada is £6,000 per gigabyte. It's not a misprint

Edited by candlerb (Wed 18-Jan-23 17:06:02)

Aside: Three's data roaming charge in Canada is £6,000 per gigabyte. It's not a misprint blush

£6 per MB. Nuts.

Vodafone have never charged me for receiving calls whilst abroad. Good thing I don't visit Canada though 🤣

Just so long as 1 GB is not their minimum charge...

Cheers!

I have always been charged for receiving calls abroad, mainly with O2 but also briefly with Vodafone.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

£6 per MB. Nuts.
Vodafone have never charged me for receiving calls whilst abroad. Good thing I don't visit Canada though 🤣

Canada is seriously expensive for those that live there for mobile, nevermind roaming. I’ve paid £8 per Mb in years past roaming with Orange in the USA, that was eye opening

For any regular traveller its worth buying the pack or add on (“bolt-on’ being I gather an O2 trademark), EE’s one is pretty good for me and where I go.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

I think I'll stick with the forwarding of calls to VOIP to avoid any potential roaming charges.