@Cawtau I've always had a roaming block on my line that would not allow my phone to connect to any other carrier, period. This is different from just opting out of Fido roam, from my personal experience when I left Canada my phone went dead even if I connect to WiFi in another country I could not make or received any calls. Once I connect to my VPN I was able to make and receive calls and text messages using WiFi.
I've tested this using a VPN connected to a Canadian server and I also tested it tunneling back to my home connection using Wireguard.
Once you put the block on your line that only allows your device to connect to Fido network the WiFi part would also not work.
Hello Kapable-K,
I didn't refute your post nor was there any suggestion what you posted was incorrect or would not work.
@Cawtau wrote:
... Kapable-K has outlined an option to continue with Fido using Wifi-calling and a VPN service connected to a Canadian server...
I mentioned you provided an option; I also provided an option. Some people might not wish to be forced to use a VPN service. Some might not even know what a VPN (virtual private network) is... Some people might not wish to block roaming (prevents access to extended coverage in Canada (Fido-EXT))...
Generally, people like having more than just one option so they may choose an option which best suits their situation. I understand you travel with your method and that works for you. It may or may not work for others.
I have always attempted to provide people with all of the options and information I have available so they may make informed decisions for their own circumstances. I have even referred to your previous post about the same VPN and Wifi-calling as a possible option in response to another poster's query.
Cheers
@Cawtau Don't get me wrong. I never thought you were refuting my comment. It's my fault. I should have quoted the part of your reply I was replying to. I was on my phone, and I find it difficult to reply.
"It should be noted that it is possible to use Wifi-calling abroad without the VPN. However, with this usage case, you would not be able to place a roaming block on your line. It should be noted, though, that some Wifi-calling usage abroad is considered roaming. While using Wifi-calling abroad is technically using Fido services while roaming, they have allowed certain usage to be free from additional charges."
I read it as you were saying that if you put a roam block on the line, it would not block the WiFi calling option, from my test, it does block WiFi calling also.
I understand having options is always a good thing, but the OP doesn't want to have roaming charges, and without a full roaming block, he is playing with a chance of incurring roaming fees, and I don't think he wants that. A full roaming block using a VPN would be a worry free option if he stays with Fido.
I try not to assume someone doesn't know anything. If the OP doesn't know what a VPN is or how to get one, then that could be his next question or topic, and we continue the conversation.
Hello again,
Thank you for clarifying your post.
@KAPABLE-K wrote:
...but the OP doesn't want to have roaming charges, and without a full roaming block, he is playing with a chance of incurring roaming fees, and I don't think he wants that...
I understood that the OP does not want to have roaming charges.
@Cawtau wrote:
...Depending on your usage requirements, you could also avail of Wifi-calling without incurring roaming charges or the need to purchase VPN services. However, without the roaming block on your line, it could be possible to incur roaming charges if your phone happens to connect to the cellular towers for calls and/or messages. To prevent the unintentional connection to foreign cellular towers, you could enable Airplane or Flight mode on the device. That setting should disable the cellular antennae, thereby preventing the connection to cellular towers. You could then manually enable Wifi...
Enabling Airplane or Flight mode and subsequently enabling Wifi should prevent the device from connecting to local cellular towers, thereby preventing roaming charges. Personally, I have used this method without incurring roaming charges. Is it possible the device does not work as expected and allow a cellular connection despite Airplane or Flight mode enabled? Sure. However, I am not aware of any actual cases where that happened. With most cases I have heard, people have actually made calls or sent messages to non-Canadian phone numbers so not an issue of devices inappropriately connecting to cellular towers.
So yes, if the OP uses Wifi-calling to make calls or send messages to non-Canadian phone numbers, that usage would incur roaming charges, if roaming not blocked. Your method could prevent those roaming charges, though could incur long-distance charges.
Cheers
Hello Animeshpatel,
Welcome to the community!
That welcome message you received is only to inform you that your phone connected to a foreign network. It does not necessarily mean that you've already incurred that Fido Roam charge. It is usage of your services (ie making or receiving calls, sending messages, or using data) that will trigger the roaming fee (see here). Receiving SMS will not trigger the roaming fee. However, as alluded to above, any data within a MMS (sent or received) will be considered roaming data and will trigger the roaming charge. To prevent accidental download of MMS, you might consider disabling any MMS Auto retrieve settings on your phone. With that setting disabled, you will receive notification of the message (SMS) and be given the option to download the content (MMS). If you do not download the content, there should be no roaming fee charged.
To clarify what was mentioned previously, rejecting calls no longer triggers the roaming charges (see here).
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello Subramaniam,
Welcome to the communtiy!
As mentioned in the link provided in my previous reply, having calls go to voicemail and/or rejecting calls to send them to voicemail should not incur roaming charges. However, it should be noted that checking your voicemail would likely be considered roaming as one must call the voicemail service.
While unanswered calls would not incur roaming charges, it would be important to note that if your device used data when it connected to the foreign towers, that usage would incur those charges. I understand you might not intend on using roaming data. However, some devices have been known to use data despite data and roaming data disabled (see here). If you have not already done so, it is usually best to enable Airplane or Flight mode in order to prevent unintended data usage. You can manually enable Wifi when required.
It should be noted that while using Wifi for regular internet access will not incur Fido Roam charges, there seems to be some misunderstanding regarding Wifi-calling. I'm not sure how people have gotten the impression that Wifi-calling does not use the networks. However, that is not true. While the calls and messages do not transmit via cellular towers, they still use the networks via the internet gateway (see image here). The cellular towers and Wifi are merely alternate means of accessing the networks. Calls and messages would not be able to complete or get sent/received without the networks. As such, using Wifi-calling is technically using Fido services. However, they have allowed certain usage to be free from additional charges. All the messages and calls you receive (from anywhere in the world) will be taken from your plan's voice minutes and messaging limits. As well, all Wifi-calling messages and calls you make to a Canadian phone number while abroad won't incur long-distance or roaming charges (see link above).
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello Ramcan,
Welcome to the community!
Sorry to hear of your parents' health issues. Kapable-K has outlined an option to continue with Fido using Wifi-calling and a VPN service connected to a Canadian server.
It should be noted that it is possible to use Wifi-calling abroad without the VPN. However, with this usage case, you would not be able to place a roaming block on your line. It should be noted, though, that some Wifi-calling usage abroad is considered roaming. While using Wifi-calling abroad is technically using Fido services while roaming, they have allowed certain usage to be free from additional charges. All the messages and calls you receive (from anywhere in the world) will be taken from your plan's voice minutes and messaging limits. As well, all Wifi-calling messages and calls you make to a Canadian phone number while abroad won't incur long-distance or roaming charges (see link above).
Depending on your usage requirements, you could also avail of Wifi-calling without incurring roaming charges or the need to purchase VPN services. However, without the roaming block on your line, it could be possible to incur roaming charges if your phone happens to connect to the cellular towers for calls and/or messages. To prevent the unintentional connection to foreign cellular towers, you could enable Airplane or Flight mode on the device. That setting should disable the cellular antennae, thereby preventing the connection to cellular towers. You could then manually enable Wifi.
You should note the forums are community-driven and not intended as a venue for customer services. If you wished to discuss your matter and/or opt-out of Fido Roam (or apply roaming block), you would need to contact customer service. In addition, they can also be contacted via Live Chat, Facebook, or Twitter. Those methods can be accessed via the contact page posted above.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
@ramcan, If you want to stay with Fido you will have to pay for the roaming.
There is an alternative that you can use which requires running a VPN, you will need to make sure your phone is capable of having WiFi calling on the Fido network and enabled then you will need to get a VPN service and connect to a Canadian VPN when in India while connected to WiFi and you should be able to make and receive calls.
You should also contact customer service and opt out of the Fido roam and make sure they put a block on your line so you don't roam period when away from the Fido network.
I tested this a few years back, and it did work. I don't see any reason why it would not still work.
Hello @animeshpatel,
Receiving an SMS from anywhere will not trigger the Fido Roam charge. Similarly, receiving the text notification of an MMS will also not trigger the Fido Roam daily charge.
However, if you download the associated data within any MMS will trigger the daily Fido Roam charge. You should make sure your phone's data roaming is off.
If you receive a call from anywhere and do not answer and let the phone ring through to voicemail, it will not trigger the Fido Roam charge.
If you receive a call and reject or deny the call, it will trigger the daily Fido Roam charge because you will be forwarding the call to your voicemail from a foreign network.
