Hello Hariszahoor,
Welcome to the community!
@hariszahoor wrote:
.... Wi-Fi calling is a way to bypass cellular towers and use internet protocol to make calls/messages . ...
I would clarify that statement by saying that cellular towers and Wifi are merely alternate means of accessing the networks. While calls and messages do not transmit via cellular towers, but rather use internet protocol (voIP) with Wifi-calling, they still transmit through the networks via the internet gateway (see image here).
So, using Wifi-calling is still technically using Fido services and does not necessarily bypass potential roaming charges (if that was your intention). 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).
If you're travelling outside of Canada and using Wifi-calling, all outgoing messages and calls to a non-Canadian number will count the same way as they do on a mobile network. That is, outgoing Wifi-calling messages and calls to a non-Canadian number will incur the Fido Roam daily charge.
In addition, outgoing Wifi-calls to a non-Canadian number outside the destination in which you are roaming will incur applicable long-distance charges in addition to the Fido Roam daily charge. If your services include long-distance add-ons, those preferred rates and/or Intermational minutes would apply.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello Mikeyjpas,
Hopefully, I can shed some light onto Wifi-calling for you...
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...
1) While in Mexico, can I call local numbers in Mexico without being charged?
2) While in Mexico, can I call Canadian numbers without being charged?
3) While in Mexico, can I receive calls from local numbers in Mexico, without being charged?
4) While in Mexico, can I receive calls from Canadian numbers without being charged?
...
When travelling outside of Canada, all outgoing messages and calls to a non-Canadian number will count the same way as they do on a mobile network (see here). So, that is no for number 1. Making calls to a number local to your destination would be considered roaming and incur charges.
On the other hand, all messages and calls you make or send to a Canadian number will simply be taken from your plan's voice and minute allotments (see link above). That is, they will not be considered long-distance or incur roaming charges. In addition, all the messages and calls you receive (from anywhere in the world) will also be taken from your plan's voice minutes and messaging limits. You won’t incur long distance or roaming charges for those either (see link above). So yes for numbers 2, 3, and 4 (within your plan voice and messaging allotments).
I understand you keep your roaming data setting off. However, if you would like to avoid unintentional roaming charges, it would be recommended to enable Airplane or Flight modes on your device. You could then manually enable Wifi when required. Some phone manufacturers might not disable all data when that setting is disabled. They consider System data different from User data and allow data they feel is necessary for the phones to function optimally. Unfortunately, iPhones are notorious for that type of behaviour. Disabling iPhone's roaming data setting doesn't disable all types of data usage (see here, here, here, here, etc). I understand some of those links are dated but there are more recent other examples as well. An explanation I have read is that devices connect to Apple servers for certain essential functions so it is allowed despite data and roaming data settings disabled. Those little bits of data (ie 40 kb) are typical of their requisite data transfer. Unfortunately, I don't think there's an official solution as Apple tends to deny it's an issue.
Fido Roam is enabled by default. You should have received an initial Welcome message outlining the details when your phone first connected to the foreign networks, regardless of your data settings.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello again,
No worries!
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...So I understand that airplane mode ON would not prevent me from incurring charges if I make outgoing international calls while outside of Canada...
No, Airplane mode enabled would not prevent roaming charges if you make outgoing international calls while abroad.
The same rules apply for text messages.
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...(airplane mode ON, data roaming OFF) - if I'm in mexico, can I text a mexico number? A canadian number?...
Texting a Mexico phone number would incur the Fido Roam charge. On the other hand, texting a Canadian number would not incur roaming charges (assuming via Wifi-calling). I understand your scenario has Airplane mode enabled, but it's worth noting the difference between Wifi-calling usage and local cellular network usage. With the latter, roaming charges will incur when you use your device to make or receive a call, send a text message or use data while abroad (see here). So, when connected to local cellular networks, a text (or call) to a Canadian number would also incur roaming charges.
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...Because imessage would be free via wifi, in theory, if airplane mode is on, and data roaming off, I should NOT be able to send a sms message to a non imessage number.
Does having wifi-calling enabled change that?
Wifi-calling would allow you to send messages to a non-iMessage number with those settings as you note. If the number to which the message is sent is a Canadian number, there would be no roaming charges associated. On the other hand, if the number is non-Canadian, roaming charges would apply.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello again,
No worries!
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...
Does that occur even if I have airplane mode on? ...
...The way you explained it matches the wifi-calling page on fido website, but the agent said if I leave airplane mode ON, I wouldn't incur fido roam charges. So would that still apply to situation I described above (outside canada making call to outside canada) ?..
Enabling Airplane mode would only prevent any unintentional usage on local cellular towers. However, Airplane or Flight modes would not have any effect on Wifi-calling (provided Wifi was manually enabled). The calls and messages would still transmit via the provider's gateway (as opposed to travelling entirely through the internet). The same rules for Wifi-calling would be in effect regardless of status of Airplane mode.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello again,
I think what the agent was attempting to explain was the difference between Wifi-calling and other internet-based calling (ie WhatsApp, Viber, etc). The latter calls are connected entirely through the internet using calling apps. On the other hand, the former starts (and possibly ends) via Wifi, but is transmitted via the mobile networks (see graphic here). Similar with cellular towers, when using Wifi-calling, Wifi is only a means of connecting to the mobile network. However, only some Wifi-calling usage is considered roaming and incur Fido Roam charges.
@mikeyjpas wrote:
...Therefore, she is saying that if I would have kept airplane mode ON, then I would not have incurred charges (fido roam) for all outgoing and incoming calls, regardless to what country....
While enabling Airplane mode would prevent your phone from connecting to the local mobile networks, it would not necessarily mean that all Wifi-calling usage would not have been charged. If you made calls locally using Wifi-calling, that usage would still be considered roaming.
As mentioned in my other reply, it would be recommended to enable Airplane or Flight mode on your device for the duration of your trips. Manually enabling Wifi would allow you to use either Wifi-calling or internet-based calling apps. In addition to the issues with iPhones and the roaming data setting, you should note that some internet-based calling apps might transmit calls via mobile airtime minutes (within the app) if it deems the internet connection is too slow for voice calls (see here and here). It should also be mentioned that other messaging apps may also behave in a similar manner.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
