Receiving USA Google Voice calls while in Thailand

[chubby]

Receiving USA Google Voice calls while in Thailand

I'm wondering how to get my GV number to ring my mobile while in Tland. If I had a dual SIM mobile, Maybe my US carrier T-mobile SIM card would still receive incoming US phone numbers? and forwarding my GV number to my mobile, would allow it to ring in Tland?

In that case , are incoming rates different than outgoing ?

confused

as a possible alternative:

I am going to buy a new Obi device , and I have it connected to GoogleVoice, so someone calls my GV number and it rings through the device(which is connected to my router via ethernet cable), usually while in Tland, I buy a SIM card (which may have expired from last Feb?, 1-2 call, etc), and I buy refill minutes. ; and my apartment has their own wifi , maybe I could get GV to ring my SIP number, which would ring the Obion app on my phone?

http://www.obihai.com/googlevoice

- Use the OBiON app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices for true VoIP calls over Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G using the OBi device to bridge to Google Voice and call traditional numbers (without using your cell minutes).
- Receive calls to your Google Voice number then use the OBi device to bridge to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices using Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G (without using your cell minutes).

anyone done this?

Edited September 27, 2014 by chubby

[Aachen]

If you use your US SIM Card you will be charged US -> Thailand.

You use a Thai card and connect to Google... Or better maybe the WiFi and no card. If the Wifi is good enough.

[chubby]

well, thanks, but I know if I have US sim and call US from thailand i'm charged by my US carrier, BUT

what if someone calls my mobile from the US and I pick it up in thailand, THEN who pays for the call ?

re: GV it is not usable from a Thai IP address , directly , only for US IP addresses ......... afaik

[tinhead]

You cannot register your Google voice account to a foreign cell phone number… If someone phones your GV, it will forward to American number and you will pay long-distance from US to Thailand.

If you use the same service to call out, GV servers call your American number to which you pay long distance again.

GV is only useful for SMS abroad so it seems.

[Sayonarax]

Google voice is a US service.

Suggest you forward your calls or leave a message on ya voice mail.

[chubby]

why would I pay for a call, someone else is making to myself? wouldn't they pay the long distance ? leaving GV out of the question ?

[lomatopo]

Based on the replies here I think most people are unfamiliar with Google Voice.

Google Voice relies on Voice over IP, so requires connectivity to a mobile (3G/LTE)/wired (Ethernet/WiFi) data network.

Calls made to your 10 digit GV number will ring through to wherever you are assuming to have the requisite data connection. There is no charge to you, the “called party” (other than that which you pay for your data connection), and the calling party pays as if they are calling your number in the U.S. ( so per minute long distance charges, or any bundled minutes get deducted). You can receive calls on a variety of devices PCs, mobile phones (Android, no experience with iPhones), tablets. You can originate calls from anywhere, to anywhere. Calls to the U.S. and Canada are free (mobile called parties pay for incoming calls in the U.S.), while calls elsewhere require you to pay by adding money to your GV account.

Recent improvements in Google Hangouts and the Hangouts Dialer, allow calls to your GV number to ring through to your data-enabled Android device for free. You’ll need the latest version of Hangouts ( 2.3.75731955) and the Hangouts Dialer ( 0.1.74972069), and you’ll need to configure the Hangouts Dialer (Settings, tick Incoming phone calls – Ring Hangouts for incoming phone calls made to your Google Voice number, see image). It works for me, calling party number gets passed to my phone, my GV number gets passed to the called party. This is essentially what we had with GrooVeIP before that app. was dis-enabled.

You can originate/receive SMSes via GV. (Note that some banks cannot send an SMS to a GV number even if it is registered, as GV is not really a mobile telephony platform, per se.

Obi analog telephone adapters continue to support GV, which was a surprise to read, so that is a good option for free calls to/from the U.S. You’ll need a wired Ethernet connection.

T-Mobile does now roam in Thailand, for me via AIS/2100. I can send/receive SMSes (good for bank’s OTOPs) and make/receive calls. You’ll have to check their rates. You’ll pay the international tariff for both incoming and outgoing calls, and people dialing your T-Mo number will only pay for domestic rates/minutes. In-coming SMSes are ten cents, I think.

It would help if you detail exactly what it is you are hoping to accomplish, what kind of devices you have and what kind of networks you’ll have access to here in Thailand. Please be very, very, very specific.

Edited September 28, 2014 by lomatopo

[RichCor]

To add to what lomatopo has already stated, Google Voice also supports Call Forwarding to multiple US-based phone numbers.

So you have a number of methods of receiving Google Voice calls while travelling internationally.

Circuit Switched (telco based)

Mobile Roaming --

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a US Mobile Number (with International Roaming enabled). If your mobile carrier has a roaming agreement and your phone is compatible, you pay all roaming charges for calls made and received.

International Call Forwarding Service --

Google Voice Call Forwarding to an international call forwarding service to your foreign number. You pay, based on the agreement.

Packet Switched (Internet IP based)

Hangouts --

Google Voice Calls received via the Hangouts application on mobile. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

Gmail --

if on a PC you can receive Google Voice calls in Gmail (via Google Chat, when properly enabled). *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

SIP (or VoIP) device or application--

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a SIP or VoIP Internet-based telephony company provided telco number that then redirects your call to whatever Internet-based devices you have set on your 3rd-party SIP/VoIP account. Device could be an IP telephone, a mobile phone or a PC running SIP software. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

(*You pay for Internet Data, if applicable): While many businesses offer free Internet or free Internet WiFi, these can not be relied upon to work 24/7. More likely you would need to subscribe to an Internet Data service (mobile 3G/LTE, or fixed Internet) and pay for Internet Data.

[chubby]

Lomatopo, thanks for your response.

I guess the hangouts app, works different than my version of the GV app?

1)the GV app, requires that I link it to my US mobile number to work.

My Android Gingerbread is too old for the Hangouts Dialer, guess this is a good excuse for a new smartphone. re: GV and Obi , for the past 6 mo or so, GV did not support Obi, but few weeks ago, they are supporting it again.

I have a number of gmail/google accounts. I use a main one to POP3 the mail to it. But, I don't want to use my main email account on my smart phone, for security reasons. I could transfer my main phone number (GV) to the current alternative google account on my phone, but think I'll wait on that...

Basically I trust Obi with my GV number, but don't want my main email on my phone.

........ I know I need a ethernet connection for the Obi, though Obi does have a wifi dongle too, but the wifi is so poor where I usually stay, probably would not be usable.

........so incoming Tmobile calls would be charged to myself as roaming , assuming it works? I'm on a month to month Tmobile plan here , but can let it expire (I'll be in Thailand for 3 months) , but I believe I'll lose my phone number for the mobile , also if the GV rings the mobile, even while I'm roaming, it would be backup for emergencies, if I can't get GV ringing via Hangouts (again , if you follow what I'm saying)

Based on the replies here I think most people are unfamiliar with Google Voice.

Google Voice relies on Voice over IP, so requires connectivity to a mobile (3G/LTE)/wired (Ethernet/WiFi) data network.

Calls made to your 10 digit GV number will ring through to wherever you are assuming to have the requisite data connection. There is no charge to you, the “called party” (other than that which you pay for your data connection), and the calling party pays as if they are calling your number in the U.S. ( so per minute long distance charges, or any bundled minutes get deducted). You can receive calls on a variety of devices PCs, mobile phones (Android, no experience with iPhones), tablets. You can originate calls from anywhere, to anywhere. Calls to the U.S. and Canada are free (mobile called parties pay for incoming calls in the U.S.), while calls elsewhere require you to pay by adding money to your GV account.

Recent improvements in Google Hangouts and the Hangouts Dialer, allow calls to your GV number to ring through to your data-enabled Android device for free. You’ll need the latest version of Hangouts ( 2.3.75731955) and the Hangouts Dialer ( 0.1.74972069), and you’ll need to configure the Hangouts Dialer (Settings, tick Incoming phone calls – Ring Hangouts for incoming phone calls made to your Google Voice number, see image). It works for me, calling party number gets passed to my phone, my GV number gets passed to the called party. This is essentially what we had with GrooVeIP before that app. was dis-enabled.

You can originate/receive SMSes via GV. (Note that some banks cannot send an SMS to a GV number even if it is registered, as GV is not really a mobile telephony platform, per se.

Obi analog telephone adapters continue to support GV, which was a surprise to read, so that is a good option for free calls to/from the U.S. You’ll need a wired Ethernet connection.

T-Mobile does now roam in Thailand, for me via AIS/2100. I can send/receive SMSes (good for bank’s OTOPs) and make/receive calls. You’ll have to check their rates. You’ll pay the international tariff for both incoming and outgoing calls, and people dialing your T-Mo number will only pay for domestic rates/minutes. In-coming SMSes are ten cents, I think.

It would help if you detail exactly what it is you are hoping to accomplish, what kind of devices you have and what kind of networks you’ll have access to here in Thailand. Please be very, very, very specific.

[chubby]

RichCor, can you give me an example of this :

"SIP (or VoIP) device or application--

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a SIP or VoIP Internet-based telephony company provided telco number that then redirects your call to whatever Internet-based devices you have set on your 3rd-party SIP/VoIP account. Device could be an IP telephone, a mobile phone or a PC running SIP software. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable."

( currently I have an account with callcentric.com , during the time GV stop allowing Obi, I signed up )

...........maybe , since my Android OS is not supporting Hangouts Dialer, I could work around it , depending on what this means, or how it might be done

To add to what lomatopo has already stated, Google Voice also supports Call Forwarding to multiple US-based phone numbers.

So you have a number of methods of receiving Google Voice calls while travelling internationally.

Circuit Switched (telco based)

Mobile Roaming --

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a US Mobile Number (with International Roaming enabled). If your mobile carrier has a roaming agreement and your phone is compatible, you pay all roaming charges for calls made and received.

International Call Forwarding Service --

Google Voice Call Forwarding to an international call forwarding service to your foreign number. You pay, based on the agreement.

Packet Switched (Internet IP based)

Hangouts --

Google Voice Calls received via the Hangouts application on mobile. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

Gmail --

if on a PC you can receive Google Voice calls in Gmail (via Google Chat, when properly enabled). *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

SIP (or VoIP) device or application--

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a SIP or VoIP Internet-based telephony company provided telco number that then redirects your call to whatever Internet-based devices you have set on your 3rd-party SIP/VoIP account. Device could be an IP telephone, a mobile phone or a PC running SIP software. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable.

(*You pay for Internet Data, if applicable): While many businesses offer free Internet or free Internet WiFi, these can not be relied upon to work 24/7. More likely you would need to subscribe to an Internet Data service (mobile 3G/LTE, or fixed Internet) and pay for Internet Data.

[RichCor]

RichCor, can you give me an example of this :

"SIP (or VoIP) device or application--

Google Voice Call Forwarding to a SIP or VoIP Internet-based telephony company provided telco number that then redirects your call to whatever Internet-based devices you have set on your 3rd-party SIP/VoIP account. Device could be an IP telephone, a mobile phone or a PC running SIP software. *You pay for Internet Data, if applicable."

( currently I have an account with callcentric.com , during the time GV stop allowing Obi, I signed up )

...........maybe , since my Android OS is not supporting Hangouts Dialer, I could work around it , depending on what this means, or how it might be done

I play around with several SIP/VoIP-based accounts.

Talkatone has a proprietary android app that allows making and receiving VoIP calls through their network.

CallCentric can connect to many 3rd-party SIP software clients. I use CSipSimple, but others can also be configured.

So long as the SIP/VoIP based service allows you to obtain a US-based phone number then you can use it for forwarding Google Voice calls, or use the Google Voice call-back service to place outgoing calls with your GV DID (Caller-ID) being displayed.

[chubby]

does google hangouts, auto-magically, show everyone else your contact list?

I really can't sort it out

whats the difference between google hangouts and google +

I fear mis-clicking and having google share my private data, and don't trust them

this is one reason i'm separating my google voice from my main gmail account thx

doesn't seem like on android one can uninstall google hangouts either, i'm not sure how to even dis-engage it from my contact list, assuming, it already has it .............sigh

[lomatopo]

Again, it might help if you back away from all the technical issues and clearly identify your requirements and applications. More detail is always better than none. Obviously any detail re: your current phone, PC, tablet, no. of incoming/outgoing calls, minutes, budget also help to narrow solutions.

Something as simple as, "I want to be able to call people in the U.S.", or, "I want people in the U.S. to be able to call me". I assume you know there is a significant time difference between Thailand and the U.S., which makes calling a bit more challenging.

Often there are simpler solutions. For example, you can use a calling card to call the U.S. from any phone in Thailand for 1 baht/min. Or use a low-cost prefix from a mobile to call the U.S. for 3.21 baht/min. Or you could get a magicJack device.

http://www.deedial.com/web3/en/

http://www.magicjack.com/index.html

Yes, Hangouts now works differently than the Android app. called "Google Voice".

YEs, Obi announced new support for Google Voice, which was a pleasant surprise.http://blog.obihai.com/2014/09/google-voice-and-obihai-update.html

T-Mo does roam here in Thailand but your phone would need to support the requisite frequencies. T-Mo has also changed their pre-paid/pay-as-you-go expiry so you can maintain your number for $3/month, but you may need to modify your existing plan. You will pay the international fee for incoming calls made to you T-Mo number. People in the U.S. would only pay for a domestic call.

You could get a new Google Voice 10 digit number, or you could could port out your existing Google Voice number to magicJack.

Google Voice does offer a whole host of features including follow-me and forwarding, so you could forward calls to GV to T-Mo, but then you'll be paying for incoming international calls, and relying on getting a roaming signal. Or you could just wait for a missed call, and ring back from Thailand using local low-cost options.

I primarily use magicJack from home, or low-cost prefixes originated from my mobile here, but return messages left on my T-Mo, Google Voice and mJ numbers. I often have GV and mJ running on my mobile; magicJack do have a somewhat improved Andorid app.

Edited September 29, 2014 by lomatopo

[chubby]

....ok, lomo, so thx again for the info, continuing:

1) pretty simple, mostly, I'd like my GV number to ring my mobile, while I travel in Tland for 3months. (also, once I permanently move to Tland, I want it to continue to ring, I don't get a lot of calls, but it is my official phone number for my mainland personal business, and friends).

2) seems like installing google hangouts on Gingerbread will do that, but I don't want google hangouts , to mission creep into a google + account , that is going to share all of my private mobile contacts with my "circle" somehow ......

3) what does the hangouts dialer do exactly , allow you to be on a tland IP and call USA numbers for free with GV ?

4) I want my main GV number to ring my mobile, without having to login to my main gmail account on my phone, seems like that would require porting my GV number to a separate new gmail/google account, as one is not allowed to log into just one service with google.

5) or I can just leave my gmail/GV connected and not have my mobile ring, and just return calls left on the GV VM , as it seems is your way of doing it .......

6) i'm in the market for a new obi, my obi 100 died, and am thinking of getting an obi 200 , hoping it might be more robust than the 100 , but perhaps a MJ has some advantages over an obi, an annual membership gets you a phone number, you could have GV forwarded to the MJ number ?

.........sorry if i delved into the "technical"

Again, it might help if you back away from all the technical issues and clearly identify your requirements and applications. More detail is always better than none. Obviously any detail re: your current phone, PC, tablet, no. of incoming/outgoing calls, minutes, budget also help to narrow solutions.

Something as simple as, "I want to be able to call people in the U.S.", or, "I want people in the U.S. to be able to call me". I assume you know there is a significant time difference between Thailand and the U.S., which makes calling a bit more challenging.

Often there are simpler solutions. For example, you can use a calling card to call the U.S. from any phone in Thailand for 1 baht/min. Or use a low-cost prefix from a mobile to call the U.S. for 3.21 baht/min. Or you could get a magicJack device.

http://www.deedial.com/web3/en/

http://www.magicjack.com/index.html

Yes, Hangouts now works differently than the Android app. called "Google Voice".

YEs, Obi announced new support for Google Voice, which was a pleasant surprise.http://blog.obihai.com/2014/09/google-voice-and-obihai-update.html

T-Mo does roam here in Thailand but your phone would need to support the requisite frequencies. T-Mo has also changed their pre-paid/pay-as-you-go expiry so you can maintain your number for $3/month, but you may need to modify your existing plan. You will pay the international fee for incoming calls made to you T-Mo number. People in the U.S. would only pay for a domestic call.

You could get a new Google Voice 10 digit number, or you could could port out your existing Google Voice number to magicJack.

Google Voice does offer a whole host of features including follow-me and forwarding, so you could forward calls to GV to T-Mo, but then you'll be paying for incoming international calls, and relying on getting a roaming signal. Or you could just wait for a missed call, and ring back from Thailand using local low-cost options.

I primarily use magicJack from home, or low-cost prefixes originated from my mobile here, but return messages left on my T-Mo, Google Voice and mJ numbers. I often have GV and mJ running on my mobile; magicJack do have a somewhat improved Andorid app.

[lomatopo]

Still not clear on your current Android phone - this is important so we can understand what types of mobile (3G) networks you might have access to.

Also not clear on your budget?

Since it is unclear as to what networks (3G, WiFi, wired) you might be able to access here, it might easier/simpler to just return calls/messages left on your GV, using a calling card or low-cost prefix.

Once you relocate here permanently and have some sort of decent home-wired (DSL, DOCSIS, FTTx) network then maybe you look at other options?

3) what does the hangouts dialer do exactly , allow you to be on a tland IP and call USA numbers for free with GV ?

Yes.

but perhaps a MJ has some advantages over an obi, an annual membership gets you a phone number, you could have GV forwarded to the MJ number ?

Yes.

[chubby]

Lomo,

this phone is a Samsung Mini GT-S6500 GSM , I used it in Tland , earlier this year. , it's running Gingerbread OS 2.6.38.6-etc , this phone is good enough, but I may upgrade anyway, and don't want to spend > $200.00 on any unlocked phone , I did hear that Android 'L' series is due in Oct/2014 , so yet another question , is would any 'K' version be upgradabel to 'L' version

; I'm considering getting a cheap chinese 4G kitkat phone like or

various phablets, as backup to my laptop like these :

http://www.gethuawei.com/detail/huawei-ascend-mate-2/HUA-MT2-L03

http://www.androidauthority.com/thl-l969-review-4g-lte-budget-518184/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_Mega

-------

In USA, I have my DOCSIS cable modem(motorola surfboard SB6121) , is it likely to work in Tland ?

-------

I'm hesistant to buy into MJ annual fee, if GV will do the job. When and how do you use MJ over Hangouts/Dialer?

Still not clear on your current Android phone - this is important so we can understand what types of mobile (3G) networks you might have access to.

Also not clear on your budget?

Since it is unclear as to what networks (3G, WiFi, wired) you might be able to access here, it might easier/simpler to just return calls/messages left on your GV, using a calling card or low-cost prefix.

Once you relocate here permanently and have some sort of decent home-wired (DSL, DOCSIS, FTTx) network then maybe you look at other options?

3) what does the hangouts dialer do exactly , allow you to be on a tland IP and call USA numbers for free with GV ?

Yes.

but perhaps a MJ has some advantages over an obi, an annual membership gets you a phone number, you could have GV forwarded to the MJ number ?

Yes.

[chubby]

loma,

can you tell if your phone contacts, are being shared with others via "hangout"/chat; or google +, i'm not using google + , unless it's going to poach my hangouts contacts , even if i don't direct click/signup for google + thanks

[chubby]

allow me to try this one last time:

what I'm wanting to do is have my USA google voice , ring through to my mobile in Thailand, BUT, I'd like to not login to my email/gmail account that is linked to the google voice number at present, I know I can port it to a different gmail/google account, BUT, would rather not have to do that.

so, maybe this is not possible ?

[RichCor]

allow me to try this one last time:

what I'm wanting to do is have my USA google voice , ring through to my mobile in Thailand, BUT, I'd like to not login to my email/gmail account that is linked to the google voice number at present, I know I can port it to a different gmail/google account, BUT, would rather not have to do that.

so, maybe this is not possible ?

I'm not sure why you're still asking the same question. Is there something you don't understand about Google Voice, or what the forum has written?

The easiest thing to do is set you mobile phone to ROAM with your US number. But roaming will cost you big time.

You can get a Dual-SIM phone if you want both a Local Thai and your US numbers active at the same time.

BUT there are ways to reduce the cost to you by employing other methods, as mentioned already in this thread.

Some of the methods are not always straight forward. Many involve additional costs (but hopefully cost less than paying roaming on a US mobile number).

You seem to have two issues:

The desire to have your US calls forwarded live to wherever you are currently

Not wanting to be logged into Google Services (gmail, contacts, google voice, etc)

...anything else?

I thought we covered a number of options quite well.

[chubby]

Rich: Lomatopo kept asking me 'exactly' what I wanted to do. So, thats why I just wrote that. Thanks for your help.

Sorry, no I got some new info, which I just noticed in my GV account online too, about Hangouts, but there are various other questions, still unclear about. Mostly, about whether hangouts is integrated with Google+ at all, and will harvest my private contacts. I cross-posted to google support too

Yes, Rich, if your referencing Obi , I've had an Obi for a year or so, and had GV on it, so I'll probably get a 202 version, as the 100 version died.

I believe I Also mentioned I have GV forwarded to callcentric, but I don't think that helps me in any way, while in Tland ?

cheers, feel free to ignore me.

[RichCor]

Rich: Lomatopo kept asking me 'exactly' what I wanted to do. So, thats why I just wrote that. Thanks for your help.

Sorry, no I got some new info, which I just noticed in my GV account online too, about Hangouts, but there are various other questions, still unclear about. Mostly, about whether hangouts is integrated with Google+ at all, and will harvest my private contacts. I cross-posted to google support too

Yes, Rich, if your referencing Obi , I've had an Obi for a year or so, and had GV on it, so I'll probably get a 202 version, as the 100 version died.

I believe I Also mentioned I have GV forwarded to callcentric, but I don't think that helps me in any way, while in Tland ?

cheers, feel free to ignore me.

[ whether hangouts is integrated with Google+ at all, and will harvest my private contacts ]

Google Hangouts is the 'application' providing access to services provided by Google+. While some G+ services are available without having joined Google+ , others require you agree to join, build a profile, and be authenticated.

If you use ANY Google Device, OS, or Service then, yes, Google scraps and harvests the contacts it sees. Google+ also searches your current contacts and match then to other Google+ users and offer to include them in your circles. Your G+ name may also show up on your contacts screens if the contact data matches your profile. If you share something in Google+ with someone, they may be able to see who else you shared it with.

Google gmail contacts and are separate from those of Google+ and a typically not shared with other users.

[ I believe I Also mentioned I have GV forwarded to callcentric, but I don't think that helps me in any way, while in Tland ? ]

Why don't you think this will work?

I use the android app 'CSipSimple' to connect to my callcentric account. Works fine. My only complaint is it seems to drain my mobile battery quicker than just using the Hangouts app. But then I'm very weird about battery life for some reason.

If callcentric works on your mobile phone in the US then it should work for you in Thailand. The 'Internet' is just being used as a long extension cord.

[clokwise]

chubby, I understand what you're trying to do. Here's what I've been doing for many years now. You will need: a GV #; a USA Skype #; and the annual Skype plan which grants you unlimited calls to Thailand.

I believe I spend about $50 per year for the USA # and the unlimited global calls plan from Skype, but I think it may be cheaper if you subscribe to the Thailand calls only plan (which I think still exists).

You will need the Skype # so that you can forward your GV # to a USA #. In theory, having the Skype # you don't need the GV number at all, just give people your Skype #. That is an option. However I prefer to give out my GV # because should I cancel the Skype service, and when I travel back to the US, I can forward GV to my local cell or other phone service provider and keep the same # (my GV #). Not to mention the cool features you get with GV, plus Hangouts integration, etc.

Next step is you forward your Skype calls to your Thai cell #. With the unlimited calls plan you can easily do that.

Finished. Now whenever someone calls your GV # it will ring your cell phone in Thailand.

It's worth mentioning that there is no need to have Skype or Hangouts on your cell phone. No data plan is required either. All calls will be made via the cell provider, which is what you are after.

This solution is USA->Thailand only. However if you ever want to call the USA, you will need Skype or Hangouts on your phone + WIFI or 3G data.

[chubby]

hmm, didn't know about CSIPsimple, that may be all I need. I'll just forward my GV # - > callcentric (via that app), and maybe also to an Obi, so I can use cordless headset, which I prefer.

now maybe I should be an up to date smart phone, I just got an invite for a one plus one phone but I think it's $380 with cyanogenmod, and kitkat, was thinking my budget was < $200, sometimes , i think about going back to a non smart phone, and a high end laptop, instead of carrying around an expensive phone

[chubby]

1)

hmm, tmobile's usa site says this :

"Automatic coverage in 120+ countries and destinations. Only at T-Mobile.

Unlimited international data coverage and texting are included with a qualifying Simple Choice Plan at no extra charge. It’s just 20 cents per minute for calls to mobile devices and landlines."

........then again Tmobile seems to be the only month/month service with GSM in the US, and I don't know what frequency/bands they use either for 3/4G, tried looking it up.....

2)

starting at $50/month for 1 gb of data ......

I got an invite for a oneplus one phone for $350, but I don't know if the 3g/4g frequencys are good for thailand ? can you tell me ?

Network:
1) Network type: FDD-LTE & WCDMA & GSM
2) Band (FDD-LTE): 1800/2100/2600MHZ. Please make sure your sim card will fit or not before to buy it; Band (WCDMA): 850/2100MHZ; Band (GSM): 850/900/1800/1900MHZ

Connectivity

• GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz

• WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8

• LTE: Bands: 1/3/4/7/17/38/40

Edited October 7, 2014 by chubby

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

AFAIK, the T-Mobile Simple Choice plans that include those international roaming/data benefits are their more expensive post paid monthly service plans. I believe in TM speak, Simple Choice plans = postpaid monthly service.

Same with TM's recently announced venture to allow TM customers to have unlimited streaming from various video providers without using their TM mobile data allotment. Only available to Simple Choice subscribers.

Every time I've talked to TM about anything offering any particular benefit for anyone spending time abroad, those benefits typically aren't offered to those on the less expensive pre-paid TM service plans.