Free wifi in parks and roaming charges

[Greenfield1984]

Hello fellow Canadians! So I am really not tech savvy and have a question which is probably stupid... I have an Iphone, and now that they have free wi-fi in the MK, can I use that wi-fi to access the internet without being charged extra roaming charges (or other charges)?

Thank you for your help!

 

[RainbowsMist]

Wifi is free We also turn off our data just to be safe.

 

[Polydweller]

Wifi is not cellular and has nothing to do with cellular data or your phone plan. To prevent cellular data usage, go into settings -> general-> network and turn off cellular data.

Of course, voice calls and text will still have charges and roaming charges unless you get a voice/text plan for the US.

So long way around to saying using wifi has no roaming charges and you can use it as much as you want.

 

[dontthrowsand]

If you want to be sure, turn on airplane mode then turn on wifi. No cellular connection but you can still use wifi

 

[Greenfield1984]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies!!

 

[ThinkTink!]

I have an ipod touch (no cellular/data just for music and apps) DH has an android. If he turns off his cellular and we both only use free wi-fi is there an app available that will allow us to text each other?

 

[GillianP1301]

I have an ipod touch (no cellular/data just for music and apps) DH has an android. If he turns off his cellular and we both only use free wi-fi is there an app available that will allow us to text each other?

I'm not sure about the app availability, my guess is not. You can call your provider though and get a temporary US travel package added to your plan that will guard against high roaming charges and with mine (Bell), you can specifically choose a plan for either voice, text or data and/or any combination of the three. I think it was like $10 to get a texting package.

 

[Mom2HandR]

I have an ipod touch (no cellular/data just for music and apps) DH has an android. If he turns off his cellular and we both only use free wi-fi is there an app available that will allow us to text each other?

I think Text Plus works. DD has it on her iPod Touch.

 

[lizabu]

You can use Tango to call people. (we did this in Europe using WiFi)

 

[Reese]

We were planning on messaging in the park with the wifi over the internet to avoid texting charges.

 

[Camilo]

I have an ipod touch (no cellular/data just for music and apps) DH has an android. If he turns off his cellular and we both only use free wi-fi is there an app available that will allow us to text each other?

there's a great utility which wife and I are using called WhatsApp.

Fido charges me 0.25 cents per text sent, so it was adding up at the end of the month.

WhatsApp allows you to text each other using Wifi or 3G via the application. Same as SMS/text, you get a pop-up indicating there's a new message. It also works in background. You don't need to have it opened.

If you're using wifi, of courses, there are no charges.

The software is free on android and costed me 1.00 for my iphone.

hope this helps.

Camilo

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I have an ipod touch (no cellular/data just for music and apps) DH has an android. If he turns off his cellular and we both only use free wi-fi is there an app available that will allow us to text each other?

My kids use Magicjack for phoning on their itouches. They can phone anywhere with it. We use one at home for our long distance that we have paid for but the kids can get the itouch version for free. So we will be using that in the parks.

The kids also use something called "kick"? (not sure how it's spelled) to text back and forth. They used to use "textplus" but it doesn't seem to work on my daughter's anymore.

The kids text and phone us on our androids using these services at home but since I'm unsure if we would get charged on our androids (we use PC as our cellular phone provider and it apparently doesn't work down in the states at all) we (my DH and I) were just going to use one of the kid's itouches if we separated.

Plus I'm excited about the new "my disney exerierence" app!

Plus I leave today!!!!

 

[Mom2HandR]

Kik!! Yes that's a good one.

 

[ThinkTink!]

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[OvertheRainbow]

there's a great utility which wife and I are using called WhatsApp.

Fido charges me 0.25 cents per text sent, so it was adding up at the end of the month.

WhatsApp allows you to text each other using Wifi or 3G via the application. Same as SMS/text, you get a pop-up indicating there's a new message. It also works in background. You don't need to have it opened.

If you're using wifi, of courses, there are no charges.

The software is free on android and costed me 1.00 for my iphone.

hope this helps.

Camilo

I loaded WhatsApp onto our iphones but had a question about the notification settings. If I have the sounds & alerts notifications on for this app will I be ok for no additional charges. I plan to have airplane mode on as well as wifi turned on. I am also going to leave my 3G on but have cell data and data roaming turned off. If I don't have the sounds & alerts turned on then we won't know if the other person has sent us a message unless we keep checking the phone. I really like the option to be able to keep in touch with each other but am terrified I'll get home to an outrageous cell phone bill I hope all this makes sense to someone

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I loaded WhatsApp onto our iphones but had a question about the notification settings. If I have the sounds & alerts notifications on for this app will I be ok for no additional charges. I plan to have airplane mode on as well as wifi turned on. I am also going to leave my 3G on but have cell data and data roaming turned off. If I don't have the sounds & alerts turned on then we won't know if the other person has sent us a message unless we keep checking the phone. I really like the option to be able to keep in touch with each other but am terrified I'll get home to an outrageous cell phone bill I hope all this makes sense to someone

Pretty sure that if you are in airplane mode, your 3G can't run - that's kind of the point of airplane mode (no little electronic gremlins flying thru the sky to mess your plane up).

The only sure fire way to avoid a potentially massive cell phone bill are to:
1. sign up for your phone company's roaming plans;
2. swap out your sim for a US sim (read the sticky at the top of the page, you can have unlimited in US calling, texting and data for $2/day from TMobile), or there is a slightly more expensive Canadian option from Roam Mobility;
3. stop at a US WalMart or Target and purchase a pair of cheapy phones.

 

[OvertheRainbow]

Pretty sure that if you are in airplane mode, your 3G can't run - that's kind of the point of airplane mode (no little electronic gremlins flying thru the sky to mess your plane up).

The only sure fire way to avoid a potentially massive cell phone bill are to:
1. sign up for your phone company's roaming plans;
2. swap out your sim for a US sim (read the sticky at the top of the page, you can have unlimited in US calling, texting and data for $2/day from TMobile), or there is a slightly more expensive Canadian option from Roam Mobility;
3. stop at a US WalMart or Target and purchase a pair of cheapy phones.

Oops, my mistake, lol. I knew the 3G wouldn't work with airplane mode on . I got mixed up with all the different functions I should have turned on and the ones I should have turned off. I planned on having the airplane mode turned on and using the wifi. Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I think out of the three I would probably go with option 1

 

[webworm]

Another option is to get your phone unlocked through a provider on ebay. It can often be done for $5.00 and they will send you a code within a few hours. Very easy and simple to do. I did this recently before heading to Virginia Beach for a week. When I got to Virginia Beach I went and picked up a FREE SIM card from an AT&T Corporate Store. Note if you go to an authorized AT&T retailer they will charge you a $10 fee for sim and activitation. Added $15 to the sim and was all set for the week. Signed up for the $2.00/day pay as you go plan on **days used** which includes unlimited texting to Canada and within the US. Also includes unlimited nationwide calling in the US.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html

 

[tamarabannon]

For as low as $10 I think, with Bell, you can add A single roaming feature, which would allow you to leave your phone on, as long as you turn data roaming off.

You can leave your phone on, answer calls if you want to (bear in mind it's $2-3 a minute, unless you've chosen roaming minutes) text if you need to (a price per text will apply, unless you have roaming texting) and use ALL the free wifi you want.

If you are concerned about battery consumption, turn off all push notifications, make sure you're apps are closed. If you're only using your phone as a camera for the time being, you can put it in airplane mode, and use the camera, turn on wifi when you're ready to upload etc.

Your best bet is to find out what the cheapest roaming offer is that fits your need. We have grandfathered in unlimited US texting for $20 -- they keep trying to get us to get rid of it, but that's not happening. It allows us to keep our phones on with no problems... WITH ROAMING DATA turned OFF.

Hope this helps.

As for free wifi communications -- if you have iphones, you can facetime. You can also check out VOXER which allows you to use your phones as walkie talkies or as texting devices.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Or, as I mention in the Sticky, you can go to a T-Mobile store with an unlocked phone, buy a sim card for less than $10, and pay $2/day for unlimited US calling, texting and data (and if you have an iPhone or Android, download the Google Voice app and have free calling back to Canada).