Dealing with overseas SIM cards

[Freq Flier 2013]

Hi guys,

I was tired of changing my SIM cards on my iPhone from my Aust card ( so people could call me on my Aust number) to my USA temporary SIM card.

There had to be a better way...

So I looked into Skype call forwarding and just did it now. It works like a charm.

I followed this link.
Skype divert

I'm sure most of you know about it, but thought I would share this for anyone else.

 

[Caito]

News to me lol.
Might try this when I go away next week

 

[Pleb Status]

The best way I have found to deal with being overseas is a dual SIM phone. I currently have a dual SIM Samsung Galaxy Note 5 which works very well.

I have my Telstra SIM in one slot and a local SIM in the other (I have SIM cards for Starhub in SIN, CSL in HKG and EE in UK). I redirect all calls on the Australian number to Messagebank which then states they should call me on the OS number and/or SMS me on either number. Normally, any calls I receive are from work, family, friends etc and they know where I am anyway (it is also a good way to ensure that you do not receive marketing calls, other time wasters etc while you are away).

I can then call or SMS back at local rates (or via VoIP). No other solution (on a single phone) will allow you to receive SMS to your Australian number at the same time as using a local SIM for calls/SMS and 4G data.

 

[Colin 2905]

A big problem with the currently available dual SIM 'phones is that one of the SIM's is relegated to 2G at best. That's fine if there's at least one 2G network available on which you can roam, but as time goes on, that's going to be less likely. eg; There won't be any 2G in Singapore in 11 month's time..... https://www.ida.gov.sg/About-Us/New...5/MNOs-to-close-2G-networks-from-1-April-2017.

 

[Pleb Status]

A big problem with the currently available dual SIM 'phones is that one of the SIM's is relegated to 2G at best. That's fine if there's at least one 2G network available on which you can roam, but as time goes on, that's going to be less likely. eg; There won't be any 2G in Singapore in 11 month's time..... https://www.ida.gov.sg/About-Us/New...5/MNOs-to-close-2G-networks-from-1-April-2017.

Telstra is also shutting down their Australian 2G network next year as well. Some Chinese phones are now being produced which are dual 4G SIM phones however (3G/4G on both SIM at the same time). Hopefully Samsung will follow suit with the Note 6 and S8 dual SIM phones.

In Singapore, Samsung launched the Galaxy S7 as their first official dual SIM phone in that market (you could always get imports). Odd choice considering the 2G shutdown is imminent and they could have sold the single SIM phone if they choose to do so.

 

[Colin 2905]

Telstra is also shutting down their Australian 2G network next year as well.

December this year, actually. Then Optus next April, from memory.

 

[stoneman]

Hi guys,

I was tired of changing my SIM cards on my iPhone from my Aust card ( so people could call me on my Aust number) to my USA temporary SIM card.

There had to be a better way...

So I looked into Skype call forwarding and just did it now. It works like a charm.

I followed this link.
Skype divert

I'm sure most of you know about it, but thought I would share this for anyone else.

Thanks for sharing, what a great tip, cheers!

 

[buntingflyer]

Agree. Great tip!

 

[moa999]

There are now about 10 dual sim 4g+3g handsets available with more likely to be released this year. The Moto G4 Plus is the only one presently officially available in Australia
(There is a Wiki in the Android Phones section of the Whirlpool forums)..

I do something similar to Freq Flier 2013 but forward to a SIP DID (I also use VOIP for my home phone) so can access anywhere in the world. I use Siptalk (part of Telecube) as my SIP provider.