Will a dual sim phone solve my needs? Please share your thoughts

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Nov 20th, 2019 8:56 pm

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Nov 15th, 2019 1:15 pm

valuemortgage [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 1, 2015; 1968 posts; 927 upvotes; Etobicoke, ON

Nov 15th, 2019 1:15 pm

Will a dual sim phone solve my needs? Please share your thoughts

Hey folks. I posted a similar thread last year but things have changed a bit, so Im trying again. What Im trying to accomplish is a scenario where I minimize my costs and have a reliable solution, while spending some time outside Canada. I will be in Europe for about 3 to 6 months, mainly in Portugal and Spain, and would like to keep my current Fido # active but avoid roaming charges. My thoughts were :

A - Get a dual sim phone like the Samsung A10, put my Fido # on a no data plan (calls and text only) and get a local provider in Portugal with voice and data, and setup that line to be the data one. Forward my Fido calls to a Fongo # I have had for a while, which (I think) would be fine since the PT cell plan has data and I can even use the phone to make Fido calls over WIFI calling.

B - Another option was to port my Fido # to Fongo or VOIP.MS. Would work similar to above but I would not be able to use the phone in Canada (if I do not have a Fido plan anymore) and would always rely on data to use my canadian #

Any suggestions? This "temporary" need may extend for a longer period, depending on other factors which I dont have any control of.... I may stay in PT a bit longer, so need something flexible.

Life can be good

10 replies

Nov 15th, 2019 1:54 pm

Keigotw: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2003; 17010 posts; 5499 upvotes; Markham

Nov 15th, 2019 1:54 pm

Fido call forward is no free, is pay per use
or you can get call Forward add on

best just port # to Fongo
and then use Fongo App in PT

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Nov 15th, 2019 2:36 pm

valuemortgage [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 1, 2015; 1968 posts; 927 upvotes; Etobicoke, ON

Nov 15th, 2019 2:36 pm

Cal forwarding would not be a main concern as my current plan has 2500 free minutes of forwarded calls per month. The option to port can be considered but as I mentioned it would make this a permanent thing, so any option not including porting the # would be preferred.

Life can be good

Nov 15th, 2019 5:13 pm

Tobsterboi: Sr. Member; Oct 17, 2010; 786 posts; 482 upvotes; Terrace

Nov 15th, 2019 5:13 pm

I had fongo for a while but for some odd reasons i do miss phone calls here and there (i'm using android). If you'd prefer to use call forwarding you can get textnow app which i'm currently using right now. I'm physically in Asia at the moment and I'm getting all my calls.

Nov 15th, 2019 7:39 pm

batcave: Deal Fanatic; Nov 14, 2003; 6266 posts; 4881 upvotes; LaLaLand

Nov 15th, 2019 7:39 pm

I think a dual SIM phone will only solve your dilemma if Fido is free incoming calls/texts worldwide. If you turn on your Fido service outside of Canada and you get texts or calls, you will likely incur roaming charges unless it is free incoming worldwide.

Nov 16th, 2019 8:37 am

valuemortgage [OP]: Deal Addict; Dec 1, 2015; 1968 posts; 927 upvotes; Etobicoke, ON

Nov 16th, 2019 8:37 am

batcave wrote: ↑ I think a dual SIM phone will only solve your dilemma if Fido is free incoming calls/texts worldwide. If you turn on your Fido service outside of Canada and you get texts or calls, you will likely incur roaming charges unless it is free incoming worldwide.

What if I take the calls using WIFI calling only? The data would be supplied by the other provider in PT. Does that make sense?

Life can be good

Nov 16th, 2019 1:19 pm

Jedi14: Member; Aug 23, 2014; 461 posts; 239 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Nov 16th, 2019 1:19 pm

batcave wrote: ↑ I think a dual SIM phone will only solve your dilemma if Fido is free incoming calls/texts worldwide. If you turn on your Fido service outside of Canada and you get texts or calls, you will likely incur roaming charges unless it is free incoming worldwide.

Incoming calls, as long as you don’t answer the call (or if you just let it go into voicemail), you will not get charged for roaming. Same thing with text messages - incoming text messages are no charge, but you pay when you send a text message. This is with Rogers (so likely same with Fido). Not sure with other providers, ymmv.

+1

Nov 16th, 2019 1:32 pm

Jedi14: Member; Aug 23, 2014; 461 posts; 239 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Nov 16th, 2019 1:32 pm

valuemortgage wrote: ↑ What if I take the calls using WIFI calling only? The data would be supplied by the other provider in PT. Does that make sense?

If you take and make outgoing calls using wifi only, then no charge, but you need to make sure it will use wifi and the only way to make sure of this is to put your canadian number/sim on airplane mode (if that’s possible).

I’m planning to get a dual sim phone too (iphone xr) for the same reasons as you. I’ve been researching this as well. My plan is to use wifi calling whenever possible. If wifi is not available, I plan to use Viber out (C$5/mo)+ local data plan for outgoing calls to canadian numbers so the person I’m calling will still see my canadian number in their caller id display, not an international number.

Nov 16th, 2019 7:05 pm

batcave: Deal Fanatic; Nov 14, 2003; 6266 posts; 4881 upvotes; LaLaLand

Nov 16th, 2019 7:05 pm

valuemortgage wrote: ↑ What if I take the calls using WIFI calling only? The data would be supplied by the other provider in PT. Does that make sense?

That makes sense. I know TMobile (US) WiFi calling works with the phone on airplane mode but only with a phone purchased from TMobile and with the TMobile sim card inserted. I'm not sure how this works with Rogers/Fido.

I assume you use an iPhone(?) with esim as they do not sell Android dual SIM phone.

Jedi14 wrote: ↑ If you take and make outgoing calls using wifi only, then no charge, but you need to make sure it will use wifi and the only way to make sure of this is to put your canadian number/sim on airplane mode (if that’s possible).

I’m planning to get a dual sim phone too (iphone xr) for the same reasons as you. I’ve been researching this as well. My plan is to use wifi calling whenever possible. If wifi is not available, I plan to use Viber out (C$5/mo)+ local data plan for outgoing calls to canadian numbers so the person I’m calling will still see my canadian number in their caller id display, not an international number.

Is it possible to use wifi calling on a phone (dual or single sim) not purchased from Rogers/Fido?

Nov 17th, 2019 6:28 am

Devhux: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2014; 2871 posts; 1871 upvotes; Calgary

Nov 17th, 2019 6:28 am

batcave wrote: ↑
Is it possible to use wifi calling on a phone (dual or single sim) not purchased from Rogers/Fido?

Generally, no. Pixels and iPhones, maybe - but unless you somehow find a rep who's willing to add an unknown (to Rogers) IMEI and get it registered, WiFi Calling & VoLTE likely won't work.

Nov 20th, 2019 8:56 pm

ma678: Deal Addict; May 23, 2008; 2552 posts; 565 upvotes; Vaughan, Ontario

Nov 20th, 2019 8:56 pm

iPhones and pixel 3 and up will get wifi calling and VoLTE as long as they are unlocked from Canadian carriers.

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