Re: WiFi International Calling
silver6056
Specialist - Level 1

@Weth wrote:

 

For Wi-Fi calling to work, you must be in airplane mode, i.e. all cellular connections off and only Wi-Fi working.


On a recent trip to the UK, with a Samsung rather than iPhone, I found out that this wasn't the case!

I had travel pass and used it extensively over the multi-day trip, calling both the US and the UK,

When I got my bill, I was surprised to see that while most calls were free, I was charged about $30 total for 5 or so calls.  All were marked WiFi.

I called customer service and was told that these were calls made while in the US and so weren't covered.   I pointed out that the call history showed (e.g.) a call from the UK at 7:05pm, a call from the US at 7:20pm and a call from the UK at 7:35pm.   I suggested (fairly politely) that perhaps I really was in the UK for all three calls!

 

As Weth explained, the problem is that Wifi makes it appear as if the calls originate in the US and thus cause charges when a local number is called.    The problem is that my phone seemed to be "intelligently" switching to Wifi when the signal was low.   Usually this would be a good thing to do, but with international calling, not so helpful!

Fortunately Verizon refunded the charges, but be aware that your phone might do.    I guess if you have travelpass, the thing to do is to actually turn off wifi when making calls.

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Re: WiFi International Calling
JMP5
Newbie

We were on a cruise in early November.  I had contacted Verizon both in person and online to find out what I needed to do for making phone calls.  They told me to add the travel pass and only use my phone while on the ship and turn it to airplane mode when off the ship. (We had paid for the ships wifi.)  Verizon charged me for the calls made to the U.S. on the ship through the wifi!!  They stated that I should have turned the cellular portion of the phone off.  Never did anyone tell me this.  They claim that my phone was connecting to the regular service and that is why I was charged.  Connecting to what in international waters????   I have not found any place that this is stated on the website.  The rep I spoke with about this said that it took them a very long time to find it.  Why?  This should be made clear on the website but especailly when you speak with someone in person and tell them you are going on a cruise!!  

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Re: WiFi International Calling
mama23dogs
Legend

@JMP5 wrote:

We were on a cruise in early November.  I had contacted Verizon both in person and online to find out what I needed to do for making phone calls.  They told me to add the travel pass and only use my phone while on the ship and turn it to airplane mode when off the ship. (We had paid for the ships wifi.)  Verizon charged me for the calls made to the U.S. on the ship through the wifi!!  They stated that I should have turned the cellular portion of the phone off.  Never did anyone tell me this.  They claim that my phone was connecting to the regular service and that is why I was charged.  Connecting to what in international waters????   I have not found any place that this is stated on the website.  The rep I spoke with about this said that it took them a very long time to find it.  Why?  This should be made clear on the website but especailly when you speak with someone in person and tell them you are going on a cruise!!  


It's really important when you might run up very high roaming charges to understand how that little handheld computer works, how it connects, and when a connection is going to cost you a lot of money.    

  Your smart phone is going to connect to whatever service is available unless you prevent it from doing so. If you do not disable cellular it will connect to cellular. The only way to absolutely, positively disconnect cellular service is to use airplane mode. In order to use Wi-Fi while disabling cellular the method is  Turn on airplane mode, and leave it on.  You can then turn WiFi back on.   

   

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Re: WiFi International Calling
dawg891
Enthusiast - Level 2

Now that I've been hit with my bill with international call charges, I have learned all about this issue. I am a software engineer, and I understand WHY things are working this way, but that doesn't make me any less upset with Verizon. 

It is not in any way intuitive or expected that WiFi calling, which is designed to REDUCE Verizon's expenses and improve call quality where Verizon doesn't have good service (i.e. reduce the network investment Verizon needs to make), would incur call charges over and above your existing international plan (I have TravelPass).

This is a good basis for a class action law suit.

Re: WiFi International Calling
mama23dogs
Legend

@dawg891 wrote:

Now that I've been hit with my bill with international call charges, I have learned all about this issue. I am a software engineer, and I understand WHY things are working this way, but that doesn't make me any less upset with Verizon. 

It is not in any way intuitive or expected that WiFi calling, which is designed to REDUCE Verizon's expenses and improve call quality where Verizon doesn't have good service (i.e. reduce the network investment Verizon needs to make), would incur call charges over and above your existing international plan (I have TravelPass).

This is a good basis for a class action law suit.


How do you figure?   
Wifi calling works the same way on other carriers.  
Wifi calling is just another way to connect to Verizon.  
It's VERY simple:  Wifi calling works all over the world as if you were at home.  So calling France is long distance when using WiFi calling, no matter where in the world you are.  
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/wifi-calling-faqs/

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Re: WiFi International Calling
samidhadnaik
Enthusiast - Level 1

I am in similar situation twice. Last month I had called and asked them to cancel all international calling on my service, it is still there (they in fact charged me 8$ for services provided to my card). 

This month, I made few calls to flight services which was auto directed to UK device because USA number wasn't working. During this COVID19 situation where work isn't option, I am being asked to pay charges which I opted out. 

I am not in any situation to pay more than my usual monthly charges and here I am trying to convince un-conceivable people. I am trying to call them from India and they are putting on hold all time. I need help from Verizon support. This is highly unfair asking to pay charges when they had cancelled plan calling before hand. I am going to be in India until this pandemic issues are resolved, what then are you going to call me all months until then?.

 

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Re: WiFi International Calling
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

This isn't the type of experience we want for you. We'd like to access your account to better assist you. We've sent you a private message to get started.

 

ChristianP_VZW

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JONANT36
Enthusiast - Level 1
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Re: WiFi International Calling
cionar
Newbie

This is not true, @mama23dogs. With VZW Wi-Fi enabled, even when you think cellular is off and that you're using actual Wi-Fi, Verizon will actually switch you to THEIR Wi-Fi and charge you. It seems the only real way to make sure they aren't charging you is to switch to another provider.

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Re: WiFi International Calling
kh-taylarie
Khoros Partner
Khoros Partner

Due to the age of this thread, it will be locked in order to keep discussions current. If you have the same or a similar question/issue we invite you to start a new thread on the topic.

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