Does your US Cellphone and provider work in Philippines

[Falcon Cara 378]

I have a MetroPCS Prepaid US account, for some reason when I was able to log into the internet mostly at the hotels, I could use my US cellphone and provider just like I was in the US and call quality was excellent.  Now I only called US numbers and texted US numbers.

 

Is this normal?

[John & Rose 7,239]

Be VERY careful.  I made that mistake the first time and AT&T charged me $1200.  We worked it out but since them I bought one of those international hot spots.  It was aweful in the Philippines on the last trip.  I'm not sure it ever connected.  You can also do the local SIM but that loses your phone number for calls and texts.

[payxibka 10,047]

14 minutes ago, Falcon Cara said:

I have a MetroPCS Prepaid US account, for some reason when I was able to log into the internet mostly at the hotels, I could use my US cellphone and provider just like I was in the US and call quality was excellent.  Now I only called US numbers and texted US numbers.

 

Is this normal?

Were you using wifi calling?

[Commish10 427]

I have Verizon prepaid. For $10/day, i have wifi, texts, and can makes calls. 

[Hank_ 9,174]

I use google voice for my (U.S. ) phone service when in the Phils, that way I have a U.S. number and I can call or text anyone in the USA or Canada for free.  All I need is internet 

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 2019 by Hank_

[Falcon Cara 378]

6 hours ago, payxibka said:

Were you using wifi calling?

Yes

 

 

[Falcon Cara 378]

6 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Be VERY careful.  I made that mistake the first time and AT&T charged me $1200.  We worked it out but since them I bought one of those international hot spots.  It was aweful in the Philippines on the last trip.  I'm not sure it ever connected.  You can also do the local SIM but that loses your phone number for calls and texts.

Mine is prepaid, I pay the amount and it is good for one month, I pay $45 per month which gives me unlimited calling and texting including international text, but not international calls, and unlimited data.

 

 

[Falcon Cara 378]

5 hours ago, Hank_ said:

I use google voice for my (U.S. ) phone service when in the Phils, that way I have a U.S. number and I can call or text anyone in the USA or Canada for free.  All I need is internet 

 

 

 

I always just take a unlocked phone and when I get to the airport I buy a smart load.

 

After you get you luggage and right before you enter the main exit at Terminal 3 they sell load,   Now of days you get a free SIM card when you buy load, I told them I was staying 30 days and I for 1500 peso I got unlimited talk to any network, unlimited text to any network and like 230 minutes free international calling for a month.

 

This trip for some reason my US phone was working like a champ if I wanted to use wifi and call back home or text. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

We use Google FI.  Mary is there now, data is $10 a gig, voice roaming is .20 and text is free. She uses wifi where possible.  $35 for two lines includes unlimited calls and text stateside.

 

Works worldwide expect in Nepal, so far.   If you want a $20 off referral code PM me.

[Russ&MaryAnn 110]

When I’m in the Philippines I get local SIM card (Globe) and do prepaid loads; using my US iPhone. That way I have access to my email, contacts etc

[suss6052 32]

T-mobile works for unlimited data roaming but only at 2G speeds with no extra charge. It's slow but it's still functional on either globe or smart.

[Falcon Cara 378]

9 hours ago, suss6052 said:

T-mobile works for unlimited data roaming but only at 2G speeds with no extra charge. It's slow but it's still functional on either globe or smart.

MetroPCS was purchased by T-Mobile couple years ago, but data don't work in Philippines, I tried last year.

[Enemyz 4]

Sprint has free texting and unlimited 2g data, 25 cents for calling. You can also buy high speed passes