Avoid Out of the Country (roaming) Charges?

Visual voicemail is downloaded to the iPhone via the EDGE or data network - not by iPhone calling itself - but if Data Roaming is turned off, it requires calling to access any voicemail messages but this isn't or shouldn't be automatic and without your knowledge. Are these calls available in the iPhone's recent call list?

Putting your iPhone in Aircraft Mode should disable both the phone and the WiFi so you shouldn't get billed for anything in this mode, however you won't be able to access the Internet either. If you want to access the Internet the best bet is to turn Data Roaming to 'Off', this is found under General -> Network -> Data Roaming. This should stop your iPhone trying to register itself with any overseas networks using EDGE or GPRS to download e-mail and so forth, but still allow you to access WiFi if you can find it (hopefully free in your hotel). If you are sure you don't want your phone features I would turn off your voicemail as well to avoid retrieving messages whilst abroad.
Hopefully someone who has tried this abroad can chime in to confirm the above.
Enjoy your trip
FlatE 🙂

If you are running 1.1.2, data roaming is off by default with the iPhone but this won't prevent receiving calls or SMS.

Where did you hear about using Airplane Mode doesn't always work? The FAA and all airlines would definitely be interested in this but Airplane Mode turns off all radios - cell, bluetooth and WiFi so I don't know how this would not always work when all iPhone radios are off/disabled.

You can remove the iPhone's SIM card which ensures no phone features - placing/receiving calls, SMS or internet/data access via a cellular network is not possible but doesn't prevent Wi-Fi access - using Airplane Mode turns off Wi-Wi reception also. If someone said or you heard this doesn't always work either, please provide a link where you acquired this information.

One other thing to keep in mind...even with Data Roaming turned off you can still incur non data charges that are unwanted. I just got back from the UK and was disappointed to see that my phone would call itself (I guess for voicemail??) a few times a day. Not the end of the world but at $.99 a minute three times a day for 12 days it can add up.

So if you are not expecting calls or have a desire to make calls I would recommend, as others here have, take out the sim card, your pocket book with love you for it!!!

FatherTime

Yes it was my understanding VV was downloaded via edge as well...I thought this was how it worked out of network. There were no calls in the recent calls list, only on the bill. Maybe I should make a call to ATT and see what is up.

FatherTime

Yes it was my understanding VV was downloaded via edge as well...I thought this was how it worked out of network.

Visual voicemail IS downloaded to the iPhone via the EDGE or data network ONLY. If data roaming is turned off when roaming internationally, visual voicemail will not be available and requires calling the old fashioned way to check and listen to any available voicemail.

Did you receive any visual voicemail messages during this time - when data roaming was disabled?

And if these calls are not in the iPhone's recent calls list, I would definitely give AT&T a call about these charges. The iPhone does not automatically call itself.

Yep so I guess I was way wrong...those were actually incoming calls, not outgoing and your phone number acts as a place holder when no number is available (i.e. during some incoming international calls or blocked number calls).

Sorry for the erroneous info MRP, and good luck on your trip.

I guess you do learn something everyday!

FaatherTime

With 1.1.2, data roaming is off by default and must be turned on.

You will be able to place and receive calls and the same for SMS but visual voicemail cannot be downloaded to the iPhone without data access over the cellular network.

You will be able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi for email access - sending and receiving and for web browsing but when not connected via Wi-Fi and with data roaming off, you should receive an error message when trying to check email or for any internet access - such as EDGE cannot be accessed, etc.

Doing so with data roaming enabled and you will be charged for data downloaded and uploaded.

I'm a pilot who flies internationally. Just click your data roaming to off. You'll be set. With the ATT Int'l Plan you are limited to 20M per month of data (not very much). Most of us pilots do two things when we depart the US. We go to Usage and reset the info. We then know how much we've downloaded each day. Secondly we ensure the data roaming is off. I use the WiFi exclusively when traveling (Europe, Central America, South America, Asia). I also purchased Tmobile Hotspot membership which works most everywhere I go. You can also look at Boingo to see where they've partnered. Don't be afraid to turn on the dataroaming...just be cautious when using it since it won't take long to burn through 20M and get a horrendous bill. Just a couple Safari searches and/or the Maps feature and you'll hit 20M.

A single post in that long thread?

Airplane Mode turns off all iPhone radios - for calls/data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - required by airlines in order to use other functions included with device while flying. By chance this didn't work for one person in that long thread you are referring to would mean their iPhone was defective but you can always test this yourself before leaving the country. Turn Airplane Mode on and try to place a call, send an SMS, check your email accounts, visit a website with Safari or any function requiring internet access to confirm that it works.

Data Roaming is off by default with the 1.1.2 update which doesn't prevent Wi-Fi access which is a completely separate function so when not connected via Wi-Fi, an error message will be provided when trying to use an iPhone function that requires internet access. This does not prevent being able to place/receive calls or SMS but visual voicemail cannot be downloaded to the iPhone when voicemail is available when data roaming is off.

Sampson that is great news for myself and the original poster MRP if you are correct. I will call them and let you know what they say.

FT