Any one have experience with International Wireless plans

scraptag
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Any one have experience with International Wireless plans May 27, 2015 19:10:05 GMT

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Post by scraptag on May 27, 2015 19:10:05 GMT

My DD will be traveling to Ecuador for most of June completing a Spanish language immersion program.

I want her to be able to communicate with us and have never done anything with an international data plan before. She will have Wifi while at the school in the afternoons, but is not guaranteed to have it while with her host family.

We have AT&T and I have looked at their website - but have been warned by some experienced travelers that sometimes international plans don't work all that great.

So - I am wondering if anyone here has some experience or can offer suggestions on how best to stay in contact with her while she is away.

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calgal08
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Any one have experience with International Wireless plans May 27, 2015 19:23:02 GMT

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Post by calgal08 on May 27, 2015 19:23:02 GMT

Check into Hangouts, I think it's a google plan (dh set it up for me). I used to use a calling card when I called my folks each week in England, after a huge cell phone bill I realized the card didn't always work. With Hangouts I only pay 6c per minute and my account was set up to automatically add $$ when funds get low.

Dictionary
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Any one have experience with International Wireless plans May 27, 2015 19:40:08 GMT

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Post by Dictionary on May 27, 2015 19:40:08 GMT

When I went overseas I used email to communicate, way cheaper than calls and text messages.
First she needs to have a phone that allows for international calling and secondly if AT&T offers service in Ecuador.
If given all that you are fine, you just need to turn it on for international use. If AT&T doesn't support that area then you would need to find out who does and you can buy a sim card through them but again, does the phone and AT&T allow for that. And even if they do there is no guarantee it will work but you should still be able to email. With email you just need a data plan and have a phone that will support international use. Best way is to go speak to a rep at AT&T.

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ingrid6
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Any one have experience with International Wireless plans May 27, 2015 19:46:13 GMT

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Post by ingrid6 on May 27, 2015 19:46:13 GMT

We have AT&T as our carrier and for under $3.50 per month we added international calling (my family lives in Holland). The per minute cost is very reasonable. I believe our rate is 5cents per minute.

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