How can AT&T charge me to use WiFi while I'm abroad?
Knowing that AT&T is a global network, I was curious about what it would look like to use my phone internationally if they're my carrier. I came across their Passport Packages information, which states that if I want to use WiFi in another country at all (this was clarified by an AT&T representative) I would have to pay for the $60 package at a minimum.
If AT&T isn't the provider of the WiFi to which I'm trying to connect, how can they charge their customers to use it?
Best Answer
Here is a clear case of the representative being asked a question they don't know the answer to. As others have pointed out, their training is minimal.
They are not allowed to admit not knowing except in very extreme cases as that would be bad for the corporate image.
If they say "It will be free" and is wrong, the customer (you) will be very very angry and sue AT&T and maybe even switch providers. Big bad risk.
If they say "It will cost you." and is wrong, the customer will be annoyed at first but might be pleasantly surprised when the bill comes. Small risk.
They will go with the small risk.
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Will I be charged if I use WiFi in another country?
Nope. Definitely the best way to avoid international roaming charges while abroad is to simply switch to airplane mode. Don't freak out when WiFi and Bluetooth stop working, you just need to switch them back on manually.How can I use WiFi only when traveling abroad?
Last Resort: Go Wi-Fi Only If you can't get an international plan for your destination, the safest option is to turn off data roaming entirely. In iOS, the toggle switch is under Settings > Cellular. In Android, it's under Settings > Wireless & Networks > Data Usage.How can I avoid AT&T international charges?
Turn OFF all the Background Apps or you may simply switch them to Wi-Fi. For Android: Go to settings, connections, and then Data Usage. Turn ON Data Saver. Next, just pick background applications that you want them to utilize data.Is AT&T Wi-Fi Calling free internationally?
Here's what you'll pay for Wi-Fi calls with our international roaming add-ons: AT&T International Day Pass\xae: Your daily fee includes Wi-Fi Calling to over 210 destinations. AT&T Passport\xae: Wi-Fi calls are billed at the low Passport per-minute rate.Freddie Mercury - How Can I Go On
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Answer 2
Unless you have a phone the manufacturer of which has partnered with AT&T to only allow you to use Wi-Fi if you paid a ransom to AT&T (which would be very, very, very, surprising, and would most certainly only be the case for an AT&T-branded phone), as others have said, you are free to connect to any Wi-Fi network you like, and the "package" is most certainly only to use their partners' Wi-Fi networks (which you would normally have paid for through other means).
You can easily check: if you are able to connect to any Wi-Fi network (home, office, public Wi-Fi...) in your home country, it'll be the same when abroad.
Answer 3
Last year we spent a month in SE Asia. Our flights were routed through Tokyo & Singapore. With an AT&T SIM in our phones, we were able to connect to WiFi in both places with no problems, and no extra charges on our bill.
Digression: Now, once we got into each country we visited, I'd purchase at least one local SIM and tuck the AT&T SIM for that phone into a safe place. Then I'd turn on a WiFi hotspot so my wife could connect her phone or Ipad and use my phone's data plan.
Singapore in particular has a killer deal for tourists, a SIM with100GB of data for a month for $10, but SIMs were cheap everywhere we went with varying data plans.
Answer 4
When your handset first talks to the phone company's cell tower, there's an authentication procedure. For example, your phone or its SIM card may have been blacklisted as stolen, or you could simply be too far behind on paying the bill. So at that point, whatever arrangement between Foreign Telecom (if you connected to their tower) and AT&T kicks in, or AT&T’s own rules, if it is one of there towers.
Basically they can charge what they please, subject to government regulation. I'm not sure I understand the question.
[EDIT: Although the OP is discussing WiFi, the package he refers to is for texts and calls.]
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