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Going to China: Got the AT&T international data plan for a few days...Automatic?

I

iHavequestions

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 23, 2011
279
15
I got the international data plan. Just wondering if there are any settings to tinker with when I get there, or does it automagically start working? I only got it for 5 days so it's not that expensive! :)

Also, I wonder what the coverage/speed is like there...

Can you get blocked sites like Facebook since you're on your home carrier?
 
If it does do it automatically it will cost more than your plan ticket!

I would look into getting a cheap unlocked smart phone and buying a local prepaid SIM
 
No changes needed. Just remember that if you terminate the plan before the billing cycle is over or enable the after the billing cycle has started - it's prorated for both the data amounts and the charge.

IE - turning the 125mb plan on when you only have 15 days left in your current cycle will only give you about 62mb of data. So be careful if you are trying to avoid overage fees.
 
Diode said:
No changes needed. Just remember that if you terminate the plan before the billing cycle is over or enable the after the billing cycle has started - it's prorated for both the data amounts and the charge.

IE - turning the 125mb plan on when you only have 15 days left in your current cycle will only give you about 62mb of data. So be careful if you are trying to avoid overage fees.
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Hmm. They said they give you the full amount of data. Weird.

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iHavequestions said:
Hmm. They said they give you the full amount of data. Weird.
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My billing cycle starts on the 11th. I am using it only from 22nd to 26th.
 
iHavequestions said:
Hmm. They said they give you the full amount of data. Weird.

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My billing cycle starts on the 11th. I am using it only from 22nd to 26th.
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They do NOT give you a full month. It follows your cycle, and as he said it's prorated.
The rates you quoted don't sound right either.

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iHavequestions said:
It only costs $17 for 275MB for 5 days.
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275mb is $99 dollars.
 
LapsangSouchong said:
They do NOT give you a full month. It follows your cycle, and as he said it's prorated.
The rates you quoted don't sound right either.

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275mb is $99 dollars.
Click to expand...

My guess is the rep quoted him the pro-rated price for 5 days of use on the 275MB plan but did not quote him that the data would also be prorated - or about 45MB of data for that plan for 5 days.
 
LapsangSouchong said:
They do NOT give you a full month. It follows your cycle, and as he said it's prorated.
The rates you quoted don't sound right either.

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275mb is $99 dollars.
Click to expand...

$99/30 * 5 = $16.5 ... so, it does look like the rep quoted him a prorated charge for 5 days! :)
 
Diode said:
My guess is the rep quoted him the pro-rated price for 5 days of use on the 275MB plan but did not quote him that the data would also be prorated - or about 45MB of data for that plan for 5 days.
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Exactly. I just don't want him, or anyone else thinking roaming rates are that reasonable.... because they aren't.
 
Diode said:
My guess is the rep quoted him the pro-rated price for 5 days of use on the 275MB plan but did not quote him that the data would also be prorated - or about 45MB of data for that plan for 5 days.
Click to expand...

I called AT&T again just to make sure, and the second representative said the same thing. The cost is prorated and the data isn't. So I get the full 275MB for the 5 days for that cost.
 
iHavequestions said:
I called AT&T again just to make sure, and the second representative said the same thing. The cost is prorated and the data isn't. So I get the full 275MB for the 5 days for that cost.
Click to expand...

While I'm not doubting the reps are telling you this, I'd have them note the account so you can be credited when you go over because that's not how it works in their system. Both data and the cost are prorated for any feature on AT&T and going over the pro-rated amounts will subject you to overage fees.

I can show you SS's of the international package prorated on my bill if you really care to see it.
 
Diode said:
While I'm not doubting the reps are telling you this, I'd have them note the account so you can be credited when you go over because that's not how it works in their system. Both data and the cost are prorated for any feature on AT&T and going over the pro-rated amounts will subject you to overage fees.

I can show you SS's of the international package prorated on my bill if you really care to see it.
Click to expand...

Maybe you're looking at the roaming charges? You guys are scaring me... lol
Maybe I'll just keep my iPhone off altogether when I am there.
 
iHavequestions said:
Also, I wonder what the coverage/speed is like there...

Can you get blocked sites like Facebook since you're on your home carrier?
Click to expand...

Listen to others on the pro-rating. You will not get the full plan for a partial month's payment.

I was just in Shenzen and Beijing - coverage and speed in both is decent. In most cases it was as good or better than ATT in the US. I used Skype to make and receive calls as I still have unlimited international - call quality was decent. There is little to no coverage in the metro. I was spoiled by ubiquitous 3G in Hong Kong before I went to the mainland.

And yes, since your data comes back to the US to go out you are not subject to the Great Firewall. I had no problem accessing anything I liked via the cellular network.

Depending on your usage habits, the 45 MB you would buy for the prorated month might be enough for you. Certainly if you only use email and light Facebook usage you would be ok. I heavily used my data plan for Skype and regular data, downloading apps, maps, etc. and used 56 MB per day while overseas. My usage there was several times my regular domestic usage as I am on Wifi at work and home.

One suggestion would be to set up a GV or Skype-In number and set all-call-forwarding to it before you leave - if anyone calls you it will be forwarded on the US side and will not incur any roaming charges. If a call does come to your phone, even if it goes to VM, you will pay international roaming for it.

Incoming texts will come our of your regular plan but sending texts will be $0.25-$0.50 depending on your plan. (This is another good thing about GV - you can text to/from US and some international destinations for free over data)
 
slykens said:
Listen to others on the pro-rating. You will not get the full plan for a partial month's payment.

I was just in Shenzen and Beijing - coverage and speed in both is decent. In most cases it was as good or better than ATT in the US. I used Skype to make and receive calls as I still have unlimited international - call quality was decent. There is little to no coverage in the metro. I was spoiled by ubiquitous 3G in Hong Kong before I went to the mainland.

And yes, since your data comes back to the US to go out you are not subject to the Great Firewall. I had no problem accessing anything I liked via the cellular network.

Depending on your usage habits, the 45 MB you would buy for the prorated month might be enough for you. Certainly if you only use email and light Facebook usage you would be ok. I heavily used my data plan for Skype and regular data, downloading apps, maps, etc. and used 56 MB per day while overseas. My usage there was several times my regular domestic usage as I am on Wifi at work and home.

One suggestion would be to set up a GV or Skype-In number and set all-call-forwarding to it before you leave - if anyone calls you it will be forwarded on the US side and will not incur any roaming charges. If a call does come to your phone, even if it goes to VM, you will pay international roaming for it.

Incoming texts will come our of your regular plan but sending texts will be $0.25-$0.50 depending on your plan. (This is another good thing about GV - you can text to/from US and some international destinations for free over data)
Click to expand...

Great info. Thank you.
 
slykens said:
And yes, since your data comes back to the US to go out you are not subject to the Great Firewall. I had no problem accessing anything I liked via the cellular network.
Click to expand...


I'm guessing this is because the iPhone's APNs are pointed at AT&T so they go there even when roaming, though I would think that the carrier in China would still be going some sort of blocking/monitoring.

In any case, maybe I'm just stupid paranoid, but if I were going there and using data on my iPhone, I'd connect to a stateside VPN if I could. Most employers have 'em, if you're traveling on business, and if not then there's personal VPN services that can be had for cheap. Some VPNs even do some basic lossless compression, which might reduce your data usage a little.
 
If you're concerned about data usage look into Onavo - it compresses the data going into and out of your phone.

Worked great when I was in Europe.
 
scaredpoet said:
I'm guessing this is because the iPhone's APNs are pointed at AT&T so they go there even when roaming, though I would think that the carrier in China would still be going some sort of blocking/monitoring.

In any case, maybe I'm just stupid paranoid, but if I were going there and using data on my iPhone, I'd connect to a stateside VPN if I could. Most employers have 'em, if you're traveling on business, and if not then there's personal VPN services that can be had for cheap. Some VPNs even do some basic lossless compression, which might reduce your data usage a little.
Click to expand...

Yes, it did concern me that the packet data is not encrypted from my device to the AP in the US, however, I didn't do anything of interest unencrypted over that connection, unless they really want to see my Facebook updates and pics. It would have been somewhat impractical to run my VPN all the time on the phone. As mentioned, this packet data is not filtered (but I am sure it is monitored).

I believe it is possible for the carrier to "locally" terminate the packet data directly to their closest internet connection regardless of the APN configuration but in my experience (where I've been) it always goes back to ATT to be delivered to the internet. This option would be defined in the roaming agreement.

Any work I did was via an any/any VPN to my office from the hotel's broadband. This was also very helpful as geo-locating sites would then recognize me as being in the US instead of presenting a Chinese page for me to try to figure out. :)
 
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