Google Voice

kjmff5 · Mar 28, 2012

How does this work.
Let's say I am going to Spain for 2 months. I have a GV account with a California area code number. While I'm in Spain, if I use my GV app to make calls to USA numbers
1. Will it be free?
2. Does it have to be GV to GV to be free?
3. Does GV to non-GV numbers work for free or do I have to pay?
3. What about texts?

Thanks in advance!

miles01110 · Mar 29, 2012

1) No.
2) N/A
3) N/A
4) Texts are not free either (if you send them from a cellular connection).

Google Voice is just a forwarding number. Dialing from a foreign SIM card using your Google Voice number will probably cost you a lot more, because first it will dial to Google's (US) PBX and then to the final destination. The first leg will result in a long distance charge.

If you use the web interface texting will be free.

Bobby.e · Mar 29, 2012

miles01110 said:
1) No.
2) N/A
3) N/A
4) Texts are not free either (if you send them from a cellular connection).

Google Voice is just a forwarding number. Dialing from a foreign SIM card using your Google Voice number will probably cost you a lot more, because first it will dial to Google's (US) PBX and then to the final destination. The first leg will result in a long distance charge.

If you use the web interface texting will be free.

If they are using a computer they can call right from gmail.

miles01110 · Mar 29, 2012

Bobby.e said:
If they are using a computer they can call right from gmail.

Sure, with a VPN back to the States.

kjmff5 · Mar 29, 2012

Okay I guess I forgot to mention, I will be using my iPhone in Airplane mode, with Wifi on. It will still have the USA AT&T SIM card in it, but it will not be activated to have an international plan.
What about now? So I will only be using WiFi to make calls.

justinfreid · Mar 29, 2012

kjmff5 said:
How does this work.
Let's say I am going to Spain for 2 months. I have a GV account with a California area code number. While I'm in Spain, if I use my GV app to make calls to USA numbers
1. Will it be free?
2. Does it have to be GV to GV to be free?
3. Does GV to non-GV numbers work for free or do I have to pay?
3. What about texts?

Thanks in advance!

You'll be able to send and receive texts as you normally would, for free.
You can't use the Google Voice iOS app to make pure VOIP calls, remember, so if your phone is Airplane Mode in the USA or Spain it doesn't make a difference: calls won't work.
You can use a VPN and Google Voice dialing to Google Talk to make free calls to US numbers while abroad.

ADR · Dec 12, 2012

miles01110 said:
Sure, with a VPN back to the States.

I know this thread is older, but the information is all wrong.

You can make calls to the United States from a US GV for free, without a VPN, using gmail on a computer.

I have been doing it now for over 2 years.

Texts can be sent using the GV app, no problem, for free.

You can make GV calls for free on an iPhone using Talkatone. The program is pretty crappy though.

53x12 · Dec 12, 2012

kjmff5 said:
Okay I guess I forgot to mention, I will be using my iPhone in Airplane mode, with Wifi on. It will still have the USA AT&T SIM card in it, but it will not be activated to have an international plan.
What about now? So I will only be using WiFi to make calls.

I did that on a trip to Argentina and it worked perfectly. Had cellular data off, airplane mode on. Then at a hotel or cafe would turn on wifi. We had Skype credits for free international calls so used Skype to call my wife's and my family several times. Worked out super well. I have not used google voice but assume it is similar where you need to pay for credits/minutes. Or you could just webcam?

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