Cellular reception without activation?

[hologram]

I originally bought my AW4 for the fall detection (but now I can’t imagine life without it.) I’m retired, live alone (with my dogs), my property is on the side of a hill, and I’ve managed to take a hard fall or two every year, especially when it’s icy outside.

I got the non-cellular version because I thought I’d always have my phone with me and I wouldn’t use cellular enough to make it worthwhile, but I understand that the cellular version will still make 911 emergency calls even without activating a monthly plan. if I get a cellular watch and don’t activate it, will the signal just go through the nearest cell tower without regard to a particular carrier, and would it be as reliable as if it went through my phone carrier? I don’t always remember to take the phone when I take the dogs out and, being hilly, not all carriers are reliable here. 😄

 

[barbu]

I originally bought my AW4 for the fall detection (but now I can’t imagine life without it.) I’m retired, live alone (with my dogs), my property is on the side of a hill, and I’ve managed to take a hard fall or two every year, especially when it’s icy outside.

I got the non-cellular version because I thought I’d always have my phone with me and I wouldn’t use cellular enough to make it worthwhile, but I understand that the cellular version will still make 911 emergency calls even without activating a monthly plan. if I get a cellular watch and don’t activate it, will the signal just go through the nearest cell tower without regard to a particular carrier, and would it be as reliable as if it went through my phone carrier? I don’t always remember to take the phone when I take the dogs out and, being hilly, not all carriers are reliable here. 😄

I do know that, by law, any phone *must* be able to call 9-1-1. You do not need a plan, a carrier, or even a SIM card. So I would say you would be OK without a plan. This might be something to clarify with Apple, since 9-1-1 operators generally frown upon live testing. I guess you could immediately identify that there is no emergency and you are testing but they may still be grumpy about it. But Apple should have a good idea how their product works.

 

[oeagleo]

It's my belief that it will, indeed send an emergency message with a situation incident, and your coordinates to the 911 service in your area. However, luckily, I have not had a chance to test this, but that's what I've seen in forums, discussions, etc. online.

 

[sjinsjca]

It will dial 911 without activation on any US network without activation. The Series 5 will do so in most other countries as well.

 

[hologram]

Thanks for the replies! Guess my next watch will be cellular without activation.