Can I Use Boost Mobile Wi-Fi Calling while Overseas?

Using Boost Mobile WiFi Calling While Abroad

If you’re preparing to jet off overseas, you know that the options for international roaming can be expensive. Buying a local SIM card used to be the option, but this means losing access to your Australian mobile number. WiFi calling is the easiest and most cost-effective choice for wayward globetrotters. 

What is WiFi Calling?

WiFi calling is simply a service that uses an Internet connection to let you make and receive high quality voice and video calls. Although the name implies over a Wi-Fi network, it can be over any Internet connection.

Apps like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WeChat or Viber use Wi-Fi (Internet data) to make calls and send messages. Although these services are great, Wi-Fi calling is your best option because you don’t need to download an app or connect to a service, it’s already right there in your phone. No need to tediously make an account and having to remember your login info. You don’t need to add in your contacts like you do with Skype, and your friends back home can receive your call without also having to download the app, which can be annoying and time-consuming. With Wi-Fi calling, you can make calls and send messages just like you do at home.

So what's the catch? Currently, only Telstra and Boost Mobile allow you to use WiFi calling while you are overseas.

You can use the following methods to access Boost Mobile Wi-Fi calling:

• FREE Wi-Fi found in many restaurants, hotels, and most public areas
• A portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Using a 2nd SIM Card or eSIM with a dual SIM phone (iPhone XR

Advantages to using Boost Mobile Wi-Fi calling on your holiday:

• WiFi calls to and from your Boost Mobile to Australia are free
• People will call your Australian number as normal
• Calls made will present your Australian Caller ID
• WiFi texts to and from your your Boost Mobile to Australia are free.
• You don’t need to worry about extra charges or going over your limit

Though there are potentially many choices for communication on your international trip, Boost Mobile Wi-Fi calling is the the simplest and easiest way to enjoy staying connected without having to worry about only one you don’t have to worry about buying or installing. It’s free, practical, and easy to use. Check if your carrier is compatible today, and bon voyage!

 **Boost Mobile has discontinued International Roaming from 13 October 2020**

Boost Mobile recently added the Boost Mobile International Roaming Recharge becoming one of the first prepaid providers in Australia to do so. 

The recharge is available in 15 countries:

USA, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, UK, New Zealand.

AUD $60 | 5GB of Data | 30 Call Minutes | 100 SMS

You receive 30 minutes of inbound/outbound calls & 100 SMS for 14 days. Importantly you receive 5GB of data which is quite generous compared to other offers in the marketplace.

Once you exceed the limit you will trigger another $60 payment for 5GB of data that is valid for 14 days.

The drawback with Boost Mobile's International Recharge is that it only covers 15 countries. If you are travelling to other destinations that are not covered, you will not be able to access data which is highly inconvenient.

If you were flying with Emirates and had a stopover in Dubai (or anywhere else in the Middle East) you'd have to seek out another option to stay connected.

If you were planning to stay in Italy on your trip through Europe with your Boost Mobile service you wouldn't be able to check Google Maps, or order an Uber. The same applies for Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Croatia and many other popular tourist destinations. As Flexiroam covers 160 countries you know you'll be covered.

So how does the value stack up against our Flexiroam X Local Data Plans?

Let's see:

Note: The above comparison is taken from the closest equivalent Flexiroam X Local Data Plan in each country. Flexiroam charges in USD and the Boost price has been adjusted at current exchange rates. Flexiroam plans have assumed they were purchased in advance to obtain a discount.

Flexiroam has 13 other data plan options for each of the above destinations. They range from: 500MB (3 Days) to 10GB (24 Days). To obtain more data with Boost Mobile would require a further $60 purchase.

Flexiroam enables Data Plans to be gifted to other Flexiroamers Flexishare feature.

Boost Mobile's International Roaming Recharge includes 30 minutes of calling and 100 outbound text messages. (Inbound SMS are Free of charge). Flexiroam only provides data.

However with the saving you make on the Flexiroam Local Data Plans, you could purchase a $5 or $15 Boost Mobile Add On that enable you to make or receive calls at very expensive rates or to send SMS for $0.65 each.

Although calling minutes aren't included with the Flexiroam Local Plans in the comparison above, you can make calls with Flexiroam using your Boost Mobile number! You simply need to confirm your Boost Mobile number via SMS in the Flexiroam X App and you are set to make calls wherever you are. Calls made are charged at 10MB per minute with the data being deducted from Global Data Plan allowance.

Conclusion:

Boost Mobile's International Roaming Recharge offers customer's a convenient option for the solo traveller that  travelling for a fortnight to any of the 15 destinations covered, particularly if they plan to use roughly 5GB of data.

Flexiroam X offers compelling value to Boost Mobile customer's that are:

• Travelling with a companion or in a group
• Travelling to any of the destinations not covered by Boost Mobile
• Are travelling for less than 2 weeks
• Are travelling for more than 2 weeks
• Are light users of data
• Are heavy users of data.
• Have an eSIM enabled device