Prepaid roaming while overseas?

[TinaT]

I am on prepaid plan and traveling in Asia, I am unable to receive SMS for my banking etc. I use a local SIM for my data, so I dont need data roaming on my Bell plan. How can I receive sms overseas pay-per-use?

[BellKris · Accepted solution]

Hi there, @TinaT. Welcome to the Bell Community.

Prepaid customers are unable to make use of roaming services; as such, you will not be able to receive text messages or calls to your Bell number until you return to Canada.

[NewUser]

We decided to go to the UK for an extended period. We needed to keep our Canadian phone numbers active to be able to receive texts - e.g. from our bank etc., and to not miss important phone calls. We wanted to do this at minimal cost, as we would not need data - we have UK SIMs with data. We just needed to keep the numbers alive and receive calls and texts while travelling, in case of emergency, or if the bank challenges us upon logging in.

I visited a Bell store, and discussed this. They agreed the best option was to change to a minimal prepaid account, for $15 per month each. They could not make this change in-store, but it seemed acceptable, and I called to change our monthly plans to prepaid. The person on the phone asked why we were doing this, so I explained. She understood completely, and proceeded with the changes. Nothing was said about roaming being unavailable.

We arrived in the UK, and we’re disappointed to find that we could not receive texts or calls. We could not even connect to any service at all, Researching with Google revealed that roaming is not supported on Bell prepaid.

We are now locked out of our Canadian bank web page, and a number of other sites that have done a secondary challenge via text. Our bank does not accept non-Canadian numbers for this.

Nowhere on Bell's website is this little fact mentioned. In fact, the fine print at the bottom of the Prepaid page actually indicates it should work: "Long distance and roaming charges may apply outside your local area". I double checked just now. Still says that. There are no clues whatsoever to the contrary.

We had also topped up each account with $100 each, which is now lost if we cannot use the service.

Now we are stuck unable to receive texts from our bank, or websites that use two-factor authentication, and we are at a loss as to what to do.

Why would Bell do this, and why would it not be mentioned on the web site, or made clear when ordering? In fact, it appears to be a well-hidden secret. I'm beyond angry.

[Jennifer]

I am using prepaid plan as well and also need to receive text message for 2FA when travelling. Bell's website is really misleading saying there is pay-per-use option without clearly state option is not for prepaid plan.

[WelshTerrier]

Customers with Prepaid plans are unable to make use of roaming services. You will not be able to receive text messages or calls to your Bell number until you return to Canada.

If you wish to add Roam Better, you would need to change to a plan that allows for this.

Please review your mobility agreement to determine whether you can make this change in mobility service plans.

Roam Better

https://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Roam-Better/FAQ.tab#scrollable-content-1

[Swimmer]

I noticed that my prepaid plan includes the unlimited international text service, is this mean that I can receive text message while travel internationally?

[WelshTerrier]

Unlimited international texting

Unlimited International texting while travelling outside of Canada is not included.

Here is the texting details that are included as part of Unlimited International texting.

Sent texts include texts sent to a U.S. or International phone number while in Canada and excludes texts sent to a landline, roaming, alerts, premium texts (short codes), and texts sent with an instant messaging application. Received texts include texts received while in Canada from a U.S. or International phone number and service-related texts from Bell and exclude roaming and premium texts (short codes), alerts or dial-up texts. Overage rates may apply.

Certain International destinations are not available. See bell.ca/internationaltext for details.

[NMatta]

I cannot do roaming while traveling and I have a prepaid plan Does timing work on. Prepaid plan

[WelshTerrier]

Roam Better – with home data is available to customers on most monthly plans. It is not available on prepaid plans, corporate accounts and plans that include that include roaming services.

Timing? Not sure what you mean by this? Pay per use rates?

[DanielZ24]

I am on bell prepaid and planning to travel soon. Can I use my number to receive text 2FA to access my bank while out of Canada? Can I switch my prepaid number to postpaid (meaning keeping my current number)?

[BellKris · Accepted solution]

Good morning, @DanielZ24. Welcome to the Bell Community, and thanks for your post.

As detailed in other posts, pre-paid Bell users are unable to make use of any of their services while outside of Canada - this includes receiving any SMS messages, including 2FA within that.

As for your second question, yes, this is an option to be able to make use of your Bell services while outside of Canada and keeping your phone number. Do bear in mind that moving to post-paid will require a credit check as well as getting a new SIM card. Depending on how soon you plan on traveling, we'd recommend visiting a local Bell store to complete the change as seamlessly and quickly as possible.

To find your closest store, take a look at our Store Locator

Let us know if you have any further questions.

[Kona905]

Hi Bell Community, I’m travelling to china next month and I wanted to know if you could roam with bell prepaid. All I need is to receive texts (like 2fa). Thanks

[NewUser]

Nope. Certain technology companies cannot pull this off. And this one will not tell you this anywhere on the website that’s selling you the service. And when you ask here, they will answer you as if you should have known this.
You will either need to find another provider and transfer your number, or get a monthly post-paid plan - or see if you can get a local SIM card in China, and tell your bank the new number. Some banks (TD for example) can handle a second number for 2FA. 

[Syed0]

Even me not getting sms while roaming. I never know I won't recieved sms while roaming when using prepaid connection. The first thing I am doing when I am back to Canada is to kick the bell network. My whole family is using bell network and we all going to throw away the sim.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Roaming services are available to customers on most monthly plans.

Customers with Prepaid plans are unable to make use of roaming services. You will not be able to receive text messages or calls to your Bell number until you return to Canada. If you wish to add Roam Better and / or use any of your mobility services outside of Canada, you will need to change your mobility plan from pre-paid to a monthly post-paid plan. E.g. SMS messages, two-factor authentication, etc.

Roam Better FAQ | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Take care.