Receiving Bell Text Message while using eSim abroad

[TeeCee]

What is the best/cheapest way to receive a text from Canada, while on eSim overseas?

I plan to use a third party eSim provider while away, but want to receive the occasional TFA text messages from Canada on my regular Bell number.

Need to know how much $ for each text and will it incur roaming charges on top of that.

Also, what would be the ideal settings on the iPhone to minimize the cost?

thanks

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum

Which mobility plan do you subscribe to? Monthly or Pre-paid. There is no simple answer to your question in terms of how much it will cost. I have included everything you need to know to make that decision for yourself in the web links that I have included.

If you plan on leaving your Bell SIM in place to send & receive texts you will activate Roaming charges. Please enter destination in the link below to rview the current rate for the country you are travelling to:

How do I use my mobile phone outside Canada and how much will it cost? (bell.ca)

Bell Mobility Pay per Use rates

What are Bell Mobility’s current pay-per-use rates?

Coverage Map & Travel Options

Coverage Map & Travel Options | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Roaming is only activated once your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada. Therefore if you remove your SIM card prior to arriving in the country and connecting to their network, roaming will not be activated. If your device is in Airplane mode, you can also connect to a Wi-Fi network & Bluetooth manually.

The surest method to avoid any further roaming charges is to turn your device Airplane mode to on or remove your SIM before travelling. This will eliminate any potential future charges. You will still be able to connect to a Wi-Fi  network & use Bluetooth. You would just need to turn them on manually.

Powering your device on & activating an eSim or dual SIM for travel SIM outside of Canada will also trigger data usage & roaming charges. To avoid a roaming charge, remove your Bell SIM beforehand.

Although you may not be using roaming, your device can access data unknowingly to you. If you do not completely power your device off and / or turn off roaming & data, your device can still be doing updates, etc

You are not charged for using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if your device is in Airplane mode and /or if your Bell SIM has been removed prior to connecting to a network outside of Canada.

Enjoy your trip.

Take care.

[TeeCee]

thanks for the info, this is great if one does not plan to use the Bell sim card abroad.

However, I intend to use the my Bell sim card to receive text messages while away. Everything else will be done with an eSim provider.

In order to do this, is there a specific iPhone setting? Or, does Default Voice Line need to be set to "Primary" (Bell) to receive text messages sent to my Bell number?

based on my readings, while abroad, an unanswered call is not charged, an incoming text is not charged. can you confirm these points?

thanks in advance!

TeeCee