Very specific question about using the T-Mobile "basic 2G" international plan:
When using this plan while traveling in EU, do I follow the US-to-EU rules for dialing or do I use the EU-to-EU plan - 2-part question:
1) when calling an EU number?
2) when calling someone else using the same T-Mobile?
My wife and I both use the T-Mobil plan.
1. Just put in the "+" followed by the EU country code and number.
2. We called and texted each other several times in Europe. Just hit the name in the phone's contact list.
What Sam said.
The only caution is that occasionally, you will see European phone numbers formatted for local service use.
For instance one of my favorite restaurants in Hungary has on their web page this number: 06 1 351 6793 which if you had a Hungarian phone would work great; you could click on it and make a reservation. With the US phone you will need to change 06 to +36 and dial +36 1 351 6793
So, what is your favorite resturant in Hungary? 😊
Your phone probably has an "assisted dialing" option in the Dialer app which would automatically add a US country code when calling contacts in your phone, if needed.
My favorite restaurant in Budapest is Zing Burgers. They're as good as it gets.
First time we were in Budapest, the phone rang at 3:00 am. We picked up and it was our 3 year old granddaughter using her mother's speed dial for our home cellphone. She didn't know anything about time difference or that we were in Europe.
T Mobile is owned by the German telephone company, and the phones work over there like they work at home. You just need not to pickup phone calls you don't care to be part of. We just usually get international service before we leave--and then cut it off when we return home.
David, the fact that T-Mobile US's parent company is a German company has nothing to do with how T-Mobile US phones work in Europe. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have roaming agreements with the local mobile companies in every country where they allow roaming. The fact that T-Mobile US may sometimes roam on the local T-Mobile networks e.g. in German is just coincidental and irrelevant to the user. Legally they are separate companies. Your T-Mobile phone will work just as well in the European countries where there is no local T-Mobile.
David, you will find Mr a Zing a lot. And I get business calls at midnight fairly often and have done a few Zoom meetings from bars (with video off). And TMobile is flawless in the countries listed ... well except Switzerland. My phone refuses to cross the border, I get a message that Switzerland is not compatible with Basic Economy.
