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MadMarzo's profile

Contributor

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3 Messages

Tuesday, April 12th, 2016 5:32 PM

GoPhone Activation while Abroad

Hi guys, I'm in a bit of a pickle here.

 

So, I traveled to South America a few days ago and since I wanted to be in touch with my family in zones with no internet access, I figured I'd buy a GoPhone, a AT&T SIM card and some credit to top up (I read that roaming it's supported on more than a 100 countries, an my destination was on the list)

 

When I arrived, and to my surprise, I wasn't able to register the phone by calling at the 611 number, so after locating an internet hotspot I registered it using it's website: https://www.att.com/GoPhoneWeb/

 

I registered the Phone with the IMEI, and the SIM card with the ICCID number, and it all went well. I got my wireless number and the temporal password, I was able to add a "GoPhone refill and go" of 25$ and even choose the International Long Distance Package.

 

But, when I tried to login in to my account, it says that the system will send me a new temporal password through a SMS to my phone, this SMS doesn't arrive. I still can't call 611 from the phone, although I do have cellphone reception, all 5 bars actually ... so, I'm stuck. Do I have the phone active ? What am I doing wrong ?

 

Any tips ? I just want to be able to receive and send SMS with it, when I travel to the country side.

Accepted Solution

Official Solution

ACE - Expert

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64.7K Messages

8 years ago


@MadMarzo wrote:

I called to 800.901.9878 for help, they didn't know their own plans and coverage ! Shameful. They ended telling me that the roaming plans that AT&T offers are only for Mexico and Canada, and that the other countries listed in the roaming support are the ones you can call FROM the US using AT&T, but not recive calls or SMS from the US to an AT&T phones when traveling in those countries, wich is NOT TRUE, as explained in this simple brochure https://www.att.com/Common/merger/files/pdf/international_calling/International_Calling_Brochure-EN.pdf


The only roaming ATT offers for prepaid service is Mexico and Canada. With a postpaid plan, your ATT phone can roam in all of those countries. I have no idea how you found that brochure as it appears to be way out of date but regardless, nowhere in that brochure does it suggest it was for prepaid service. You seem to have assumed that on your own. In fact, one of the items in the brochure specifically states "Before traveling, an International Roaming feature must be activated on your account.". Had you attempted to do that on your gophone account, I'm sure you would have realized it was not available.

 

So did you even look at the gophone plans before buying the phone and sim card?

Contributor

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3 Messages

8 years ago

I called for help, they didn't know their own plans and coverage ! Shameful. They ended telling me that the roaming plans that AT&T offers are only for Mexico and Canada, and that the other countries listed in the roaming support are the ones you can call FROM the US using AT&T, but not recive calls or SMS from the US to an AT&T phones when traveling in those countries, wich is NOT TRUE, as explained in this simple brochure https://www.att.com/Common/merger/files/pdf/international_calling/International_Calling_Brochure-EN.pdf

Professor

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3.2K Messages

8 years ago

The brochure appears to be for ATT World Connect, which is a retired plan (see attached link).

 

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/popups/retired_longdistance_rates.jsp

 

The current plan is ATT Passport.

Contributor

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3 Messages

8 years ago

Ok, Out of date information. Let's take a look to the up to date info then: 

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/international/roaming.html

 

The country that where I am currently, is in the list.

No indications that this service it's only for postpaid cellphones, or limited to prepaid whatsoever.

 

Now, are you totally positive that the only roaming AT&T service is offered for prepaid service is on Mexico and Canada ?

ACE - Expert

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64.7K Messages

8 years ago


@MadMarzo wrote:

Ok, Out of date information. Let's take a look to the up to date info then: 

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/international/roaming.html

 

The country that where I am currently, is in the list.

No indications that this service it's only for postpaid cellphones, or limited to prepaid whatsoever.

 

Now, are you totally positive that the only roaming AT&T service is offered for prepaid service is on Mexico and Canada ?


Yes, totally certain. Prepaid service only supports international roaming in Canada and Mexico.

Contributor

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2 Messages

8 years ago

Hello Did you activate it while you were outside the United States?

ACE - Sage

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117.2K Messages

8 years ago

@liranbel. Did you read the thread?  Gophone cannot roam, cannot activate, cannot work out of the US other than the $60 plan in Mexico and Canada.

 

 

Tutor

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4 Messages

5 years ago

THANKS! That is my solution, too. God bless you!

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