Trying to Get Wi-Fi Calling Working Whilst Overseas on Colesmobile SIM-Driving Me Nuts!

GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 08:51
Last edited 24/02/2024 - 09:57 by 1 other user

Been trying for days to get this to work and it’s driving me crazy as it worked when I tested it in OZ before leaving! Are there any geniuses out there that can help. Here is the background:
1. I’m using an iPhone 15Pro ( ios17.3.1)
2.Colesmobile SIM with wifi calling enabled in settings.
3. Colesmobile only supports WiFi calling when in Australia, so….
4. I first put my phone in flight mode and turn WiFi ON.
5. I connect, via WiFi, to my travel router.
6. After logging in to my travel router, I connect the router to the house’s (where I’m staying) wifi.
7. I then instruct the router to establish a VPN connection (NordVPN) to Australia.
8. I then do a “WhatismyIPaddress” on my iPhone , it gives me an IP address in Adelaide (where I live). So, all looks ready to use wifi calling.
9. I then go my my iPhone phone app for making a normal phone call and dial a local number in OZ (EG 131313-Qantas) and other local OZ numbers also-same problem.
10. After dialing I always get a message pop up saying “No network Connection- Connect to a WiFi network- or disable flight mode”.
11. I KNOW I’ve got a wifi connection because I can surf the web via my VPN connection to OZ.
12. I tried with and without flight mode, still using a VPN connection via the travel router. I tried several different VPN servers all in OZ, also tried both openvpn and wireguard VPN connections.
13. I did EXACTLY the same setup whilst I was in Australia to test before I left and it worked!!

Is there a genius out there that can make me look stupid? Thank you so much.

Mobile Wi-Fi Calling

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Comments

  • bdl on 21/02/2024 - 09:10
    +7
    1. Colesmobile only supports WiFi calling when in Australia, so….

    Probably doesn't work overseas. Being able to surf web via VPN means just that, not that VoWifi will work :)

    • jv on 21/02/2024 - 09:27
      -1

      Probably doesn't work overseas.

      Seems Optus don't allow it…

    • bamzero on 22/02/2024 - 13:47

      Correct. Thought might be able to get it to work via VPN as well but no luck.

    • HeWhoKnows on 22/02/2024 - 19:49

      Obviously OP didnt read thier own post…

      "Colesmobile only supports WiFi calling when in Australia"
      (which is really Optus)

      Its the same with Vodafone.

      And hasnt OP heard of Facebook calls and messaging, Whatsapp calls and messaging, Viber, Skype, FaceTime if on an iPhone and many more ways to make and receive calls whilst overseas?

      OP is clearly over-complicating this very simple situation

  • payless69 on 21/02/2024 - 09:25
    +2

    Whatsup,
    Viber,
    Skype
    etc

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 09:47
      -1

      Yes, but those are not good for calling normal phone numbers, eg 13xxxx, 1800xxxxx, 02xxxxxxx, 03xxxxx etc.

      • payless69 on 21/02/2024 - 10:08
        +1

        both Viber and Skype work, need prepayment, the 2 can interfere with whatsup

      • TilacVIP on 22/02/2024 - 17:56

        Been using Skype. Just loaded $10 worth of credit. It's about 12c a minute off memory.

      • HeWhoKnows on 22/02/2024 - 19:51

        Get Roaming included for the time you are away
        Thanks for the clap!

  • jv on 21/02/2024 - 09:25

    Have you turned off roaming?

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 09:43

      Yes, data roaming OFF

  • parisian on 21/02/2024 - 09:29
    +3

    No vowifi for Optus-based services overseas.
    Optus geo-block wifi calling to Australia only.
    Only Telstra allows it at the moment overseas.

    • jv on 21/02/2024 - 09:39
      +1

      Only Telstra allows it at the moment overseas.

      and even that is flaky….

      • lgacb08 on 21/02/2024 - 14:34

        It's not

        • jv on 21/02/2024 - 14:38

          It is…

          Will work with some data networks, but not others..

          • parisian on 21/02/2024 - 21:20

            @jv: It's working perfectly?

            I have been using it in roaming in HK using an other sim card's internet connection, on my Cathay flights to MAD, on IB service to Spain, currently in the TGV and the service works perfectly.

            Used it on EY, EK, NZ, VA - in the TGV, in roaming overseas, in Vietnam and many others places paired with an internet e-sim.

            Telstra did it well - and it's a great service.

            • jv on 21/02/2024 - 23:26
              +1

              @parisian:

              It's working perfectly?

              Not always for me. It worked about 80% of the time.

              • lgacb08 on 22/02/2024 - 07:33

                @jv: Because you were in crappy reception or hung around with 3rd grade network operators (equivalent of voda).

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 09:45
      +1

      Ok, but how can it know I am overseas, because I am VPNing to Australia!!

      • jv on 21/02/2024 - 09:46
        +1

        The IP address your VPN is using…

        • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:10

          Fair enough! I wonder if I can get around that restriction by using an obfuscated VPN? Unfortunately NordVPN does not offer an obfuscated VPN in Australia yet, only about a dozen other countries!!

          • jv on 21/02/2024 - 10:12
            +1

            @GOCAT9: Trying a different VPN 'may' work…

            • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:17
              +1

              @jv: maybe a very little known one that Optus have not a blacklist for????

              • jv on 21/02/2024 - 10:17
                +1

                @GOCAT9: Maybe…

              • geekcohen on 21/02/2024 - 10:19

                @GOCAT9: Possibly, depends on their network configuration as the VPN provider, smaller providers use hosting provides like Linode, Vultr etc which would probably be blocked. You would need to try and find a VPN provider that has their own infrastructure.

                Let us know if you have luck though!

                • The Hawk on 22/02/2024 - 08:14

                  @geekcohen: Be interested if tunnelling into your own VPN in your own house solves the problem?

      • roonie on 21/02/2024 - 14:00

        We were OS last year and used a vpn for streaming iview and SBS. (Can’t remember which)but one worked while the other went Yeah, nah… (I THINK SBS was good)

        • geekcohen on 21/02/2024 - 15:14

          A lot of providers do. Foxtel does it, 9NOW I think as well.

        • GOCAT9 on 24/02/2024 - 04:34

          I regularly use NordVPN to watch iview news whilst OS without issue. Pretty sure SBS works also as wife uses it!

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 09:49

      How can Optus know I’m overseas? I’m using a VPN to Australia before making the call!!

      • jv on 21/02/2024 - 09:56

        The IP address your VPN is using…

        • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:11
          +1

          Understood, thanks!

        • mick1 on 21/02/2024 - 14:39

          If the OP is overseas and using say a hotel wifi with Australian VPN server, wouldn't Optus only see the Australian IP address of the VPN server?
          I don't think Optus blacklists all VPN servers - as I often use Australian VPN server (when in Aussie) and voice over wifi calls still connect fine.
          The geo-blocking Optus and Voda use must be more subtle than that but have no idea what it is. Maybe if you disable all SIMs before the flight lands and then use a local internet connection with VPN + Aussie server ….??

          • jv on 21/02/2024 - 14:57

            @mick1:

            wouldn't Optus only see the Australian IP address of the VPN server?

            Yes, and they'd likely know it was using a VPN and block that IP.

            • mick1 on 21/02/2024 - 15:12

              @jv: If they were doing the geo-blocking just by blacklisting all VPN server addresses, they'd have to block all VoWfi calls coming through those addresses regardless of where the user was located. But we know that's not the case - as we can make VoWifi calls via a VPN when in Australia. (See last point of OP's original post). They are doing it some other way.

              • jv on 21/02/2024 - 15:14

                @mick1:

                They are doing it some other way.

                Black magic?

      • onceupon8 on 21/02/2024 - 09:57
        +2
        1. It's easy for Optus to subscribe to services that detect most VPN IP address ranges and then block these.
        2. WiFi calling can sometimes be a bit fussy and not work on some networks etc. eg. Before Apple blocked Wi-Fi calling from working on Wi-Fi networks that only had basic security (WEP/WPA?). I don't know if this is still the case. Adding a VPN would make the network traffic more complicated and could lessen the likelihood of it working.

        I've used Wi-Fi calling with Telstra overseas in several countries and generally get on OK but it won't work on some Wi-Fi networks.

  • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:15
    +3

    UPDATE: I read the link that “jv” provided above and learnt two things:

    1. Optus said it does not support VoWiFi over VPNs
    2. Not all Wifi connections will work. Some ISP suppress VoWiFi and router has to have SEC- pass through or something similar!
  • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:25

    I think that next time I travel OS, I will either port over to Telstra for while I’m away, or just buy a new Prepaid Telstra SIM and use that for outgoing calls whilst overseas based on what people have said above!

  • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 10:30
    +1

    would this work if you have a VPN server at home? so it's not a vpn server service, but just your own, so maybe it wont appear on their blip?

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 10:33

      Now THAT’S an interesting thought. I wonder if people more knowledgeable than I could comment. Seems definitely worth a try next time I travel.

      • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 11:03
        +1

        my home router has a built in wireguard VPN that i use all the time when i'm away from home to access things like security cameras, media etc.

        i have not tried it for vowifi calling o/seas
        but my nbn provider makes available the SIP profiles for "my home phone" which i also have not tried overseas either.

      • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 11:04
        +1

        while you're overseas, do you have remote access to any computer at home?
        if so you could:
        - install wireguard on that computer
        - opt out of CGNat from your nbn provider
        - port forward it to your router,
        - use dynamic dns to make it easily reachable

        • install wg on your phone and presto
        • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 19:40

          Sorry for delay, just woke up. I’m in a time zone 12 hours different!!

          I get what you mean. Unfortunately, I didn’t enable remote access on my Asus router before I left but will certainly set it up to do as you suggest for my next trip OS and give it a try.

          I had to look up what GCNat is, I had never heard of it before and never knew it was a “thing”!

          • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 21:42

            @GOCAT9: please report back on how it goes for your next OS trip

    • geekcohen on 21/02/2024 - 11:15

      Most likely would because providers won't know that your home IP is a VPN. However, it would depend if the OP has a static or CGNAT IP. Would probably need a static!

      • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 12:07
        +1

        Doesnt have to be static.
        DDNS can sort it out.

        they might even be able to use Tailscale - but i've never manged to get an exit node working so i run local wg

  • Mechz on 21/02/2024 - 11:42
    +1

    How many calls do you have to make while OS? Apart from calling RACV, I don't remember the last time I called a company for anything. All done by online chat.

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 19:49

      Don’t have a lot of calls to make but nice to be able to if I can. In the meantime I use a VOIP service. Works, but not free!

      I like the technical challenge of getting wifi calling working if it can!!

      • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 21:43

        your home number is also VOIP. but you still need the VPN

  • aboabo on 21/02/2024 - 12:18

    Buy a local SIM card.

    • jv on 21/02/2024 - 14:38

      I do not support local…

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 19:52

      I have an eSIM, but they don’t allow phone calls as eSIMS are data only. Yes, I can use it for VOIP though, but it uses my data and VOIP is not free also. I’m showing my ozbargainer streak I guess!!

      • tonester on 24/02/2024 - 09:52
        +1

        Using a Mobile phone Overseas – eSIM, Travel SIM, International Roaming

        • Using a secondary e/SIM for Wi-Fi calling with your primary is only possible if the secondary is not roaming, so likely local to its location

        • If you have a VoIP provider like Crazytel for your fixed/landline phone number, then you could divert your Australian mobile number to it, and receive (as well as make) calls via their CrazyPhone app, which also allows you to set its caller ID as your mobile number:

  • askbargain on 21/02/2024 - 12:53
    -1

    Try hosting a hotspot on a laptop connected to vpn and then connect your phone to that, disable mobile data.

    • geekcohen on 21/02/2024 - 13:00
      +1

      Still won't work because its the VPN that is the issue.

      • askbargain on 21/02/2024 - 13:04

        Alright mate, downvote because you clearly know more

        • geekcohen on 21/02/2024 - 13:56

          Well…. yes…. but also goes against all the other comments discussing the VPN solution. So you clearly haven't ready all the other comments that discuss that the VPN the OP is using is most likely the issue.

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 19:56
      +1

      Won’t work as OPTUS say they do not support wifi calling over VPN (see above).

      Will have to try something smarter as suggested by FoxJump above!!

      • askbargain on 21/02/2024 - 19:58
        +1

        VPN on the same device won’t work because wifi calling will bypass it. Also disable location services for wifi calling.

  • lgacb08 on 21/02/2024 - 15:13
    +1

    Yeah, to get this working you will need a router that can turn your home network into a private vpn, not commercial. An router with openvpn enable would be easiest but if you don't have one it will be a stretch, by the time you get it set up, getting a secondary router (not sure if openvpn on the phone itself works) and everything connected, you could've get onto boost for much less hassle anc cost.

    • GOCAT9 on 21/02/2024 - 20:03

      You are right of course, but I do like the technical challenge and I learn something new and get a lot of satisfaction if I succeed. But I will checkout the Boost option. I assume BOOST allows wifi calling from overseas!!

      • FoxJump on 21/02/2024 - 21:43

        i use the gl.inet brume2 as my home router, and a deco xe75pro as the wifi AP and a cheap networks 8 port switch.

  • JennyTeoFunGirl on 22/02/2024 - 16:11

    The trick is to put it into airplane mode, so that it does not know you are now overseas. As soon as it connects to a mobile tower overseas, you are now overseas. Unless you can spoof that tower to show you are back in Australia which might be legal in some overseas countries, you are sad out of luck.

    The other thing is you should have one mobile for calling, one mobile that you use to receive banking sms. This is the only way I found that works.

    • lgacb08 on 23/02/2024 - 07:14

      Nah, it's the vpn that leeching out details, optus or any other carrier isn't gonna go as far as flagging your number location upon registration and resetting it every time for such purposes.

    • GOCAT9 on 24/02/2024 - 04:28

      Thanks Jenny….. yep, as noted in my point 4 above I did put it in flight mode first, but still no go. The general consensus here is that even though my gl-iNet travel router is VPNing back to OZ, it is using NordVPN, so that makes it easy for OPTUS to know I am using a VPN(via IP address).

      The general opinion here is that I need to VPN back to Oz using a private VPN set up on my home router. I’ll do that when I am back home ready for my next OS trip!!

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