Can’t call Canada

[Sho]

Traveling Soon to Canada, with AT&T
Had international blocked to avoid getting unintentional bills
Got it unblocked now
Can’t call Canada, from all the lines I have

Have called customer care numerous times with no help at all

Have Canada/Mexico plan( if that’s what it is called)
Leaving soon,will plan to change carriers once I come back

Any suggestion how to resolve this issue

Their customer care is horrible . They keep wasting my time with asking to switch off switch on phone .
Gave a ticket with no answer in 3-4 days . Every time I call , I start from scratch

[anoop]

You could use Skype to make calls until the issue is resolved.

[student]

Do you have an AT&T store nearby? I meant the company store and not an authorized dealer store. They may be able to help.

[CapeLinda]

Use What's app until you return.

[jocdoc]

try updating / resetting the network settings.

[tonyclifton]

Are you dialing the correct phone number with a 1 plus the area code? Can you have someone in Canada call you?

An international “day pass” plan from ATT is for data and texting.

If you do have some kind of block of outgoing calls to Canada and you now have that removed…do what another plaster recommended which is either reboot your phone or put it in airplane mode then leave airplane mode.

[hoofaman]

I occasionally game with friends who live outside of the USA and we just use Discord (free, plenty of similar tools out there) for voice chat, I'm surprised to learn that phone companies are still trying to charge/add fees for calls when VOIP apps are free

[Sho]

Between us and family we can use WhatsApp
But for businesses /hotels , we will need to use phone
Another 30 minutes wasted with AT&T

I am switching service as soon as I come back .

[Sho]

Are you dialing the correct phone number with a 1 plus the area code? Can you have someone in Canada call you?

An international “day pass” plan from ATT is for data and texting.

If you do have some kind of block of outgoing calls to Canada and you now have that removed…do what another plaster recommended which is either reboot your phone or put it in airplane mode then leave airplane mode.

Tried everything, that’s what their customer service
keeps on telling . Looks like they don’t have a single person who knows what they are doing

[lakpr]

Tried everything, that’s what their customer service
keeps on telling . Looks like they don’t have a single person who knows what they are doing

Do you have WhatsApp?
If you do, while you are still in the US, try turning off the cellular data, connect to only Wi-Fi, and then try calling Canada number.
If it works, then it's a question of simply connecting to airport Wi-Fi when you land in Canada, and calling them. When you land in Canada, try opening up the cellular data connection too, turn off Wi-Fi and then call a Canadian number. If that also works, then you are all set.

I am a US Citizen of Indian ancestry, and make annual or bi-annual trips to India. This is what I do. Land in Delhi or Mumbai airport, connect to the free airport Wi-Fi, and let my folks know that I landed. I know my carrier will charge me $$$$ for international roaming, so I make it a point to suppress cellular data.

Edit: I just saw that you do use WhatsApp between yourself and Friends. I don't see why that would not work with hotels and businesses too, you just need to add the hotel number as a contact first. WhatsApp lets you call anyone already in the Contacts list, as long as you have access to Wi-Fi.

[Sho]

Tried everything, that’s what their customer service
keeps on telling . Looks like they don’t have a single person who knows what they are doing

Do you have WhatsApp?
If you do, while you are still in the US, try turning off the cellular data, connect to only Wi-Fi, and then try calling Canada number.
If it works, then it's a question of simply connecting to airport Wi-Fi when you land in Canada, and calling them. When you land in Canada, try opening up the cellular data connection too, turn off Wi-Fi and then call a Canadian number. If that also works, then you are all set.

I am a US Citizen of Indian ancestry, and make annual or bi-annual trips to India. This is what I do. Land in Delhi or Mumbai airport, connect to the free airport Wi-Fi, and let my folks know that I landed. I know my carrier will charge me $$$$ for international roaming, so I make it a point to suppress cellular data.

Edit: I just saw that you do use WhatsApp between yourself and Friends. I don't see why that would not work with hotels and businesses too, you just need to add the hotel number as a contact first. WhatsApp lets you call anyone already in the Contacts list, as long as you have access to Wi-Fi.

Edit: whatsapp asking to invite them for whatsapp. I think you can only call numbers who have whatsapp
I don’t what they have done , even after turning cellular off , Wi-Fi international calling is not possible . Thanks

[an_asker]

Tried everything, that’s what their customer service
keeps on telling . Looks like they don’t have a single person who knows what they are doing

Do you have WhatsApp?
If you do, while you are still in the US, try turning off the cellular data, connect to only Wi-Fi, and then try calling Canada number.
If it works, then it's a question of simply connecting to airport Wi-Fi when you land in Canada, and calling them. When you land in Canada, try opening up the cellular data connection too, turn off Wi-Fi and then call a Canadian number. If that also works, then you are all set.

I am a US Citizen of Indian ancestry, and make annual or bi-annual trips to India. This is what I do. Land in Delhi or Mumbai airport, connect to the free airport Wi-Fi, and let my folks know that I landed. I know my carrier will charge me $$$$ for international roaming, so I make it a point to suppress cellular data.

Edit: I just saw that you do use WhatsApp between yourself and Friends. I don't see why that would not work with hotels and businesses too, you just need to add the hotel number as a contact first. WhatsApp lets you call anyone already in the Contacts list, as long as you have access to Wi-Fi.

Edit: whatsapp asking to invite them for whatsapp. I think you can only call numbers who have whatsapp
I don’t what they have done , even after turning cellular off , Wi-Fi international calling is not possible . Thanks

This won't resolve your current situation, but when you return and switch from AT&T, I highly recommend Tello (on the Tmobile backbone).

Quite economical (cheap lol) and great (touchwood) customer service as well. I believe many bogleheads use it.

Canada calls are free (subject to minutes available on your calling plan).