I'm a Prepaid user, can i recieve text Message while traveling to China?

[qhuo2006]

I'm a prepaid user, and i'm going to travel to China, while during the travel, i might need to receive some text messages, Eg. authentication message from Bank. but not sure if my plan could receive SMS while traveling in China?

Do i need to purchase some kind of package?

thanks

***Edited Labels***

[57]

You didn't say what plan you have, but pay-per-use rates will probably apply since you're on pre-paid.  If you can connect to a cell tower, then you should be able to receive texts, but no guarantees.  I haven't had issues with most countries and I have pre-paid, but I haven't travelled to China.  Please note that the charge for texts in China is $0.75 per text (depending on length obviously).

https://www.rogers.com/mobility/roaming  Put the country into pay-per-use box under

"Search U.S. & International Rates"

Phone calls are $3.50/minute, so I'd guess you'd want to avoid those unless you have an emergency.

[LordDrakkon]

Be aware that some banks do not allow their authorization codes to be sent outside of the country they are based in. Even with texts coming in, those verification texts might not leave the Rogers network to prevent fraud.

[Pauly]

If your bank has a Multi Factor Authentication that does NOT rely on a Text Message (a SMS Protocol) then you might be in luck. For example, Royal Bank of Canada does NOT send you a 2 Factor SMS, instead they send a popup notification to your phone that is connected to cellular or Wi-Fi Data.   From there, there is no restriction imposed on the notification being sent out side the country unlike SMS.

[57]

Another option that I failed to mention earlier is using e-mails for MFA, however, many places no longer provide that option, although some still do.  That way you could get MFA via e-mail on WiFi. I set up all my MFAs using e-mail, but recently that is not an option for some Royal Bank functionality as I recently found out.

[Pauly]

I can confirm TD Canada Trust uses SMS or phone call to give you the OTP (One Time PAssword)

so if u dont want that, dont use TD while Abroad

[LordDrakkon]

One other important thing to know about traveling to China. 

Edit/Correction: You can use your Rogers eSIM there but Chinese service providers do not offer eSIM's.  If you are using a pSIM for your Rogers service.  You might want to convert to an eSIM before traveling if you intend to use a Chinese providers SIM while you are visiting.  

[RobTheGob]

There is another option that I use - but it's pretty technical and requires a spare Android phone.

Years ago I setup a system using the Tasker and Mailtask Android applications. Basically - I move my SIM to the spare phone, leave it at home and it converts incoming texts and missed calls to email and forwards them to me via email.

It works great - but took a bit to setup and get working. If you have the technical ability to set this up - it's a great option.