Again. I use whatsapp. no charges locally in SXM or to the States. Also my phone is Republic Wireless which is WIFI based with Sprint backup for non WIFI connection here in the States $22 a month. BUT when I am out of the country AND at a WIFI connection the phone works as I was in the US. Calls to my local number come to me where ever I am. I can call out to any US number. Out of the country numbers won't work. But then whatsapp solves that problem.

there is no extra phone to buy. No extra chip to buy. No additional billing

Wendell