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Your Core Problem: Jio Roaming is Expensive for 3 Months

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Option 1: Jio International Roaming (US Packs)

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Option 2: US Local SIM / eSIM (Recommended)

A. Mint Mobile (Best Value for 3 Months)

• Uses T-Mobile's network (excellent US coverage)
• 3-month upfront plans:
  • Unlimited: $45/month → **$135 total (₹11,250)**
  • 15 GB: $20/month → **$60 total (₹5,000)**
  • 5 GB: $15/month → **$45 total (₹3,750)**
• eSIM supported — activate before you fly
• Mint Mobile plans

B. T-Mobile Prepaid (Direct Carrier)

• $40/month unlimited 5G → $120 total (~₹10,000)
• Best for rural/road trips, widest coverage
• Buy at any Walmart/Target on arrival

C. Visible (Verizon Network, eSIM)

• $25/month unlimited → $75 total (~₹6,250)
• No contract, eSIM-friendly, unlimited hotspot
• Visible plans

D. Tello (T-Mobile network, ultra-budget)

• Customize your plan: $14–$25/month
• 3 months: $45–$75 (₹3,750–₹6,250)
• Good if you're mostly on WiFi

E. Matrix/Airalo eSIM (Indian-sold, no US store needed)

• Matrix SIM for USA: ₹1,699 for 28 days, unlimited data + 500 min India calls
• For 3 months: ~₹5,000–6,000 if renewed
• Convenient to buy before leaving India

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Option 3: Keep Jio Active (Minimum Recharge) + US Local SIM

• Indian bank OTPs
• UPI / GPay / PhonePe
• IRCTC, Aadhaar, government portals
• Family contacts back home

• Recharge with ₹155–₹179 every 28 days (minimum validity plan)
• Enable WiFi Calling on your phone — you can then receive calls/OTPs on your Jio number over any WiFi, completely free, no roaming needed
• Total cost for 3 months: **₹465–₹540 ($6)** — essentially nothing

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Cost-Benefit Summary Table

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Recommended Action Plan

1. Before departure: Recharge Jio with a ₹155–179 plan. Enable WiFi Calling in Jio settings (Settings → Calls → WiFi Calling). Set a reminder to recharge monthly.
2. Get a US eSIM: Buy Mint Mobile 3-month plan online before you fly (eSIM, no physical SIM needed). 15 GB/month is sufficient for most users; go unlimited if you stream heavily.
3. At the airport: Connect to WiFi — your Jio number immediately works for OTPs. Activate your Mint eSIM.
4. Result: Two functional numbers, ~$60–70 total for 3 months, no roaming fees, no Indian number deactivation risk.

Phone compatibility check: Ensure your phone is unlocked (not carrier-locked to Jio). Most Indian dual-SIM phones are unlocked by default. If locked, contact Jio customer care to unlock before travel.

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The Goal: Receive Real Calls on Your Jio Number in the US

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✅ Option 1: Jio WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) — Free, Best for Most

• ✅ Incoming voice calls on your Indian number (over WiFi)
• ✅ Incoming SMS and OTPs
• ✅ Outgoing calls to India (free, as per your active plan)
• ✅ Works on any WiFi — hotel, home, café, office

• ❌ You must be on WiFi — dead if you're outdoors without WiFi
• ❌ Doesn't work on mobile data (cellular data of your US SIM won't work for Jio VoWiFi — only WiFi)
• ❌ If caller is in India and your phone rings while you're away from WiFi, call is missed

1. Go to Phone Settings → Calls → WiFi Calling → Enable
2. Recharge Jio with ₹155–179/month minimum validity plan (keeps number alive)
3. That's it — works automatically when abroad on WiFi

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✅ Option 2: Jio Call Forwarding to Your US Number — Paid, Most Seamless

• In MyJio app → Settings → Call Forwarding → Forward All Calls → Enter your US number (with country code: +1XXXXXXXXXX)
• OR dial: **21*+1XXXXXXXXXX# from your Jio SIM before leaving

Per Jio's T&C: "If call forwarding is active, customer will be charged for both incoming AND outgoing leg at IR rates"

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✅ Option 3: Google Voice (US number that also forwards) — Free/Low-cost, Smart Combo

• Use JioMeet, WhatsApp, or Google Meet for all known contacts
• Reserve Jio WiFi calling for unknown/important callers

• Free US number, free calls within USA
• Works over WiFi/data
• voice.google.com — free to set up

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✅ Option 4: WhatsApp / JioMeet for Voice Calls — Free, Works Over Data Too

• WhatsApp calls over WiFi or US mobile data: free
• Works over your US SIM's data plan too (no WiFi needed)
• Video calls, voice calls, groups — all free
• The person calling you just needs to call your WhatsApp number (same as your Jio number)

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🏆 Recommended Setup for Your Situation

• 90% of your calls will ring via WiFi Calling (home/hotel WiFi) or WhatsApp
• Tell important contacts: "Call on WhatsApp if I don't pick up"
• Set up conditional call forwarding (forward only when unreachable, not always) — this way Jio only forwards to your US number if WiFi calling fails, limiting those ₹4/min charges

**62*+1XXXXXXXXXX#

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Bottom Line

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Your Setup — Confirmed & Optimized

LAYER 1 — Indian Number (Jio IR Pack)
LAYER 2 — US eSIM with local +1 number (Airalo)
LAYER 3 — WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) on Jio when on WiFi
LAYER 4 — Conditional Call Forwarding (Jio → US number when unreachable)
LAYER 5 — WhatsApp / FaceTime for outgoing calls

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Step 1: Jio IR Plan — Which One to Pick

• Incoming calls are unlimited and free on all US IR packs (including via WiFi Calling)
• WiFi Calling is explicitly included in these packs — it says "Free incoming calls including WiFi calling"
• 250 outgoing minutes/month covers casual use; use WhatsApp for heavier outgoing calls

Important: Activate the IR pack in India before your flight, while still connected to the Jio network. You cannot activate it from abroad.

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Step 2: US eSIM — Airalo is the One

• Gives you a real +1 US number — receiveable for US-based calls (bank verifications, local contacts, US services)
• Works as the call forwarding destination from Jio
• eSIM — install from QR code before leaving India

• Typically ~$17–25 for 10 GB / 30 days with calls
• For 3 months: $51–75 (₹4,250–6,250)

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Step 3: Enable WiFi Calling on Jio

1. Phone Settings → Connections/Calls → WiFi Calling → ON
2. On some phones it's under: Settings → SIM & Network → [Jio SIM] → WiFi Calling
3. Open MyJio app → confirm WiFi calling is registered

• When you're on WiFi (home, hotel, office, café): your Jio number rings normally as if you're in India. Answer it like any call. Free incoming.
• The IR pack's "250 outgoing minutes" also work over WiFi — you can call Indian numbers from your Jio number using WiFi
• SMS and OTPs work automatically over WiFi too

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Step 4: Conditional Call Forwarding (the safety net)

**62*+1XXXXXXXXXX#

• **62* = Forward when unreachable (no network/no WiFi)
• This is conditional — it does NOT forward when you're on WiFi (Jio WiFi calling will answer first)
• To cancel later: ##62#

• The call hits Jio's network → gets forwarded internationally → you answer on your Airalo +1 number
• Jio charges for the forwarded leg at IR rates (~₹2/min from their 250-minute outgoing bundle, or ₹2/min extra after bundle exhausted)
• Your Airalo plan receives it as a regular incoming US call — free on your US side
• For occasional calls this is negligible

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Step 5: Outgoing Calls — Your Options

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Full Cost Summary for 3 Months

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Pre-Departure Checklist

• Recharge Jio with ₹2,555 IR pack (do it on Indian soil, connected to Jio towers)
• Enable WiFi Calling in phone settings for Jio SIM
• Buy Airalo USA eSIM online → install the eSIM profile (don't activate yet)
• Note down your Airalo +1 US number
• Dial **62*+1XXXXXXXXXX# on your Jio SIM to set conditional forwarding
• Verify your phone is SIM-unlocked (dual SIM + eSIM support)
• Test WiFi calling once before leaving (call a family member)
• Set reminder to renew Jio IR pack before Day 30 and Day 60

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Corrected Jio IR Plans for USA

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Corrected 3-Month Cost

Option A: ₹2,555 × 3 renewals (30-day plan)

• Month 1: ₹2,555 | Month 2: ₹2,555 | Month 3: ₹2,555
• Total: ₹7,665 for 90 days, 45 GB data, 750 outgoing minutes

Option B: ₹3,455 × 3 renewals (35-day plan)

• Covers 35 days per pack → 3 packs = 105 days (slight overlap, but safer buffer)
• Total: ₹10,365 for ~105 days, 75 GB data, 750 outgoing minutes
• Better if you don't want to worry about exact renewal timing

Option C: Mix — ₹3,455 for Month 1, then ₹2,555 × 2

• Total: ₹8,465, covers ~95 days

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Key Point on Renewals

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The US Network Reality

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Option Comparison: T-Mobile Direct vs eSIM Providers

🔵 T-Mobile Prepaid (Direct, Physical SIM)

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🟠 Airalo (eSIM, data-only OR with calls)

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🟡 Nomad (eSIM, data-only)

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🟢 Mint Mobile (eSIM or SIM, T-Mobile network)

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🟣 Visible (eSIM, Verizon network)

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Head-to-Head Summary

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My Recommendation for Your Setup

1. Give you a +1 US number for call forwarding destination + US calls
2. Provide reliable mobile data when away from WiFi
3. Work before you land (no store visit needed)

• $75 for 3 months, real +1 number, unlimited everything
• T-Mobile coverage is excellent for most US cities and major routes
• Buy and install eSIM from India before departure
• mintmobile.com

• Verizon/multi-network coverage handles dead zones T-Mobile misses
• Use WhatsApp for calls, use your Jio number for Indian incoming calls

• Multi-network (Verizon+T-Mobile), real phone number, no setup hassle
• But it's $60–110 more than Mint/Visible for 3 months

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The Core Challenge

1. A postpaid US carrier plan with international roaming built in
2. A VoIP-based US number that works over internet from anywhere in the world

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Your Options

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🥇 Option 1: Google Voice — Best Overall for Your Use Case

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🥈 Option 2: T-Mobile Postpaid + International Roaming (Best for Seamless Calls)

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🥉 Option 3: T-Mobile Prepaid — Keep Active with Low-Cost Plan

• Your T-Mobile eSIM sits dormant on your phone
• You'd need to recharge it remotely every month ($15–25) or the number dies
• Does NOT roam internationally on prepaid — you can't receive calls in India on this number

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Option 4: Numero eSIM / Hushed / TextNow — Virtual US Numbers

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Option 5: US Mobile (MVNO, T-Mobile/Verizon)

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The Optimal Setup for Your Business Use Case

PERMANENT US NUMBER: Google Voice (free)
└── Set up during your US trip
└── Works via app in India over WiFi/data
└── Give this number to US contacts / business
└── Free incoming calls, cheap outgoing

IN THE US: T-Mobile/Mint prepaid eSIM ($25–40/month)
└── Real cellular data + calls
└── Forward Google Voice to your T-Mobile number

BACK IN INDIA: 
└── Google Voice app receives all +1 calls over internet
└── Jio SIM handles Indian calls
└── No extra monthly fee for the US number

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Summary Table

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Bottom Line Recommendation

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The WhatsApp Problem with Virtual Numbers

• A real SIM-based cellular number (physical SIM or eSIM from a real carrier)
• Some VoIP providers like Freezvon or Twilio claim to work, but it's inconsistent and WhatsApp can revoke the account later if it detects a virtual number

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The Only Reliable Solution: A Real US Carrier eSIM

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The Best Path: US Mobile eSIM ($5/month)

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Your Complete Setup — Revised

US NUMBER (permanent, real cellular eSIM)
└── US Mobile Light Plan — $5/month
└── WhatsApp Business registered on this +1 number ✅
└── Number stays alive forever while back in India
└── US contacts / business associates message you here

CALLS TO THIS US NUMBER (when in India)
└── Option A: Forward calls → Google Voice → app on your phone
└── Option B: Forward calls → your Jio number (pay per minute)
└── Option C: Tell contacts to use WhatsApp — most will anyway

DATA + CALLS WHILE IN THE US
└── Upgrade US Mobile to unlimited ($25–35/month) while there
└── Or use Mint/Visible eSIM separately for data

INDIAN NUMBER (Jio)
└── Kept alive with ₹2,555 IR pack while in US
└── WiFi calling for Indian incoming calls
└── Conditional forward to US Mobile number as backup

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On Your Existing WhatsApp with a US Number

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Cost Summary (Ongoing, back in India)

• A permanent US +1 cellular number
• WhatsApp Business on that number, accessible globally
• Your Indian number alive for OTPs and Indian calls
• All US calls forwarded to your phone via app

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Calls — Yes, Forwarding Works Perfectly

**21*+1[GoogleVoiceNumber]#

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SMS — No, You Cannot Forward SMS at the Carrier Level

• SMS is store-and-forward at the network level — it lands on the SIM, not a forwarding chain
• US carriers (including US Mobile) don't offer SMS forwarding as a native feature
• Google Voice cannot "receive" SMS forwarded from another number — it can only receive SMS sent directly to the Google Voice number

• SMS sent to your US Mobile +1 → received on your US Mobile eSIM app
• SMS sent to your Google Voice +1 → received in Google Voice app
• These are two separate inboxes — you can't merge them via forwarding

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How to Handle SMS in Practice

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The Cleanest Architecture

US Mobile +1 eSIM ($5/month)
├── WhatsApp Business registered here ✅
├── Calls → forward to Google Voice → answer anywhere ✅
└── SMS → read via US Mobile app (works over WiFi in India) ✅

Google Voice +1 (free)
├── Give this number for general US calls/texts
├── Unified inbox for calls + SMS in one app ✅
└── Forward calls to US Mobile or Jio as backup

• WhatsApp (linked to US Mobile number) — for messaging
• Google Voice number — for calls and texts from non-WhatsApp users

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Bottom Line

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What Works vs What Doesn't on US Mobile $5/month in India

✅ What WILL work in India

⚠️ The One Catch — Calls to your US Mobile number directly

Someone calls your US Mobile +1 number
        ↓
Goes to voicemail on US Mobile
        ↓ (not ideal)

INSTEAD — give everyone your Google Voice +1 number
        ↓
Google Voice rings → forwards to your US Mobile number
        ↓
US Mobile app receives the call over WiFi ✅

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Corrected Understanding

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So Yes — Your Plan Works, With This Exact Flow

IN INDIA:
─────────────────────────────────────────────
US contacts call/text you?
  → Text: US Mobile app (over WiFi) ✅
  → Call: Via Google Voice number → GV app ✅
  → WhatsApp: Direct on WhatsApp Business ✅

You want to call/text US contacts?
  → Call: Google Voice app (free to US numbers) ✅
  → Text: US Mobile app or GV app ✅
  → WhatsApp: Normal ✅

Cost: $5/month
─────────────────────────────────────────────

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Direct Answer: Yes, WiFi Calling is Included — But With a Catch

WiFi Calling: Included at no extra cost on their plans including the low-data/light plans.

• WiFi Calling is a device-level feature (built into iPhone/Android settings for that SIM)
• It routes your calls over WiFi instead of cellular towers
• When you're in India, your US Mobile eSIM has no cellular signal — but WiFi Calling CAN still let you receive and make calls over your home WiFi or Jio data hotspot

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The Honest Reality

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What This Means for Your Setup

Someone calls your US Mobile +1
        ↓
US Mobile WiFi Calling may or may not ring (unreliable in India)
        ↓
BETTER: Forward calls → Google Voice → GV app rings ✅ (100% reliable)

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Revised Setup Confidence

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The Core Issue You're Identifying

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Two Different Types of Forwarding — Behave Differently

Type 1: Carrier-Level Call Forwarding (set on US Mobile's network)

Caller dials your US Mobile +1
        ↓
US Mobile's network receives it
        ↓
Network checks: "does this number have forwarding set?"
        ↓ YES
Immediately forwards to Google Voice number
        ↓
Google Voice rings your app in India ✅

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Type 2: Google Voice Native Linking (the other method)

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So — Which One Solves Your Problem?

• Log into US Mobile account → Call Settings → Call Forwarding → Always Forward → enter your Google Voice number
• Or dial from your US Mobile SIM while in the US: **21*+1[GVnumber]#

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Direct Answer to Your Question

"If the US number is not connected to a cellular network and it's out of service because the eSIM exists in India, will it still forward to Google Voice?"

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Your Full Setup (Confirmed)

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Requirement Checklist

While in the US

Back in India

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Two Things to Action Before You Leave the US

1. Set unconditional call forwarding on US Mobile → your Google Voice number. Do this from inside the US while the eSIM has signal.
2. Set up Google Voice (voice.google.com) while physically in the US — it requires US presence for initial setup only.

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One Scenario You Haven't Mentioned — Jio Circle Restriction

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One Cost Correction

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Everything Else: Covered

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Jio IR Pack — Activation Rules

"If activating the IR pack for the first time, ensure you connect to the Jio network."

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Exact Timing Recommendation

• Gives time to confirm activation in MyJio app
• If something goes wrong (activation failure, plan not reflecting), you have time to call Jio support
• The 30-day validity clock starts from activation, so activating 1–2 days early only costs you 1–2 days of the pack — negligible

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How to Activate

1. Open MyJio app → Recharge → International Roaming → Select ₹2,555 US Pack
2. Or recharge directly on jio.com
3. Confirm you receive an SMS from Jio confirming IR activation
4. Go to phone Settings → Mobile Networks → Enable roaming (some phones have this off by default)
5. Once you land in the US, your phone auto-connects to a partner network (AT&T or T-Mobile usually)

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Pre-Departure Checklist (Final Version)

• Activate Jio ₹2,555 IR pack 1–2 days before flight while on Jio network in India
• Enable data roaming in phone settings
• Enable WiFi Calling for Jio SIM in phone settings
• Set Jio conditional call forwarding: **62*+1[USMobilenumber]#
• Buy US Mobile eSIM online → install profile (don't activate yet)
• Set reminder for Day 28 to renew IR pack (before it lapses)