What Does Data Roaming Mean?
Roaming refers to the continued data service you get when you go outside your mobile operator’s coverage area. In other words, you’re roaming when you move away from your covered zone—the area where your wireless carrier provides data services. You can continue accessing the internet or making calls when traveling internationally because of cooperative agreements between your cellular provider and other network operators. However, fees are usually involved for international usage. You trigger data roaming fees when you make or receive phone calls, send or receive text messages, and download or upload anything to the internet. This includes reading emails, viewing web pages, streaming videos, and saving pictures to the cloud. A brief overview of the different ways you can be roaming with your smartphone (intentionally or not) may help you avoid these charges.
How Voice Roaming and Texting Affect Data Roaming
When you travel internationally, the following activities could result in roaming charges:
You make a phone call. A friend calls you. You don’t need to answer the call to be charged for it. If your device is on and the call goes to voicemail, it’ll be charged as an international roaming incoming call. You send a text message or multimedia message while abroad. You receive a text message or multimedia message while abroad. If the device is off or in airplane mode (and the wireless network is off), and the call goes to voicemail, you won’t be charged. However, visual voicemail messages when roaming are charged a roaming rate.
Other Activities That Affect Data Roaming
Data usage sneaks up on many people. We’ve all heard horror stories about travelers who racked up huge phone bills. The problem is that the price for data is usually based on the volume of data—in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes—which is hard to eyeball. So, to avoid data roaming charges, be vigilant about keeping an eye on your data consumption. Also, sometimes services and apps connect to the internet without your knowledge, adding to your bill. If you use certain services over your phone plan rather than a Wi-Fi network while you travel internationally, they count as data roaming and include:
Reading, sending, and receiving emails. Looking up an address on Google Maps or other online maps. Doing a web search. Visiting any web page. Watching an online video. Opening an app that connects to the internet.
International Roaming Rates and Coverage
Rates for roaming vary depending on where you go and whether you’re texting or calling. They also vary by service provider. Here’s an overview of the major U.S. wireless carriers:
Verizon Roaming: Verizon offers different options for customers who travel internationally. AT&T Roaming: AT&T offers international packages and other options, including special cruise ship plans. T-Mobile’s Roaming Rates: Check rates for foreign countries as well as cruise ships on their website.
