Roaming Tips While Travelling

It’s happening. We heard about obnoxious roaming charges from our friends, our kids, media and - some of us experienced it first hand. We take our vacation, we are happy to leave everyday life and have at least six no pressure, relaxing days and at some point we turn on our cell phone and text or take a photo and – forget to turn it off. 

Unfortunately data usage is growing by minute, or by MB. We return home, fresh and full of energy and we find that our cell phone bill is as high as sky. Surprise is replaced with certainty that it was a mistake and after discussion with mobile provider we are shocked, angry, disappointed and – deflated.

What we all should know about roaming before we travel?

1. Roaming is a service that allows you to use your cell phone outside of your provider's coverage area and it is expensive both for incoming and outgoing calls.

2. Before you travel, contact your service provider and check your Contract. If you have a nationwide coverage plan, roaming charges may apply just when you travel outside of Canada.

3. Don’t forget that Roaming charges apply not just to voice calls, but text messages, the transmission of pictures, Internet access and other data that you receive, upload or send when outside your home network

4. Your  roaming charges will soar  simply by leaving your Smartphone turned on while travelling outside your home area so shut of the phone, turn off network connections or set your phone on airplane mode.

I checked few of our Top Mobile providers – Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Fido, Wind and Virgin Mobile.

All of them have plans or roaming data pass (Rogers, TELUS), bundles and pay- per – use rates (Bell). All prices are very similar.

I like that TELUS has Data Travel Tracker Tool and Data Calculator. It’s very simple, everybody can use it, even if you are not TELUS user.

Look if your provider has Threshold. TELUS has data blocking tool that block any usage over 100 threshold. Nicely, they send text message when you reach that. Similar is with Rogers - no overage fees - data usage is suspended when the Roaming Data Pass usage or time limit is reached.

With Bell you'll always be billed per minute, in Canadian funds. Wind has flat rate (20c/min) or plans and Virgin is charging 75c for sent text (incoming are free!!).

The most important Q is - How do I know I am roaming?

Easy – look to where you typically see your carrier’s name on the phone screen. If it’s a different company, that means you are using their network. They’re going to charge your carrier for that activity, and that’s what shows up on your bill.

Also, when you arrive in a place outside home network, your provider will send you a text message to alert you that you are now roaming.

In conclusion: 

Rule No 1 – Contact your carrier before trip and know your Contract.

2. Don’t leave your cell phone ON and definitely turn OFF Data roaming and service whenever your cell phone is on.

SIM card, Photo by Lasop, Stock xchange

3. There are many Wi-Fi FREE hotspots around the world and use it when you need to connect to Internet. I always carry my mini iPad, but having your own hotspot may always be good investment too if you are frequent traveller.

4. As an alternative to roaming, in many countries you can get access to local wireless service, by obtaining a SIM card from one of the local service providers in the area you will be travelling to, or by purchasing an inexpensive pre-paid phone.

With these Rules your cell/mobile Bill will never be high!

Now, you can have a great vacation!

 

Scuba in Cuba, Photo coutesy of  E.B.