Why roam?
Roaming with your mobile is both easy and convenient. You can keep your number whilst overseas without having to worry about changing handsets. But it’s not always cheap. Many of us will have heard horror stories of people coming back from overseas with a nasty phone bill that’s more than $1000. Phone companies rightly refer to this as “bill shock,” and it can be avoided if you check your roaming charges before you leave.
How much?
Many people have a pre-conceived idea that data roaming is cheaper than call roaming, which is generally not the case. Most phone companies charge between 1-2 cents per kilobyte. To give you a better idea, this is about equal to half a web page of only text, so the cents can quickly turn into dollars. Also be aware that roaming charges are charged outside the usual monthly fees, and are not included in your regular cap.
I need to use data roaming, but how can I keep the fees down?
Be aware of the type of phone you have, and how quickly it consumes data. Smartphones, such as the iPhone or Blackberry have gone into mainstream use and use more data than a regular phone. You need to be particularly careful when travelling – unless you physically switch off the wireless/3G connection, these handsets can continuously use data by checking for emails or updating applications. Even if you receive a notification that you have a new email, but you don’t actually open it, this still uses data, and there is a charge for it.
To avoid the extra fees, you can switch off the 3G connection through the settings. This will mean your phone is not continuously downloading updates. You can still use wireless networks such as in Internet cafes and many hotels. If you connect to one of the wireless networks but don’t switch off the 3G, your phone may look for the stronger signal, which could be the local 3G network.
Another option if you are taking your phone overseas is to buy a local sim card to put in your phone. Before you leave, make sure your handset isn’t locked to your mobile network by checking with your phone company. A hard locked phone means there will be a charge to unlock it, and a soft locked phone can be unlocked free of charge.
Some mobile companies also sell roaming data. While it can still be expensive, it will be cheaper than using the regular data overseas. Check on your mobile company’s website to see what is available.
Keep in mind that not all companies will automatically notify you when your bill reaches an excessive amount, so don’t rely on it, especially when you’re overseas. Some plan providers will bar outgoing calls and data from your phone if your spend is a lot higher than usual, so check this with your phone company.
The best way to keep track of how much you’ve used is to set up your online mobile account through your plan provider, which should include a usage tracker. Also bear in mind that sometimes there is a delay on the tracking, and it may be up to 24-48 hours behind your current usage, so read the fine print. If you rely on phoning in to receive an SMS or automated message to access your usage details, there may be a different number to call when phoning from overseas, and you can check this on your company’s website.
Bill Shock
Roaming has gained popularity for its convenience, and an increasing need to be connected whenever and wherever. If you are relying on data roaming or you’re already anticipating a large bill, it is worth giving your mobile company a call when you have received the invoice to discuss how it reached that amount. Be aware that the dates in the itemized section of the bill may not match the dates that you used data roaming, as it can take some time for phone companies to receive the data information from overseas.
While you may not be able to get any charges waived, the plan provider should be able to clearly explain the charges with you. See what you can negotiate with the customer service representative – it doesn’t hurt to ask. Most plan providers should also be happy to provide you with an extension on your bill if you need it.