Understanding Data Roaming: 5 Simple Explanations for Everyday Mobile Users
If you’re not a fan of having to buy a new eSIM and data package every time you travel abroad, data roaming could be the perfect solution for you.
You must have probably stumbled upon the data roaming option on your smartphone, or perhaps noticed an advertisement on data roaming packages provided by a carrier.
But what exactly is data roaming, and how do you turn it on?
Keep scrolling to find out all you need to know about data roaming– including:
👉 How much does data roaming cost?
👉 How to manage data roaming costs?
👉 How to get a data roaming package?
1. What is Data Roaming?
Data roaming means that your phone is using a different network– other than your local country network to access the internet in the form of 2g, 3g, 4g, or 5g. This happens when you travel to another country or region where your local country’s network is not available.
For example, with data roaming, if you live in the US and travel to Thailand, your phone will automatically connect to a local Thai network to use data services like browsing, streaming, or downloading.
Data roaming can be a very useful connectivity tool as it can enable you to stay connected and use your phone as usual even when you’re abroad– without having to go through the hassle of changing your eSIM.
2. How to Turn on Data Roaming?
To use data roaming, you need to turn it on in your phone settings. The process may differ slightly depending on whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, but here are the general steps:
Data Roaming on iPhone:
● Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options
● Tap on Roaming and toggle on Data Roaming
Data Roaming on Android:
● Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network
● Tap on Roaming and toggle on Data Roaming
Should Data Roaming Always Be On?
You don’t need to keep data roaming on all the time. In fact, it’s better to turn it off when you’re not using it to avoid any unnecessary charges being charged by your data roaming provider.
You can also turn off data roaming when you’re in an area where there’s free Wi-Fi available, such as a hotel, cafe, or airport. This way, you can still use the internet without utilising your data roaming plan.
Check out some of the hacks digital nomads use to stay connected worldwide here.
3. How Much Does Data Roaming Cost?
Data roaming can make life very easy for you as a traveller. However, it can also be expensive because your home network may charge you extra fees for using a foreign network.
These fees are called roaming charges and they can vary depending on your carrier, plan, and destination. Some carriers may offer free or discounted roaming in certain countries or regions, while others may charge high fees for every MB of data you use.
To put it into numbers, data roaming can cost you from anywhere between $5 to $15 per GB. To find out how much data roaming costs for your specific case, you should check with your carrier before you travel.
Alternatively, you can get a Prepaid eSIM that allows you to use the mobile internet abroad at a fixed cost.
4. How to Manage Data Roaming Costs?
Here are some useful tips you can use to manage data roaming costs:
● Set a data limit and alert on your phone. This will help you monitor how much data you’re using and warn you when you’re close to reaching your limit.
● Turn off automatic updates and syncs. Some apps may update or sync in the background without your knowledge, consuming data in the process. You can prevent this by turning off these features in your app settings or phone settings.
● Use offline mode or download content in advance. If you already know beforehand that you will need certain apps or content while travelling– such as maps, podcasts, or videos, it may be wise to download them before you leave or when you have Wi-Fi access. Then, you can use them offline without using any data, subsequently helping you save a significant amount of costs on data roaming.
5. How To Get a Data Roaming Plan?
Arguably, the best way to manage data roaming costs is to get an international data roaming plan. Almost all major internet providers globally have now started providing data roaming plans.
Getting these plans can substantially bring down the costs for data roaming from $10 per GB to around $30 to $50 per month for unlimited data.
A data roaming plan is a bundle of data that you can use while travelling for a fixed price. Depending on your carrier and plan, you may be able to get a daily, weekly, or monthly plan that suits your needs and budget.
So, how exactly can one get a roaming plan?
To get a data roaming plan, you need to contact your carrier before you travel and ask them about their available options. You can also check their website or app and look for their international roaming plans and packages.
Once you get a data roaming plan, make sure it is active before you leave your home country.
Read more on cost-effective prepaid international SIM cards here.
Wrapping Up
To wrap it up, in the increasingly globalised world of today, data roaming is a great way to stay connected on your trip. Furthermore, it is all the more suitable for you if you’re a frequent traveller between different countries.
The 5 simple explanations, alongside our tips are more than enough to help you figure out the essentials of data roaming.
If you found this helpful, feel free to share this with your friends and family who may find data roaming to be very useful.