How Do You Prevent Roaming Charges? is a question we all ask especially when we are traveling internationally. Roaming charges can be costly and so we are always looking for ways to prevent roaming charges.
This article will share tips to help you to prevent roaming charges. Please feel free to share some ways you implement to help prevent roaming charges when traveling.
Turn Off Data Roaming
When you turn off roaming on your phone, you are simply preventing your phone from connecting to data networks.
So even when roaming is turned off on your phone, you will still be able to use your phone to talk and text. You just wont be able to read your emails, UNLESS you connect to a Wi-Fi.
Depending on the phone you have, each phone requires a different method to turn off roaming. For instance, if you own an Android phone, go to Apps, select Settings, and click on Mobile networks, select the Data roaming slider to set it to Off/white.
On the other hand, if you own an iPhone, you need to go to settings app which is found on your home screen, click on Cellular, select the data roaming slider to set it to Off/white.
Furthermore, if you own a Blackberry phone, go to your application list, click on settings, tap the networks and connections, select Mobile Network, then click on Data services while roaming and set it off.
Please note: If you wish to use the WiFi on your phone, ensure the data roaming is off, because if you leave the WiFi coverage or if the WiFi coverage signal is weak, your phone may switch to a mobile network in the country you are in, thus incurring roaming charges. So make sure your data roaming is off if you want to only use the WiFi.
Turn Off Data And WiFi
If you don’t want to turn off the roaming feature, you could turn off the data and WiFi by setting your phone to airplane or flight mode. This will prevent you from talking, texting and using data.
If you are unsure of how to set your phone on Airplane mode, please check below for the type of phone you have and follow the steps.
Android Phones – Swipe down from the top of the screen two times and that will open the Quick Settings panel. Then search for the Airplane mode, tap it and your phone will then be in airplane mode.
iPhone – You need to go to Settings > Airplane Mode and tap the slider to turn it on.
Windows Phones – You need to go to the App list, tap settings, then tap system, and then tap Airplane Mode. Tap the slider to turn on the Airplane Mode.
Blackberry phones – Swipe down from the top of the screen two times and that will open the Quick Settings panel. Then search for the Airplane mode, tap it and your phone will then be in airplane mode.
Please remember to turn your data and WiFi back on when you come back.
Shut Off Your Phone.
In fact, this is the simplest way to avoid roaming charges on your phone. Turn it off before you travel. And you can keep it at home or you can take it with you, but ensure it will remain off the whole time you are out of the country.
Get A Travel Plan
Depending on your carrier or service provider, you need to check to see what type of travel plans they have that would suit your needs.
Some travel plans are better than others. Having said that, some are more expensive than others, so make sure you shop around and you do your research before you get a travel plan.
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Suspend your home cell phone Plan.
If you decide to suspend your home cell phone plan before traveling, you would need to contact your service provider ahead of time to do that. But that won’t mean you will lose your number, you will still have the same number when you come back.
Having said that, this is great if you plan to travel for a few months. And so if you decide to use a Local SIM card, it wouldn’t make sense to be paying for 2 phone bills. But please check with your carrier to see if they allow you to do that. Some service providers may not allow it if you are on a contract with them.
Purchase A Local SIM Card In The Country You Are Traveling To.
This could be the best option for you when traveling internationally. A lot of travelers people find they will spend less money purchasing a local SIM card than they would spend on adding a travel pack from their service provider.
Having said that, you could ask your friends if they have been to the country you’re traveling to, and if they have used a Local SIM while staying there, then you can compare that cost to the price of the travel plan your service provider is giving you.
Lastly, in order for you to use this option, you must ensure that your phone is unlocked and is compatible. Otherwise, your phone will not work.
Purchase An International Prepaid SIM
So depending on where you plan to travel, you could purchase a prepaid SIM which you could use in the country you plan to travel to and not have to worry about incurring roaming charges.
READ MORE:
Best Prepaid International SIM Card For US and Mexico
Traveling From Canada To UK And Need A SIM Card?
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That’s it, folks. This is how you could prevent roaming charges. Thanks for reading. If you have any question, please leave it in the comment below.