What Is International Roaming? Your Ultimate Guide
Mobile phones are great at keeping your connected, except when you take yours overseas and are unable to be connected or get hit with a massive bill when you get home. Get informed about international roaming so you can make the most of your phone without getting post-travel bill shock.
What is international roaming
International global roaming allows you to use your existing mobile SIM plan to make calls, send SMS messages and use data while overseas. International roaming applies when you are outside of Australia’s borders. Once you are international roaming, roaming rates apply whether you call or text back home or are calling to check your hotel reservation locally in the country you are in.
International roaming may not be available with every mobile provider so it’s best to check if it is available or even eligible on your current mobile plan. amaysim does support international roaming with any of our mobile services through International Roaming Packs.
How does international roaming work and what are the benefits?
Most telecommunications providers have international roaming agreements with overseas mobile provider networks. This allows you to use one of the country’s local mobile networks on your international roaming supported SIM and can be used with a range of devices, including your mobile phone and tablet.
For example, amaysim gives existing customers the option of buying an international roaming pack to be used to many selected overseas destinations. This is an amazing arrangement that allows you to use your existing mobile number and SIM easily and conveniently while travelling abroad.
What are the downsides to international roaming?
International roaming usually comes at a significant cost. This leads to bill shock because you will be spending more money than you typically would.
On average across all providers, when you are international roaming you’re looking at between 50-75c per text or between $1-$3 per minute of calling time or MB of data (according to The Australian Communications and Media Authority). To put that last figure into perspective, you could be up for between $42 and $125 for the pleasure of watching a 5-minute YouTube video or a few minutes of reels. Even posting a quick pic on Instagram might cost over $1. If you get lost, using Google Maps to get orientated could cost a couple of dollars for 5 minutes of wayfinding.
Suffice to say, if your mobile provider doesn’t have set International Roaming Packs to mitigate costs it can be quite costly to have international roaming switched on.
What options are there for maximising convenience and minimising cost?
A little bit of preparation and research goes a long way in preventing unplanned international roaming costs.
1. Switch data roaming off when not in use
When you’re overseas, keep your data roaming setting off most of the time and toggle it on only when you need to make a call or do a quick internet search.
That way, you’ll be more aware of your international roaming usage and not accidentally have your apps using data in the background or automatically downloading the latest updates.
See how to switch on and off international roaming towards the end of this article.
2. Make use of Wi-Fi opportunities
While you’re overseas, there will be times when you have access to a Wi-Fi network. Airports, cafes, other food outlets, shopping malls, public libraries or your hotel (though this might incur its own cost depending on the accommodation) are some examples of places where you could be able to access Wi-Fi connections.
You may not be able to make your normal mobile calls, but you can make good use of this time by checking your messaging apps, getting emails or downloading any media you’ll need for the part of your trip. Most map apps allow you to download offline maps to be browsed while you are not online which is a great way to save on navigation data use.
3. Get a local SIM card or Wi-Fi hotspot
It’s not as convenient as international roaming but planning to buy a local SIM once you arrive at your destination can be the most affordable way to use your phone or other device. This is especially good for calling within the country you’ve bought the SIM from but make sure you check international rates before calling home.
Some countries and locations allow you to rent a Wi-Fi hotspot device. While this won’t allow you to make normal calls, it is an option to provide internet access to not only your mobile phone but your tablets, laptops and gaming devices.
These options are trickier if you travel between multiple countries as you then will need multiple SIMs, which will consume more time and money. It may be better to convert your current amaysim SIM to an eSIM so you can free up your SIM card slot to change SIM cards easily.
4. Get International Roaming Packs/Add-ons
Some mobile providers have international roaming add-ons or packs that may contain access to talk, text and/or data inclusions that aim to reduce the chance of bill shock while overseas.
amaysim have a range of International Roaming Packs that do just that. Existing customers are able to choose between packs that include pre-purchased amounts of standard talk (incoming and outgoing calls), standard text (SMS) and/or data inclusions to suit your travel needs.
They are a good way to stay connected to your Australian number making it easier to stay connected with friends, family and meet your account authentication needs with your many of your services like your bank or other financial providers.
Track your usage and pay attention to alerts
When you enable international roaming, make sure you take note on how you will receive notifications for talk, text and data allocations and usage while roaming.
We recommend you opt in for both text and email notifications. Alerts are important, it will let you know your usage so you can either turn off international roaming or top up your account or pack. Note that there can be a delay of 48 hours on usage alerts.
With amaysim, you can track your international roaming use at any time via your amaysim app.
How do I activate international roaming?
It’s important to activate international roaming with your network provider before you leave Australia’s shores. While it’s still possible to do this overseas you will most likely need internet access to do so.
With amaysim, you can activate international roaming via your amaysim app by purchasing the international roaming pack.
How do I then switch international roaming on and off?
Once you’ve activated roaming, you might wish to switch it on and off during your travels, as a way of controlling the use of your International Roaming Pack inclusions.
How to turn on international roaming on and off in your iPhone
- Head to Settings
- Select Mobile Data
- Click on Mobile Data Options
In this section, the top option is ‘Data Roaming’, which you can then easily toggle on. Use the same steps to turn off international roaming.
How to switch international roaming on and off in your Android phone
- Go to Settings
- Tap Connections
- Select Mobile Networks
In this section, ‘Data Roaming’ is the top option and you can easily toggle this option on or off. Use this same pathway to know how to turn off international roaming.
Let's go roaming
Now you know all about international roaming: how it works, how to activate it and use it to maximise convenience and minimises unexpected costs.
Happy travels!
How do I activate international roaming?
It’s important to activate international roaming with your network provider before you leave Australia’s shores. While it’s still possible to do this overseas you will most likely need internet access to do so.
With amaysim, you can activate international roaming via your amaysim app by purchasing the international roaming pack.
In an iPhone, go to Settings – Mobile Data – Mobile Data Options – Data Roaming.
For an Android phone, head to Settings – Connections – Mobile Networks – Data Roaming. Then toggle to ‘on’.
Don’t forget to buy your international roaming packs through your amaysim app before you start your travels.
Toggle international roaming off in the same way you switched it on:
In an iPhone, go to Settings – Mobile Data – Mobile Data Options – Data Roaming.
For an Android phone, head to Settings – Connections – Mobile Networks – Data Roaming. Then toggle to ‘off’.
No, each mobile provider will set their own charges for international roaming. Each mobile provider have their own eligibility and rates, so best to check on these before you go on your trip. Check out amaysim’s international roaming packs for comparison.
You do not need international roaming activated or switched on while travelling overseas to access free or paid Wi-Fi provided.
If you turn on international roaming, you’ll be able to use your Australian SIM while overseas in certain countries listed out by your mobile provider. This is convenient but can come with high per-use costs. Even if you’ve researched the costs of calls and data, you may get a shock because our devices use data at times when we’re unaware of it, like updating apps.
Prepaid packs like amaysim’s international roaming packs help you keep on top of your usage and top up when you need.
