What Is Data Roaming? Should It Be On or Off?

Picture this: You’re on the trip of your dreams halfway around the globe, enjoying the sun, sea, and sand. We’re talking bucket list adventures. 

Then your phone vibrates. 

It’s an email notification from your mobile provider, and your heart sinks as you open it. You've racked up a phone bill in the thousands 😱

This is the terrifying reality for some travellers who forget to switch data roaming off. 

But what is data roaming? And when is it okay to turn on? 

_{What is data roaming?} 

Normally, your phone relies on local cell towers to connect you to your home network using cellular data. Your home provider owns the cellular towers and network infrastructure. They also set the pricing for data usage in your country. When you travel, you stop using cellular data and start using roaming data.

Your mobile provider will have roaming agreements with network providers in other countries to keep you connected outside your coverage area, so you can continue to use mobile data while abroad.

_{Cellular data vs. roaming data: what’s the difference?}

Both cellular data and roaming data allow you to access the internet without Wi-Fi, but they function differently depending on your location and network.

_{Cellular Data}

• Uses your home mobile network to connect to the internet.
• Works within your country or coverage area without extra charges (as long as you're within your plan's limits).

_{Roaming Data}

• Occurs when you use the internet outside your home country or outside your carrier’s network.
• Your phone connects to a partner network in the foreign location, often incurring extra charges.

_{Why is data roaming so expensive?} 

To keep you connected while abroad, your mobile provider partners with a foreign provider. So when you switch data roaming on, you'll automatically connect to their network. The costs you incur depend on the agreements between your home provider and that foreign provider.

Providers charge roaming fees based on these agreements, often attributing the high costs to their investment in roaming technology, security, and infrastructure. However, other factors also play a role.

The limited competition in the roaming market can lead to higher prices since your home provider can only choose between a few leading providers in any given country or coverage area. Once they choose a partner and negotiate a roaming agreement, you're stuck with that provider and subjected to their fees. Your home provider pays these fees on your behalf and passes the costs onto you, often with an added markup to cover their expenses and make a profit.

Fortunately, there are other ways to stay connected (while avoiding roaming fees.)

_{5 ways to avoid roaming charges} 

Let's dive into five tips to avoid those pesky roaming charges

_{1. Buy a local SIM card or eSIM}

Consider buying a local SIM card or eSIM for access to local data, calls, and texts. It's an affordable way to stay connected without worrying about roaming charges.

Wait, what is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a tiny chip embedded directly into your smartphone or other device's motherboard (yes, your phone probably has one).

They're like digital versions of traditional SIM cards, but you don't insert or swap out anything. Especially useful for travelling, simply download a prepaid plan and adjust a few settings in your smartphone to unlock local networks everywhere, plus all the mobile data you need!

What makes eSIM even more convenient is the flexibility. For example, a prepaid eSIM plan comes in the form of:

United Kingdom 30 GB

EE UK

30GB

$19.00

30 Days

Unlimited Local Mins

Unlimited SMS Texts

Buy now

Exclusive

Single-Country Plans (Choose From 200+ Destinations)

Caribbean Travel eSIM 10GB

Digicel

10GB

$41.00

22 Countries

30 Days

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Multi-Destination Plans

Global 10 GB

Orange FR

10GB

$32.00

156 Countries

14 Days

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and Global Plans that automatically connect to new networks as you cross borders.

_{2. Get an international roaming plan}

Before you jet off, check with your home provider about international plans. Many providers offer packages with data, calls, and texts at a fixed rate. Ask your provider or check their website for details.

_{3. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible}

Wi-Fi is your best friend when travelling. Connect to Wi-Fi at your hotel, in cafes, and other public spots to use data-heavy apps and make calls via services like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Just make sure the network is secure to protect your personal information.

_{4. Download offline content}

Download maps, travel guides, and entertainment before you leave. Apps like Google Maps allow you to download areas for offline use, so you won’t need data to find your way around. Also, download your favorite shows and music for offline enjoyment.

_{5. Turn off data roaming}

If you don't have a travel SIM/eSIM or international roaming plan in place, keep data roaming turned off to prevent your phone from using data automatically and incurring unexpected charges.

_{When should I turn data roaming on or off?}

When you’re at home, your local (cellular) data plan will cover all your needs, so your data roaming should be switched off or it might inadvertently connect you to other networks, resulting in unexpected costs. When data roaming is off, your phone will connect only to authorised cell towers, per your plan.

As a rule of thumb, data roaming should be OFF unless:

1. You plan to use a travel SIM card or eSIM

Alternatively, you can land in almost any country and buy a local SIM card in minutes. You can also purchase a local eSIM online for the region you’re visiting. Some travel SIM card and eSIM providers will ask you to enable roaming. Don't worry, in this circumstance, it's completely safe.

2. You have a roaming plan that includes your destination

If your home provider offers an international data roaming package that includes the country you’re visiting, you may be able to switch data roaming on. These roaming perks may be included in your plan already. Always check the details of your plan before you travel anywhere.

_{How do you turn data roaming on and off?}

To turn data roaming on or off, the steps are different for iOS (iPhone) and Android devices.

_{For iOS (iPhone)}

1. Go to Settings 
2. Tap on Cellular or Mobile Service
3. Select Cellular or Mobile Data Options. (If you have multiple SIMs, select the specific plan under SIMs)
4. Toggle Data Roaming ON/OFF

_{For Android}

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on Network & Internet or Connections (depending on your device)
3. Select Mobile Network or Mobile Networks
4. Toggle Data Roaming ON/OFF

OR

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on Network & Internet or Connections (depending on your device)
3. Select SIM Manager or SIMs
4. Select your SIM plan
5. Toggle Data Roaming ON/OFF

_{How does data roaming work in Europe?} 

Data roaming in Europe is now more straightforward and affordable thanks to the EU's "Roam Like at Home" initiative, in effect since June 2017. This means you can use your mobile phone for calls, texts, and data across the EU without any extra charges, just as you would at home. However, there is a fair use policy to prevent abuse, so if you spend more time abroad than at home and use your phone excessively, your provider may impose charges.

This regulation only applies to EU countries, so non-EU countries like Switzerland or the United Kingdom may have different roaming charges (always verify with your provider). Data speed and quality depend on local networks, which are generally reliable but can vary. Your phone will automatically connect to a preferred local network partner, so you can enjoy continuous connectivity during your travels.

_{Is roaming data slower than local (cellular) data?} 

Roaming data is usually slower than your cellular data connection because mobile networks tend to prioritise local users over roaming customers. But other factors come into play, too. Network compatibility, congestion, and local signal strength all affect roaming data speed.

But not all provider partnerships are created equal. Some providers have better agreements with foreign networks, ensuring their customers get priority or access to faster services. If your provider has a strong partnership with the local network, you may enjoy faster speeds.

Some mobile providers even implement throttling policies where they reduce your data speed after a certain usage limit. This can happen both domestically and internationally. If you’re on a plan (like some unlimited data plans) that includes such a policy, your speed might be reduced after you hit the threshold.