What is data roaming? Definition, cost, and the ways to turn it on or off on your phone

What is data roaming?

Data roaming occurs when your phone uses mobile data outside your mobile carrier’s network range. Simply put, if you travel to Australia or any other country that spans beyond your carrier’s home network, you’ll have to connect to the foreign (in this case, Australian) provider’s network to use the internet. That is data roaming.

You might wonder how it’s possible to use a foreign provider’s network without being their client. Well, major cell service providers often have agreements with foreign carriers to allow visitors from other countries to connect to their networks. So when you use data roaming, a foreign provider grants your device access, tracks your data usage, and sends it back to your carrier, letting it know how much data you’ve spent while posting silly kangaroo selfies to your Instagram account.

What does data roaming do?

Data roaming allows you to use cellular data networks and access mobile data in regions not covered by your carrier’s network. It’s a nifty feature that lets you access mobile data instantly, even if you’re far from home. Data roaming is so accessible to use that most modern cell phones allow automatic connection to foreign carrier networks, with some carriers even offering international data roaming plans with reduced fees.

Data roaming vs. cellular data

When comparing data roaming and cellular data, the difference between the two services (at least in terms of their working principle) is not that huge. Technically, you could say that cellular data is the same as data roaming, except cellular data comes from your carrier’s network and is quite cheaper than using data roaming abroad (because it doesn’t need an intermediary to provide you access to mobile data). That is one of the main differences between domestic and international data roaming. 

Additionally, when it comes to mobile data vs. data roaming, they differ in their scope, service providers, and availability. For example, some international data roaming options may not be available due to the specifics of your carrier or lack of agreements between service providers. Other data roaming types (such as regional roaming) might offer coverage only in specific locations.

How to turn data roaming on and off

While most phones allow automatic roaming connection, you can still toggle this feature on or off in your cell phone’s settings whenever you please.

1. Navigate to your phone’s settings menu.

2. Find the SIM card and mobile connections menu (depending on your mobile device model, it will be under different names, such as “SIM cards and mobile networks” or “wireless networks”).

3. Find the “Data roaming” section.

4. Toggle the switch according to your preferences.

Should your data roaming be on or off? Well, if you’re not planning a trip abroad, we recommend turning your data roaming off to avoid accidental connections to foreign networks and safeguard yourself from unexpected roaming costs.

When traveling, it’s useful to manually observe your phone’s roaming data so you can keep track of your data limits and avoid overspending. You can check your roaming data on your phone’s settings in the “Data roaming” section. To check the current period roaming data on an iPhone, go to “Mobile service” and then look for “Current period roaming” to find the exact amount of used roaming data.

When is data roaming required?

Data roaming is a great choice if you want quick access to mobile data while traveling outside your mobile network’s coverage area. For example, if there’s an emergency during your trip that requires using a mobile network, turning on data roaming can help you access mobile data in seconds. However, in theory, alternatives to data roaming (such as an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi) exist, so you might not be required to ever use it. 

How much does data roaming cost?

Data roaming prices vary depending on your service provider and the destination. They can range from US$0.20-2.00 per MB in neighboring countries to US$2.00/MB and more in more remote locations or places with fewer carrier agreements. In addition, carriers may offer special fees for international roaming, daily data plans, etc.

How to avoid data roaming charges

The easiest way to avoid data roaming charges is to use data roaming as little as possible. To do so, you can use airplane mode to avoid accidentally using mobile data while traveling or simply switch data roaming off when not using it. You can also just turn off mobile data on your mobile device to avoid using mobile data altogether.

Alternatives to data roaming

We’ve already mentioned that data roaming isn’t the only way to access mobile data when traveling. So what are the alternatives to mobile data roaming?

• eSIM. It’s by far the best alternative to mobile data roaming. An eSIM doesn’t require a physical SIM card and offers cheaper mobile data options such as the Saily eSIM data app, which lets you instantly get affordable data packages while traveling. In addition, the app allows users to set eSIM hotspots and share mobile data with others.

• Pocket Wi-Fi. Another alternative to mobile data roaming, pocket Wi-Fi can be a great option for those traveling in remote areas where getting a proper mobile data connection is hard. However, pocket Wi-Fi is often highly expensive and requires users to carry a portable Wi-Fi router for a stable connection.

• Local SIM cards. Probably the least convenient alternative to mobile data roaming, local SIM cards may offer cheaper mobile data options. Still, they can impose other headaches, such as time consumption, complicated setup, or impractical data plans.