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Q: How do I know my phone is roaming? A: There is a word or indicator on the screen of your phone. Indicators can be a  (triangle) or an "R", words can say "Roam" or
"Extended Network". Sometimes the name of the network you are roaming
on appears. Q: What is Roaming? A; Cellular Roaming allows mobile wireless customers to automatically receive service when they are outside of the area covered by their "home" provider's network. Mobile wireless service providers enter into roaming agreements with each other so that their customers will be able roam and receive service automatically, regardless of their location. The FCC has recognized the importance of roaming for mobile consumers and requires mobile wireless service operators to provide automatic voice roaming. In 2011, the FCC adopted rules requiring facilities-based providers of commercial mobile data services to offer data roaming arrangements to other such providers on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, subject to certain limitations. Also, while there are agreements between carriers based in the US with those in foreign countries, those agreements are not as favorable as they are within the US. Q: How do I call someone who is roaming in another state or country? A: You just call their normal cell number. If their phone is on while roaming, their cellular carrier will have a record of where they are and route your call appropriately. Q: What does a flashing Roaming indicator tell me? A: Flashing normally tells you you are roaming on a "friendly" system and should mean you won't receive any roaming charges. A solid indicator could mean you will receive charges unless your wireless plan includes free roaming. Q: My plan includes "No Roaming Charges". Can I ignore any roaming indicators? A: Usually, yes. However all plans are not equal, so you need to ask your carrier what kind of roaming will cause extra charges. Most phones won't roam on systems that will produce charges, but that is not universally true. Q: My phone says I'm Roaming. How do I know what network it's using? A: The easiest way is to enter an invalid phone number, like "1234" and try to make a call. The system should return a recorded error message that may include their name or a number that identifies their SID. You might also check among your Display options. There should be a menu selection for "Network" or "Other Information". Most phones will show an "SID" number. Compare that to our SID List to see what system you are using. Some phones show the network name on the screen.
(Using your own US-based phone while roaming internationally): Q. How do I call back to the US when roaming outside the country? A: Normally, you enter the same sequence of numbers the locals use to make international calls. In some cases you add a "01" or a "001" before the US Area Code and number. There is a short cut for most GSM phone users (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc), by entering a "+" before your number. The foreign system figures out the roaming codes automatically, but you still must enter a "1" before all US numbers. Unless you have these codes programmed into your phone book, none of your entries, including the voice mail button, will work. Q. Will I be charged long distance in addition to the per-minute roaming rate? A. Normally, calls you make or receive while roaming internationally are charged at the per-minute voice roaming rate, with no additional long distance charges. Q. How am I charged for voice mail calls while roaming internationally? A. Voice mail calls are charged the same as calls to the US. With a GSM phone, incoming calls that try to ring your phone but are not answered, are normally charged as an international roaming incoming call to your device, even if the caller does not leave a message. You may also incur a charge for and outbound call back to your home voice mail system. If your device is turned off or in flight mode, the network does not try to deliver the call to you in a foreign country, so there are no international roaming charges. A. Yes, most cruise lines offer roaming service for their passengers, but since the connection is satellite-based, it is not cheap. You need to be careful in port that you call is being delivered by the right roaming carrier, and not the ship's. Q. Can I access data services while traveling abroad? A. Text Messaging is typically available in all countries. Picture, video messaging and GPRS data services are available in fewer countries, and access to mobile broadband 3G networks less than that. Q. Do I still have unlimited data usage when I travel outside the US? A. Most likely, no. However, unlimited data use may be available in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Q. How do I minimize my charges when I use Cellular Data outside the U.S.? A. Smart phones have many robust applications, so it's natural for users to transfer more data on their smart phones than they would using other handsets or PDA devices. AT&T offers the following tips to keep your bill predictable:
A: First, try calling "611". In many cases the roaming carrier forwards your call to your home system without charge. Failing that, your home carrier also has regular (non-800) numbers that do not incur any per-minute charges. Look these up before you leave. The number for Verizon Wireless is (908) 559 4899. |
THE ROAMING ZONE FAQ: