[Kacey Green]

I just ask the carrier for the sim unlock code, before travelling, so the prepaid sim will work with no issues

T-MO has done this for every phone I've owned from them since 2004 about two per year on average. But only really one device per year when looking at model changes among all those phones.

[Kacey Green]

I just ask the carrier for the sim unlock code, before travelling, so the prepaid sim will work with no issues

T-MO has done this for every phone I've owned from them since 2004 about two per year on average. But only really one device per year when looking at model changes among all those phones.

[ScottC]

Originally Posted by kerrins

I find it rather irritating that AT&T doesn't have anything that helps with voice or data plans when travelling. .

Global Data Packages:

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/in...packages.jsp#7

But only in certain countries. Overage charges are also much lower, half a cent instead of 1.95 cents per KB transferred.

It's not perfect, but it can turn a $2000 bill into $300.

If you beg, they'll often apply the plan retroactively.

[Pete Paxton]

Get this: my monthly payment to AT&T is automatically taken out of my bank at a payment I preset. I called AT&T to let them know that I would make another payment to cover the other $125. I was genuinely polite but I let the rep know that I was a bit shocked to see my roaming charges were so high. She put me on hold for a moment and returned to let me know she credited me the $125. I didn't even ask for that. She agreed that roaming charges are too high and too confusing. Pretty cool huh? Good job AT&T!

[keirmeister]

I got hit with a $7300 bill from T-Mobile. What irritates me is that they didn't charge us for using data internationally the previous year, so I thought everything was cool. When we arrived this time, I got a text message saying, "Stick with T-Mobile while travelling abroad." I double-checked their website to make sure, and nothing came up, not even when I did a search using the terms "international data roaming".

Near the end of our trip, we get a call from T-Mobile stating the bill had reached $5,000 (thanks for the late notice). When we returned home, I spoke to a CSR and was given the ONE PAGE on their ENTIRE SITE where international data roaming rates are mentioned. And guess what? That ONE SENTENCE on that ONE PAGE was under the CRUISE SHIP section - easy to miss.

Obviously I'm fighting this. I checked AT&T, and their rates are right upfront. The obnoxious thing is, the CSR's at T-Mobile don't even know their own system. One lady told us international data rates are charged by the byte and BY THE MINUTE. Another fairly unfriendly manager lady actually said I was calling her a liar because she refused to believe their T-MobileWeb system allowed you to view web pages - even though their own website shows you how to set it up. When I told her we weren't charged for using data internationally the previous year, she said that was impossible. I told her we have the bills to prove it. She said we must be lucky then. WTF?!?

Oh well, we'll see where this goes.

[Darius Wey]

Fortunately, I've never been slapped with a huge roaming bill, but I'm aware of others that have. So, I avoid using my existing SIM to make and receive calls when abroad. I don't mind sending and receiving text messages, though, since my carrier (Optus) charges a small amount to send and nothing to receive.

Usually, I'll look around for prepaid SIMs if the country offers them. Some countries in Asia practically shove them into your face when you step off the plane, which is always nice. Of course, this is tricky if your phone is SIM- or network-locked, like the version of the iPhone sold in the US.

[baralong]

I spent 3 weeks in the USA last year, my roaming charges were about $1000, but most of that was calls. It only cost me au$0.50 to send an sms and nothing to receive, I emailed and browsed quite a bit in the first week (no other internet) but it was the call charges not the data that got me.

Particularly irritating was the $200 worth off calls to our travel agent for the various things they'd stuffed up.

[fone_fanatic]

I travel outside of the US frequently! and by frequently i have over 80,000 frequent flyer miles with KLM/Northwest!

Wherever i go, whether it be in the middle east, europe, or asia.. i always get a prepaid simcard. I always buy unlocked gsm phones (the tilt was actually the first phone i bought from a carrier!) trust me it saves u a lot more then signing on to some BS int'l plan that any US carrier has.

all i can say is do your research.. be smart/gsm and take advantage of other advanced networks prepaid/no contracts chips... and happy roaming!!!

[thejet]

Even if you NEVER use your phone, but you leave your phone on, you will be charged roaming fees.

I just got back from a Caribean cruise and because I left my phone on, my roaming charges were over $100. I was told by AT & T that because I left my phone on and the cell phone system had to track me. I know in my heart that the cruise line made part of that money because that NEVER warned us.

[ScottC]

Originally Posted by keirmeister

I got hit with a $7300 bill from T-Mobile. What irritates me is that they didn't charge us for using data internationally the previous year, so I thought everything was cool. When we arrived this time, I got a text message saying, "Stick with T-Mobile while travelling abroad." I double-checked their website to make sure, and nothing came up, not even when I did a search using the terms "international data roaming".

Near the end of our trip, we get a call from T-Mobile stating the bill had reached $5,000 (thanks for the late notice). When we returned home, I spoke to a CSR and was given the ONE PAGE on their ENTIRE SITE where international data roaming rates are mentioned. And guess what? That ONE SENTENCE on that ONE PAGE was under the CRUISE SHIP section - easy to miss.

I'm sorry, but that is just not true. I found the data roaming charges in 10 seconds on their site, and I know for a fact that it's in the same place it's been for the past years.

On their site I clicked "coverage", then "International Roaming", and it's all right there. With the data charges for every country. It's in virtually the exact same place ATT have it on their site.

It also shows up if you do a search for "international data" or "international roaming" or "international data roaming". The search results give a link to their worldclass roaming page where you can find a list of all countries. It is also NOT true that it's hidden away with cruise ship roaming. Cruise roaming just happens to be listed on the roaming page, but that doesn't mean it's "hidden".

Yes, CSR's are often poorly educated, but they are hardly to blame for your incident. It is very unfortunate that you were not charged last time, but it seems that you understand you should have been.

I'm sure they'll make you an offer, but if you racked up $7300 in data roaming charges at 1.5 cents per kb you must have used almost 500Mb of data, you had to have known that they wouldn't allow that much data for free?

I really wish the operators would educate their customers before leaving on a trip with their phone. I mean no disrespect towards you, as you did the same thing 1000's of people do, but 2 minutes of research would have yielded the correct answers, and saved you this headache.

[Non-Geek]

Originally Posted by fone_fanatic

Wherever i go, whether it be in the middle east, europe, or asia.. i always get a prepaid simcard.

I travel too much internationally - at one time, I have 700K miles in just a few years!!! I agree that unlocked GSM phone is a must, but the pre-paid SIM card is normally for voice only, esp in Europe. It is rare to get one for data! Correct me if I am wrong.