topic Re: Roaming in USA in Mobile Services

Roaming in USA

Philm4 — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:19:04 GMT

Hi - travelling to New York in 2 days and checking whether to buy the Roam Abroad Pass before I go. Has anyone used it (forum brought up some issues people had with accessing networks out there?) and I'm assuming whatever mins/tests/data I just used as normal with no extra charges? Many thanks.

Re: Roaming in USA

XRaySpeX — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:21:57 GMT

@Philm4 : As it is not in EU, if you are on contract, you may use your usual UK allowances there with up to 50 GB data per billing month if you have more, when you buy for £10 / month or have already as a Smart Benefit the Roam Abroad Pass or you have an EE Max Plan. Otherwise you will need to pay the charges or buy roaming add-ons as set out in https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roaming-costs/countries/usa.

If you are on contract, remember to text ROAMING to 150 before you leave UK to ensure roaming is enabled on your account.

Re: Roaming in USA

Philm4 — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:25:51 GMT

I don't already have roaming set up, but am on contract. Do I need to buy the Roaming pass? Won't use anywhere near 50GB, hopefully won't use the phone at all, but want to be covered just in case.

So, text 150 to buy the Roaming Pass and then text again when I get home to avoid the monthly cost next month?

Re: Roaming in USA

bristolian — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:32:40 GMT

A large majority of the posts on this forum with roaming problems relate to users not activating the roaming facility before leaving the UK - it is this which allows your phone to connect to foreign networks.

Billing add-ons do not enable the facility by default, and many posts boil down to users having added a roaming pass or billing bundle, but not activating roaming.

Without roaming being active, your phone will not connect to local networks in foreign countries - which causes a catch-22 situation when you find out the hard way.

Re: Roaming in USA

XRaySpeX — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:34:13 GMT

It's for you to work out whether it's economic.

The Roam Abroad Pass is charged pro-rata from the day you order it (text ROAMING PASS to 150) to the day you cancel it (text STOP ROAMING PASS to 150). You do start by paying up to the next bill date. Then in the billing month you cancel it you will get a rebate for the days after you cancel.