International Roaming

[wireless-user]

On my last international trip, having read all the warnings about iPhones and sky high data charges, I bought an AT&T 20MB data plan.  Using wireless where available and limiting my usage still resulted in my blowing by the 20MB and having to pay the "expensive" per MB roaming fees.

On my most recent trip to the same country I bought a pre-pay SIM card in-country ($20 USD) and added their 100MB data plan for $7.50 USD,  yes   seven dollars and fifty cents (US) for 100MB.  In a 2 week period I used 90MB, and saved a ton of money over AT&T's "plan".

Of course, your phone needs to be capable of using a different SIM..

Sorry AT&T,  no more  being ripped off by your plans.   And for you AT&T apologisists,  the company that sells the Sim and data plan is AT&T's partner in that country, so it seems AT&T is behind the high fees,  not the host country,  at least in this example. 

Without this kind of in-country pre-pay plan I would have left the iPhone home...

[stufried]

Prepaids are definitely the way to go where they are available,* but it is not always thatt easy.  First, many people have multiple couuntry trips. Prepaids only make sense when a person is either in the country a few days or really a talkaholic.  Second, some countries are a pain to buy prepaids in.  Try buying one in Japan or India.  They aren't that easy.  Third,many companies shoot theirselves in the foot by wanting good billing records.  Better a $600 roaming bill with a good invoice than a $20 prepaid bill where the person made a personal call in that $20.  It make no sense, but it is reality at some companies.  Fourth, it reqires more work to have a constant number when jumping between prepaid SIMs.   

*I have a prepaid SIM for Dubai; a contract SIM for the UK (Orange OVP); and, Rogers (one of my cousin's family plan which I trade for one of my US family plan SIMs).  

[wireless-user]

There is no "one size fits all"...

You need to do a little homework, as you've done, and buy SIMs where it makes sense....

Cheers....

[redpoint73 ACE - Wizard]

You can't compare the cost of a local carrier versus the cost of AT&T licensing roaming service from foreign carriers.  Licensing the service from foreign providers is expensive.  Look at international rates at other US carriers, and you will find the prices very similar (if they even provide service).

[stufried]

The mark up on roaming is admittedly high.  The EU capped roaming rates and the sky didn't fall.  In the United States, it would be called communistic and "big government" to try. 

[wireless-user]

Of course I can compare the costs and can easily see the differential between alternatives.  The local carrier saved me significant $$$$$......

I'll always use the plan that's financially better for me..... 

[jerrykaufman]

Hi

Did you manage to do this on a iPhone? If so how did you unlock it/

Thanks

[stufried]

iPhone unlocking isn't officially supported and this is probably not the best forum to discuss it.  I'd go to a place like Howard Forums to discuss the pros and cons about it. 

[jonhosseini]

recently came back from botswana. in botswana the company that att picks up for roaming charges 12cents per MB for data. during the 4 weeks i was there i used a total of only 20MB of data... at local rates that would add up to $2.40 charge. ATT charged me $20 per MB!!!  they slide you into it with a statement 'warning" that you may be charged as much as $20 per MB if roaming internationally in an area without contract with ATT. When you hear that you expect that right... that must apply to extremely underserved areas... with very limited wireless availability or competition... i reviewed the local rates and expected that surely a reasonable upcharge will be made...  the upcharge was 16700%  !!!! if this is not gouging i do not know what is... i'd be glad to pay what ATT is billed plus a reasonable upcharge... i'd even go so far as to say i'd be willing to take what ATT was ACTUALLY charged and double it 200% upcharge... but 16,700%  no ways... I've been loyal to ATT through various corporate jobs..they have raked in litterally $10s of thousands from the bills i have generated over the years... this gouging is  the end of the road for me and ATT...unless ATT can show some transparency, and loyalty, show me what they are actually billed and take my challenge to pay 200% upcharge or the $20 per MB they charged me whatever is lower....