Data roaming, do I need to activate it if I am traveling to another country?

If you don’t usually travel abroad, you probably have a few questions on your mind. One of the most common is about Mobile coverage and data roaming. You probably already know that most European countries are required to observe roaming, so browsing and calling will not incur additional costs, but is this always the case? Do I need to activate something? Why am I left without insurance when I land in another country?

Today we tell you what is data roamingwhat is it for, why is it very important in your travels and When to activate it to improve coverageThis feature is available on all iOS and Android smartphones, but it is always disabled by default to avoid confusion or additional costs.

And that’s it, though Europe is a comfort zone for mobile communications and callseverything changes when you cross its borders. So if you are traveling to another continent, pay close attention to our recommendations, as roaming benefits data They can be a recipe for pain for your operator.

4 Keys to Data Roaming

What is data roaming? This is not a function, but rather a setting that allows connect to a different network than the one broadcast by your operatorWhen activated, it tells your mobile phone that it can connect to other networks and make coverage not always dependent on the main network.

If your SIM card is, for example, Vodafone, You will not be able to connect to another company without data roaming permission.This setting simply tells your mobile phone, “If you want, you can try other networks for coverage.”

Why data roaming is important. Knowing what it is for, it is easy to understand that it is absolutely necessary for traveling. When you visit a foreign country and want to connect to its network, if you do not have roaming activated, your mobile phone will not have permission to establish coverage.

And it doesn’t matter, for example, that you have Vodafone and that this operator also has coverage in France. Networks are different in different countries and your SIM card will only be able to access it if you give it permission by activating data roaming. In fact, you’ll likely choose a different carrier.

When to activate data roaming. The best thing you can do is have it. always activated. This adjustment will not incur any additional costs while you are in the European Union and may help you improve your insurance coverage. Since roaming exists, It doesn’t matter which network your mobile phone is connected to to get the best signal.Agreements between companies will provide you with a transparent and free experience.

Roaming outside Europe. You just have to be careful with this setting when you are leaving European territory. The benefits of roaming end at its borders, so the cost of connecting to a network in China, for example, can be a problem. There are no agreements with your company in this country, so if you allow your mobile phone to connect to a Chinese operator, it will bill your provider for all your browsing. who will charge you for it later?

Your operator will always notify you when you arrive in a country without roaming, but this is better. Turn off roaming before your flight to avoid any fears.

eSIM, a solution for travel outside Europe

While data roaming is a very useful tool, not always relevant and profitableFor example, when traveling outside the European Union, activation does not make sense, since the cost of connection is usually offensive and incomprehensible. For all these destinations such as the USA, Thailand, Japan, China or Latin America, It is better to choose local SIM cards or rent eSIM..

• Local SIM card. Once you arrive at your destination, you will need to find a specific store, browse the options, and buy a tariff for the duration of your stay there. This is usually a laborious process if you don’t speak the language well, and you’ll spend a lot of time. On the other hand, it’s much cheaper than activating data roaming and forcing your operator to charge you any fees.
• eSIM. This is the most convenient option for travel to countries outside the European Union. Their rates are usually low, everything is decided before leaving the country of origin, and you can Leave the eSIM set to arrive and cover from minute one. They have only one drawback: your smartphone must be compatible with this type of technology.

Where to buy eSIMs? At the moment, Holafly is the number one service in terms of availability and price. The catalog of countries is huge, it usually offers unlimited plans from 6 euros, and activation is very simple.