iphone abroad and roaming charges

Impreza · 05-10-2009, 12:39

Hey all,

I’m taking my iPhone on holiday to the US next week and don’t want to get stung with roaming charges.

Just to confirm, should I just switch off data roaming within the general network settings? Anything else I need to switch off or change (eg 3G)?

Just want to make sure I’m only charged for the calls that I make/receive and the texts that I send.

Cheers for any help!

Charlie

iamtheoneneo · 05-10-2009, 13:27

yep just data roaming, but id also turn off location services too.
and whatever you do (speaking from a £400 bill experience) - do not turn it on!!! or even thing about going on the net no matter how tempted you may be!!! seriously o2 sting you like a bitch and make you wanna cry with their rediculous abroad charges.

Appleseed · 05-10-2009, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamtheoneneo

yep just data roaming, but id also turn off location services too.
and whatever you do (speaking from a £400 bill experience) - do not turn it on!!! or even thing about going on the net no matter how tempted you may be!!! seriously o2 sting you like a bitch and make you wanna cry with their rediculous abroad charges.

Why not just turn it off before leaving the UK, and then turn it on again when you get back? You'll definitely have no additional charges then - guaranteed.

Inkblot · 05-10-2009, 14:27

How about using airplane mode?

skreepers · 05-10-2009, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkblot

How about using airplane mode?

But doesn't using aeroplane mode stop them from sending/receiving texts and phone calls also?

Inkblot · 05-10-2009, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by skreepers

But doesn't using aeroplane mode stop them from sending/receiving texts and phone calls also?

Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they?

skreepers · 05-10-2009, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkblot

Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they?

If they turned airplane mode off for just the phone stuff, and they haven't turned off their location servies, 3G etc there is still a big risk things could be going on on the phone..like downloading e-mails etc. Which could still cost a BOMB when they get back.

Best thing to do I'd say as someone else has, turn off all the stuff (3G etc) in the UK and don't turn it back on until you're back in the UK.

dontpannic · 05-10-2009, 16:41

Turn off Data roaming - this disables ALL DATA except WiFi, so 3G won't even connect. Also turn off location services however this is less important as there is no charge for GPS!

sla_steve · 05-10-2009, 20:31

why are people saying to turn off location services? i plan to use this in paris to help me get about (paris offline maps app) and will be turning off data roaming. why would i incur charges using location services?

also to doubly ensure no data cost i had planeed to add a few charactes to the end of my access points before i go so they are no longer valid! Just in case!

Matt D · 06-10-2009, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impreza

Hey all,

I’m taking my iPhone on holiday to the US next week and don’t want to get stung with roaming charges.

Just to confirm, should I just switch off data roaming within the general network settings? Anything else I need to switch off or change (eg 3G)?

Just want to make sure I’m only charged for the calls that I make/receive and the texts that I send.

Cheers for any help!

Charlie

Just make sure that "Data Roaming" is off. That's all you need to do. I spent a couple of weeks travelling around the Western US in March/April, and all I did to prevent data roaming charges on my iPhone was make sure that "Data Roaming" was disabled (which, IIRC, is actually the default option anyway).

If "Data Roaming" is off, then it simply cannot use any roaming data, not via GPRS, not via EDGE, not via 3G. The only way it will connect for data is WiFi.

But, you should make sure that you either divert *all* calls to voicemail, or set up O2 Call Alert, as if you leave it as normal you will get charged if anyone phones you & leaves a voicemail for you while you are roaming.

http://www.o2international.co.uk/faq/Default.aspx

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2

To divert all calls to Voicemail 901. Either use the menu on your mobile or key *21*901# and send. All your calls will then be answered by Voicemail 901, to cancel this service key ##21# send.

http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalh...email901abroad

http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalh...oi/o2callalert

To use O2 Call Alert (you get a free SMS with details of each missed call) - 1710 to turn it on in place of voicemail, 1710 to turn it off again when you get back home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkblot

Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they?

You do not get charged for incoming texts, only incoming calls. And only if you answer the call (or it goes to voicemail).

Quote:

Originally Posted by skreepers

If they turned airplane mode off for just the phone stuff, and they haven't turned off their location servies, 3G etc there is still a big risk things could be going on on the phone..like downloading e-mails etc. Which could still cost a BOMB when they get back.

Best thing to do I'd say as someone else has, turn off all the stuff (3G etc) in the UK and don't turn it back on until you're back in the UK.

No need. All you need to do is disable "Data Roaming".

If "Data Roaming" is disabled, no roaming data can be used at all. That's the whole point of it. The only way the phone can then connect for data use is via WiFi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontpannic

Turn off Data roaming - this disables ALL DATA except WiFi, so 3G won't even connect. Also turn off location services however this is less important as there is no charge for GPS!

If "Data Roaming" is off, I don't see why there's any need to turn off "Location Services" too. With Data Roaming disabled, it cannot use any data for the assistance server or for downloading maps unless WiFi is enabled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sla_steve

why are people saying to turn off location services? i plan to use this in paris to help me get about (paris offline maps app) and will be turning off data roaming. why would i incur charges using location services?

also to doubly ensure no data cost i had planeed to add a few charactes to the end of my access points before i go so they are no longer valid! Just in case!

The iPhone 3G/3GS use Assisted GPS, which gives a faster lock-on time than plain GPS due to connecting to an assistance server.

If "Data Roaming" is off, the only way the iPhone can then connect to an assistance server would be via a WiFi connection, as all other data is disabled.

I'm not 100% sure if if can still get a GPS fix without being able to contact an assistance server - it may just take longer, it may not work at all. Depends on the iPhone's version of A-GPS I think, whether it can work standalone or whether it needs that initial fix from an assistance server.

croyde · 06-10-2009, 07:44

Seems crazy that we have the technology but can't use it because of the massive data roaming charges.

Why should it cost so much more?

Bloody rip off.

simon69c · 06-10-2009, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

If "Data Roaming" is off, the only way the iPhone can then connect to an assistance server would be via a WiFi connection, as all other data is disabled.

I'm not 100% sure if if can still get a GPS fix without being able to contact an assistance server - it may just take longer, it may not work at all. Depends on the iPhone's version of A-GPS I think, whether it can work standalone or whether it needs that initial fix from an assistance server.

It will get a fix without the assistance server - it will just take longer to get it. Turn-by-turn apps will work ok when abroad as long as they have inclusive maps.

Impreza · 06-10-2009, 12:16

Thanks for all the replies very helpful!

Reference voicemail and the charges, I was just going to switch it off before I went:

Turn voicemail on/off: dial 1750/1760

Cheers again!

Charlie

andybno1 · 06-10-2009, 12:34

save yourself some money jailbreak and unlock it and shove a t-mobile sim in, I found this the cheapest method when I was going to america

05-10-2009, 12:39	#1
Impreza Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 193	iphone abroad and roaming charges Hey all, I’m taking my iPhone on holiday to the US next week and don’t want to get stung with roaming charges. Just to confirm, should I just switch off data roaming within the general network settings? Anything else I need to switch off or change (eg 3G)? Just want to make sure I’m only charged for the calls that I make/receive and the texts that I send. Cheers for any help! Charlie

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05-10-2009, 13:27	#2
iamtheoneneo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oxford Posts: 221	yep just data roaming, but id also turn off location services too. and whatever you do (speaking from a £400 bill experience) - do not turn it on!!! or even thing about going on the net no matter how tempted you may be!!! seriously o2 sting you like a bitch and make you wanna cry with their rediculous abroad charges.

05-10-2009, 13:58	#3
Appleseed Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3,673	Quote: Originally Posted by iamtheoneneo yep just data roaming, but id also turn off location services too. and whatever you do (speaking from a £400 bill experience) - do not turn it on!!! or even thing about going on the net no matter how tempted you may be!!! seriously o2 sting you like a bitch and make you wanna cry with their rediculous abroad charges. Why not just turn it off before leaving the UK, and then turn it on again when you get back? You'll definitely have no additional charges then - guaranteed.

05-10-2009, 14:27	#4
Inkblot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West London Posts: 24,316	How about using airplane mode?

05-10-2009, 16:12	#5
skreepers Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 1,336	Quote: Originally Posted by Inkblot How about using airplane mode? But doesn't using aeroplane mode stop them from sending/receiving texts and phone calls also?

05-10-2009, 16:29	#6
Inkblot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West London Posts: 24,316	Quote: Originally Posted by skreepers But doesn't using aeroplane mode stop them from sending/receiving texts and phone calls also? Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they?

05-10-2009, 16:37	#7
skreepers Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 1,336	Quote: Originally Posted by Inkblot Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they? If they turned airplane mode off for just the phone stuff, and they haven't turned off their location servies, 3G etc there is still a big risk things could be going on on the phone..like downloading e-mails etc. Which could still cost a BOMB when they get back. Best thing to do I'd say as someone else has, turn off all the stuff (3G etc) in the UK and don't turn it back on until you're back in the UK.

05-10-2009, 16:41	#8
dontpannic Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 2,344	Turn off Data roaming - this disables ALL DATA except WiFi, so 3G won't even connect. Also turn off location services however this is less important as there is no charge for GPS!

05-10-2009, 20:31	#9
sla_steve Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Belfast, N.Ireland Posts: 1,457	why are people saying to turn off location services? i plan to use this in paris to help me get about (paris offline maps app) and will be turning off data roaming. why would i incur charges using location services? also to doubly ensure no data cost i had planeed to add a few charactes to the end of my access points before i go so they are no longer valid! Just in case!

06-10-2009, 00:19	#10
Matt D Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 13,064	Quote: Originally Posted by Impreza Hey all, I’m taking my iPhone on holiday to the US next week and don’t want to get stung with roaming charges. Just to confirm, should I just switch off data roaming within the general network settings? Anything else I need to switch off or change (eg 3G)? Just want to make sure I’m only charged for the calls that I make/receive and the texts that I send. Cheers for any help! Charlie Just make sure that "Data Roaming" is off. That's all you need to do. I spent a couple of weeks travelling around the Western US in March/April, and all I did to prevent data roaming charges on my iPhone was make sure that "Data Roaming" was disabled (which, IIRC, is actually the default option anyway). If "Data Roaming" is off, then it simply cannot use any roaming data, not via GPRS, not via EDGE, not via 3G. The only way it will connect for data is WiFi. But, you should make sure that you either divert all calls to voicemail, or set up O2 Call Alert, as if you leave it as normal you will get charged if anyone phones you & leaves a voicemail for you while you are roaming. http://www.o2international.co.uk/faq/Default.aspx Quote: Originally Posted by O2 To divert all calls to Voicemail 901. Either use the menu on your mobile or key 21901# and send. All your calls will then be answered by Voicemail 901, to cancel this service key ##21# send. http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalh...email901abroad http://www.o2.co.uk/support/generalh...oi/o2callalert To use O2 Call Alert (you get a free SMS with details of each missed call) - 1710 to turn it on in place of voicemail, 1710 to turn it off again when you get back home. Quote: Originally Posted by Inkblot Well, yeah... they could turn airplane mode off when they wanted to use the iPhone as a phone, but then they'd incur charges for incoming calls and texts, wouldn't they? You do not get charged for incoming texts, only incoming calls. And only if you answer the call (or it goes to voicemail). Quote: Originally Posted by skreepers If they turned airplane mode off for just the phone stuff, and they haven't turned off their location servies, 3G etc there is still a big risk things could be going on on the phone..like downloading e-mails etc. Which could still cost a BOMB when they get back. Best thing to do I'd say as someone else has, turn off all the stuff (3G etc) in the UK and don't turn it back on until you're back in the UK. No need. All you need to do is disable "Data Roaming". If "Data Roaming" is disabled, no roaming data can be used at all. That's the whole point of it. The only way the phone can then connect for data use is via WiFi. Quote: Originally Posted by dontpannic Turn off Data roaming - this disables ALL DATA except WiFi, so 3G won't even connect. Also turn off location services however this is less important as there is no charge for GPS! If "Data Roaming" is off, I don't see why there's any need to turn off "Location Services" too. With Data Roaming disabled, it cannot use any data for the assistance server or for downloading maps unless WiFi is enabled. Quote: Originally Posted by sla_steve why are people saying to turn off location services? i plan to use this in paris to help me get about (paris offline maps app) and will be turning off data roaming. why would i incur charges using location services? also to doubly ensure no data cost i had planeed to add a few charactes to the end of my access points before i go so they are no longer valid! Just in case! The iPhone 3G/3GS use Assisted GPS, which gives a faster lock-on time than plain GPS due to connecting to an assistance server. If "Data Roaming" is off, the only way the iPhone can then connect to an assistance server would be via a WiFi connection, as all other data is disabled. I'm not 100% sure if if can still get a GPS fix without being able to contact an assistance server - it may just take longer, it may not work at all. Depends on the iPhone's version of A-GPS I think, whether it can work standalone or whether it needs that initial fix from an assistance server.

06-10-2009, 07:44	#11
croyde Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 237	Seems crazy that we have the technology but can't use it because of the massive data roaming charges. Why should it cost so much more? Bloody rip off.

06-10-2009, 09:22	#12
simon69c Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,415	Quote: Originally Posted by Matt D If "Data Roaming" is off, the only way the iPhone can then connect to an assistance server would be via a WiFi connection, as all other data is disabled. I'm not 100% sure if if can still get a GPS fix without being able to contact an assistance server - it may just take longer, it may not work at all. Depends on the iPhone's version of A-GPS I think, whether it can work standalone or whether it needs that initial fix from an assistance server. It will get a fix without the assistance server - it will just take longer to get it. Turn-by-turn apps will work ok when abroad as long as they have inclusive maps.

06-10-2009, 12:16	#13
Impreza Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 193	Thanks for all the replies very helpful! Reference voicemail and the charges, I was just going to switch it off before I went: Turn voicemail on/off: dial 1750/1760 Cheers again! Charlie

06-10-2009, 12:34	#14
andybno1 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 6,065	save yourself some money jailbreak and unlock it and shove a t-mobile sim in, I found this the cheapest method when I was going to america

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iphone abroad and roaming charges