At what point is Roam Better activated?

[jzwanzig]

When travelling in France, for example, with Roam Better, I assume that if my phone is on and in airplane mode, I'm not charged, can someone confirm? What about if I have Roaming data services turned off on the phone, am I still charged? I would like combination of settings such that I can use the phone on WiFi but not be charged the $15/day for Roam Better (unless I have to make a call or something).

thanks!

[BellAntgio]

Hey there @oharaG9 , 

Welcome to the community and thanks for your post. 

We invite you to review the green check marked helpful replies to learn more about Roam Better and when it will be triggered. 

Let the community know if you have more questions.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.
While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, and using data (including Instagram, Whatsapp, or TikTok, etc., and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as roaming usage.

Roaming is only activated once your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada. Therefore, if you remove your SIM card prior to arriving in the country and connecting to their network, roaming will not be activated.

1. Turn your device Airplane mode to on.
2. Power your device off & remove your SIM.
3. Power your device on.

Unbeknown to you, keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in data usage & roaming charges. Powering your device on & activating an eSim or dual SIM for travel SIM outside of Canada will also trigger data usage & roaming charges. To avoid a roaming charge, remove your Bell SIM beforehand.

If your device is in Airplane mode, you can also connect to a Wi-Fi network & Bluetooth manually. You need to remove your SIM card prior to leaving Canada. In the event there is any mobile network connection active on the phone, once the SIM card is inserted and its able to connect, Roam Better is initiated.

If you do not want to be billed for any future roaming services, you can remove the feature or restrict it on your account. This can be done by calling Bell Mobility at: 1 800 667-0123 or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[kmorin]

My daughter just got charges 8 x $16 for roam better, even though she had data turned off on the cellular setting of the iphone.  I don't accept the explanation that the SVP charge is acceptable because some apps are refreshing in the background.  If data is turned off, apps can try to refresh, but we made the decision to turn it off, so apps should fail and I should not get a roaming charge.   That makes no sense.

[kmorin]

Can a network connection happen if the "Cellular Data" is off the whole time?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Roaming is only activated once your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada. Therefore, if you remove your SIM card prior to arriving in the country and connecting to their network, roaming will not be activated. If your device is in Airplane mode, you can also connect to a Wi-Fi network & Bluetooth manually.

You daughter should have removed her SIM card prior to leaving Canada. In the event there is any mobile network connection active on the phone, once the SIM card is inserted and it's able to connect, Roam Better is initiated.

While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, and using data (including Instagram, Whatsapp, or TikTok, etc., and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as Roaming usage and / or Pay Per Use usage rates.

Unbeknown to you, keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in data usage & roaming charges.

Powering your device on & activating an eSim or dual SIM for travel SIM outside of Canada will also trigger data usage & roaming charges. To avoid a roaming charge, remove your Bell SIM beforehand.

1. Turn your device Airplane mode to on.
2. Power your device off & remove your SIM.
3. Power your device on.

If you do not wish to be billed for any future roaming services, you can remove the feature or restrict it on your account. If you'd still like to unsubscribe from Roam Better - with home data, please call BELL Mobility. This can be completed immediately by the Customer Service representative. Taking this feature off via online is not available.

To contact Bell Mobility call: 1-800-667-0123  or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device. It can be removed immediately while you are online with them.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Yes. Thank you for your question. If you have any apps opened, it will continue to drain the data.

Turning off cellular data will not always stop roaming charges. While it prevents your phone from using mobile data when outside your network, it doesn't stop other features from potentially incurring charges. Even with cellular data off, features like voicemail, manually checking email, or syncing contacts, calendars, etc.  can still trigger roaming fees.

Take care.

[AB910]

If we are using an e-sim, and if we are not planning to use Bell number, how avoid such charges if we are traveling outside of Canada? 

[Grinchmaster]

My wife and I are enrolled in Roam Better and are travelling to the US till tomorrow - are the 13 Dollars a day automatically added to our monthly plan once we use it across the border or do we have to activate anything manually?

Thanks 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Yes, if Roam Better is activated and your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada & you are enrolled in Roam Better, then there is nothing more for you to do. The daily roaming rate of $13.00/day will be automatically applied to your account.

While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, and using data (including Instagram, Whatsapp, or TikTok, etc., and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as Roaming usage and / or Pay Per Use usage rates.

Unbeknown to you, keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in data usage & roaming charges.

If you do not wish to use Roam Better, simply remove your SIM card prior to leaving Canada & arriving in the USA and connecting to their network.

Roam Better FAQ | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Enjoy your trip.

Take care.