Data roaming charges while Cellular Data is off

[SomeScreenName]

One of the phones on my plan went to the US for a month. They turned Cellular Data off in Canada and didn't turn it back on until they got back. They were charged for 4 days of roaming for data events while there, and no one can explain why. One customer service rep said it was because WiFi assist was turned on, but apple says that WiFi assist won't switch to cellular if you are roaming. How do I know what really happened so it doesn't happen again for the other travel to the US we have planned?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day

You will need to remove the SIM. Airplane mode is not SIM (or eSIM) specific; it controls the radios across the entire device. An eSIM will work similarly to a SIM, though you cannot easily remove the eSIM.

Take care.

[Vantez]

I believe the small packets of data occurred while connecting to WiFi even though data roaming was turned off. 

[Vantez]

On my S23 I can turn my Bell Sim off and have only the esim active. 

[maneesh]

Hi,

My wife and I recently returned from a trip to multiple places in Asia and bough eSIMs for both phones. We turned off data roaming on the Bell SIM in both phones prior to leaving and didn't turn it on until we landed back in Canada. I have Android and she has iOS.

Out of 20 days away, each of us were charged for sporadic data usage on about half the days (total Roam Better charges > $400).

I am tech savvy and I am sure that I turned of data roaming on the Bell SIM for both devices properly in the settings. (If I hadn't, we should have been charged every day - but we were only charged on approximately half the days).

Customer service was not at all helpful. 

How can I prevent data roaming charges while abroad if turning off roaming through the OS does not work?

Thanks,

[SirHomeALot]

Twice now, when travelling, Bell has charged me a roaming data fee, even though I use a third-party eSIM for data when abroad. When I complained, they credited me the fees, which is great, but the fact remains: there should be a foolproof way to avoid ANY roaming charges.

Here's what I've been doing:
- buy a data eSIM and install it on my iPhone
- Before I take my phone out of airplane mode when I reach my destination, I switch cellular data to the eSIM (and disable cellular data switching) and I disable data roaming on the Bell SIM. I keep the Bell SIM as the primary line for voice and text.
- while abroad, I never PLACE any calls using my iPhone's phone function -- i only do voice via FaceTime, WhatsApp or other data-powered apps. I never SEND any text messages using SMS -- just iMessage and RCS (both only use Data).

If there's a better way to do this, so that I don't get dinged for roaming, please let me know how!!
Thank you!

[SirHomeALot]

---

@WelshTerrier wrote:

When this setting is turned OFF, you will no longer have access to data services (email, web browsing, etc.) over a mobile network and data roaming charges will not be incurred. This does not affect text or voice usage.

Data roaming charges will apply when you choose to manually check email or sync contacts and calendars over a mobile network.

---

How can both of these statements be true? Either it's possible to completely turn off mobile data on a cellular line, (in which case "manually" checking email or other apps would have no effect at all), or, it isn't possible to turn it off completely, in which case, what is the point of having a setting like this on the phone?

[SirHomeALot]

---

@WelshTerrier wrote:

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.

---

If this is true, Bell is not adhering to the CRTC's definition of roaming usage:
https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/trav.htm
"International roaming fees apply when you use your phone outside of Canada. This includes calls that you make and text messages that you send or receive. Fees can also apply to the data you use while roaming." Note that there is no reference to calls that you receive.

[AJW]

I signed up for the roaming better plan however I have just received my bill and I have been charged $16 every day I have been away in Portugal despite having my cellular data turned off. Can someone explain what’s happened here and how I can avoid this moving forward? My understanding with the roaming better plan was that you only get charged if you use your cellular data.    I have been only using wifi?    

[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 should have removed your SIM card prior to leaving Canada & going to Portugal. 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.

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.

How to reduce data charges on my smartphone when travelling out of the country

Roam Better FAQ | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[ripoffvictim]

I ABSOLUTELY know I had roaming turned off on a recent trip.  MyBell shows 5 "events" but no Usage Detail. The Loyalty people flat out refused to reverse the charges.  I believe the best way to stop this ripoff is to remove your SIM card before leaving the country.  Turning Roaming off, or putting phone in Airplane Mode appears to have no effect.  Beware.  I will be shopping at rogers and Telus, although I suspect this may be an industry-wide scam.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Roam Better is activated when your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada & you are enrolled in Roam Better.

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 & connecting to another international network. (You will still be able to use your device to manually connect to a Wi-Fi network & Bluetooth.)

 You can avoid all future roaming charges by unsubscribing from Roam Better. You will need to call BELL Mobility. Taking this feature off via online is not available.

There are two options available for you:

1. Ask the Bell Mobility representative to unsubscribe you completely or
2. Place a restriction on roaming that allows you to activate roaming on a need be basis.

To unsubscribe from Roam Better - with home data, please contact Bell Mobility at: 1-800-667-0123  or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device. It can be removed immediately while you are online with the service representative.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take care 

[SirHomeALot]

Thanks for the response, however, there's a fundamental disconnect here.
When abroad, Bell customers should be able to do two things simultaneously:
- Maintain the ability to receive (not place) calls and texts to their Bell phone number (critical ability for things like 2FA) without triggering roaming charges.
- Use cellular data via a third-party SIM in such a way that it doesn't trigger any data roaming activity on the Bell SIM.

Telling us to pull out our SIM would negate the first requirement (also, not possible with eSIMs). I would happily unsubscribe from Roam Better if I thought it would address these needs, but unless I'm missing something, it wouldn't.

[ripoffvictim]

New to the forum, so I don't know if this is redundant.  I replied to @WelshTerrier when I received the reply in email.  When Removing a SIM card you lose the ability to receive texts, which prevents 2FA from apps, and, more importantly, the ability to be notified in case of emergency.   I has Roaming off on this phone the whole time, I am positive.  The Bell Rep repeatedly used the wording "The System detected", without being able to tell me how much data was used.  

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for your reply. 

Sending & receiving texts with your SIM card installed and your device connected to a network that is outside of Canada all count towards Roaming usage. If you choose not to remove your SIM card & you leave your device powered on, you may trigger roaming charges. I can only offer up the following suggestions to avoid these charges:

1. Add Roam Better to your mobility plan as a Travel Add-on.
2. Add a Bell Travel Pass that covers your travel destination.
3. You can manually access an out of country Wi-Fi network to send & email messages. You will not be able receive SMS text messages. MFA code verification can also be accessed in many situations by setting up an alternative email address with Wi-Fi network access.

Coverage Map & Travel Options | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Being new to the forum, these guides will help you find your way around quickly: Community help - Bell

Take care.

[SirHomeALot]

Sending texts or making calls are considered roaming because they are actions taken by the subscriber. Receiving calls and texts aren't considered chargeable actions because they aren't initiated by the subscriber (or by the subscriber's device). Where are you getting your info?