Roaming Cost question

[alam]

hi everyone, i am about to go to the USA and i have a 20gb data plan call text Canada free, and my question is when i go to america, is there a way I can use my data without making calls and all, just data when i roam around at no cost.

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Yes, you will be charged for Roaming services even though your data is turn off. If you are connected to any cellular network, Roaming is activated. If you wish to avoid any further Roaming charges, power your device completely off and / or leave your phone in Airplane mode AT ALL TIMES.

If you are travelling outside of Canada, you may not be using Roaming, however your device can still access data unknowingly to you. If you do not completely power your device off and / or turn off roaming & data, your device can be doing updates in the background, etc.

If you turned off airplane mode and sent or received any text messages, you were accessing data. When airplane mode is turned off, your apps and device can be accessing data as well behind the scenes. You will still be able to connect to a Wi-Fi  network & use Bluetooth. You would just need to turn them on manually.

While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, and using data (including Instagram, Whatsapp, or TikTok, and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as roaming usage. Keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in roaming charges.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[Otis from Mars]

You also get charged for any calls including spam calls even if you don't answer or pick up.  on some days while in the states, I didn't make any calls or answered calls, but I was charged 13.00 for spam calls even if it was the only call of the day and didn't answer.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Roam Better is a feature on your Bell Mobility Plan that is only activated once your SIM card connects to a network outside of Canada. Therefore if you remove your Bell Mobility SIM card prior to arriving in the country and plan to connect to their network, Roam Better will not be activated.

If you'd like to unsubscribe from Roam Better - with home data, please call 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.

If you plan on connecting to the local network that you are travelling to, make sure your Bell SIM card is not in the device. This will prevent any roaming charges.

If you do not plan on connecting to the local network, then there is no need to remove your Bell Mobility SIM card. In this case, you only need to turn  Cellular Data & Roaming off; & turn  Airplane mode on to avoid any Roaming charges.

If you turned off airplane mode and sent or received any text messages, received any calls, etc. you were accessing data. Unbeknown to you, when airplane mode is turned off, your apps and device can be accessing data as well behind the scenes.

You will still be able to connect to a Wi-Fi  network & use Bluetooth. You would just need to turn them on manually.

If you are travelling outside of Canada, you may not be using Roaming, however your device can access data unknowingly to you. If you do not completely power your device off and / or turn off roaming & data, your device can be doing updates, etc.

Take care.

[RCToronto]

Hi,
I spoke to someone at Bell today and they said I would get charged for receiving a text if I'm out of the country.  I 100% of the time keep my data roaming off, but usually don't keep my phone in airplane mood in case I receive an important call when I'm away.  I'm aware I will pay roaming if I answer a phone call, check a voicemail, or send a text, but I was previously told (and it was stated in this forum) that receiving a regular text wouldn't count.  Please clarify.
Thanks!
Also, just an FYI that someone while keeping your data roaming always off AND using an alternate esim for data, Bell can find a way to charge you for data roaming from your mobile browser. 

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

I cannot comment on what you have been told or what you have read. I can only offer up the following information for you to consider & decide upon for yourself.

"International roaming fees apply when you use your phone outside of Canada. This includes calls that you make and text messages that you send. Fees can also apply to the data you use while roaming. For example, if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network and you want to browse the Internet, you can use your data, but international roaming fees will likely apply."

Please check out this CRTC International Roaming website for additional info:  International roaming fees | CRTC

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.

If you want to avoid any & all charges while travelling outside of Canada, you can choose to:

1. Turn off your data & roaming in settings on your device. Turn on Airplane mode.
2. Power your device completely off.
3. As an alternative, you can also choose to remove your Bell SIM before leaving Canada instead or powering your device completely off. Just do not power your device on before removing your Bell SIM. If you do so, this will result in a roaming charge.

Airplane mode setting when turned on, will eliminate all potential roaming charges when travelling. You won't be able to send or receive text messages or phone calls, or use data services, but you can connect to a Wi-Fi network to check your email or browse the internet. This by far is the safest method of avoiding all roaming charges. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can also be enabled separately while the device is in Airplane mode.

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.

[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 Europe. 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.

Roam Better FAQ | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[Jag_D]

Hi

My question is regarding my trip outside of canada. While I will be outside of canada, do I need to do something to avoid roaming or any extra charges.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

The surest method to avoid any roaming charges when you travel is to remove your SIM card. 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.

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.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[dks]

Thank you for your question. If you do not wish to incur roaming charges, put your phone in airplane mode and shut off all roaming and data. If you add Roam Better to your account, you will pay those fees. You can read more information here. 

[Wildlife]

Going to the US for 10 days. Just use phone as needed or is there a special plan I can get?

[Ramyaa]

I am travelling to Italy. And I want to have text messages when I travel and during my vacation. 
what should I do

[TanyaG]

Looking for pricing for Europe 

from Europe to others in Europe and back in canada for text and talk and data

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Bell has any number of travel plans available. You need to decide on what plan best meets your travel needs.

How long is you trip? Where are you going? What package best meets your needs at the most reasonable of costs? II you are going for a week or longer, your best value is: The Bell Global 365-day Travel Pass (if eligible) or The Bell Europe 14-Day Travel Pass

To add a Bell Mobility travel package, you can log in to MyBell on the website or app and select your mobility service, then navigate to "Add or remove features" or "Buy travel add-ons" to purchase a plan like Roam Better.

Please check out the following website for further information.

Coverage Map & Travel Options | Bell Mobility | Bell Canada

FYI Only!

• The Bell Europe 14-Day Travel Pass costs $70.00 CAD and covers 14 days of usage for data, calls, and texts in eligible European destinations, using data from your current mobility plan.
• The Bell Global 365-day Travel Pass is a one-time charge and can be used in all eligible countries. You are not charged an additional fee for visiting other eligible countries during the 365-day. It is a prepaid, non-refundable pass that provides unlimited talk and text to Canada and within your destination, plus data usage for 365 days in countries not covered by the Roam Better daily plan. It activates immediately upon purchase and is a cost-effective way to manage roaming charges for extended travel in less common international destinations. The only restriction or rule so to speak would be for countries that roaming is not supported, or while on a flight or a cruise ship.  In these cases, either a Global 365 or a Roam Better user would both be subject to pay-per-use rates.

For further assistance, please call Bell Mobility at: 1 800 667-0123 or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device. A service representative will answer any further questions you might have.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.