If you’ve ever returned from a business trip abroad only to find a roaming bill that looks like your monthly rent, you’re not alone. Roaming charges have long been a pain point for frequent travelers, especially those who need to stay connected for work. But here’s the good news: we’re no longer stuck with the old-school model of “use now, regret later.” Whether you’re a solo traveler hopping between conferences or a company managing a team that’s always on the move, modern roaming solutions are smarter, more flexible, and way more budget-friendly than they used to be.

Often, allegations have surfaced regarding several big mobile carriers. These complaints were related to international roaming services, which caught many by surprise.

Thousands of clients have received messages or calls telling them that, because they have been abusing international roaming on their plans, these carriers were going to ban them from continuing to get cellular service with the aforementioned companies.

Since quite a few of the people encountering that situation specifically sought out mobile service plans that would be travel-friendly and had previously been assured that roaming shouldn’t really be an issue, there’s been some confusion and distress caused by this.

How did the companies define what “excessive roaming” was? roaming solutions

In short, if one were to use more than 50% of their voice or data off-network for an extended period of time, that would qualify for a cancellation of that user’s cellular service.

Many have suspected that it had been a poorly worded and recent addition to the regulations, but believe it or not, this exact thing has appeared in several mobile carrier services contracts since 2008–2010, and no one seems to have brought it up before.

With all that being said, how can these cases actually benefit the market and the consumer?

Well, when people start noticing these blatant cases of neglect or total compliance with the things that are making the client’s lives more inconvenient, they also search for alternatives.

There is a big market for alternative, smaller cell phone carrier services that are going to suit any particular needs of the individual, but most people tend to stick to what is most familiar and get too comfortable to notice when those service providers stop making financial and practical sense.

When it comes to travel-friendly carriers that also accommodate businesses operating cross-country, Alertify is the leading global mobile service provider that can provide a lot of thought and effort to making roaming as straightforward and affordable as possible.

So, let’s break down the best options out there—and how you can avoid unnecessary costs while staying online and in control.

1. eSIMs: The MVP of Travel Connectivity

Let’s start with what’s arguably the biggest game-changer in roaming: eSIMs.

If you’ve got a relatively recent smartphone (think iPhone XS or newer, Google Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up), chances are it supports eSIM. This tiny virtual SIM allows you to connect to mobile networks around the world without swapping out physical cards. You just scan a QR code, and boom—you’re online.

For business travelers, the benefits are huge:

• No physical SIM swap – No fiddling with paperclips or tiny trays in taxis or airports.
• Instant activation – Many eSIM providers offer immediate activation, so you’re covered even if you forgot to plan ahead.
• Multi-country coverage – Ideal for multi-stop trips. Some eSIM plans work across dozens of countries.
• Separate work and personal lines – You can run both on the same phone, which is super handy if you want to keep boundaries.

For teams, eSIMs also make it easier to manage travel budgets. You can buy data packages upfront or assign limits, avoiding those surprise bills.

Some leading eSIM providers include BNESIM, Nomad, GigSky, Airhub, and Ubigi (find out more here). They offer business-friendly packages that scale with your needs—and some even let you buy bulk credits or centralized accounts for managing multiple travelers.

2. Roaming SIM Cards: Still Going Strong

Despite the eSIM hype, physical SIM cards aren’t obsolete—yet.

Many companies still rely on international SIM cards because they work in any unlocked phone, including older models and feature phones. Providers like Three, KnowRoaming, and BNESIM offer global SIMs with coverage in 100+ countries.

Advantages?

• Works in dual-SIM phones alongside your home SIM
• Can be recharged online
• Often supports voice + data, which is useful for travelers who still make calls

If your team includes people with a variety of devices—or if you’re traveling somewhere with spotty eSIM support—an international SIM can still be a reliable option.

3. Mobile Hotspots & Travel Routers

For people traveling with laptops, tablets, or multiple devices, a personal hotspot (sometimes called a MiFi or pocket Wi-Fi) might be the best solution.

These portable routers let you connect multiple devices to a single local data connection. You insert a SIM (or use an eSIM, depending on the model), and everyone nearby can hop on the same network.

Great for:

• Teams working remotely from hotels, cafés, or coworking spaces
• Travelers needing stable connections for Zoom meetings or file uploads
• Avoiding sketchy public Wi-Fi

Some solid devices in this space include GlocalMe, NETGEAR Nighthawk, and TP-Link’s travel routers. Many of these support global SIMs or offer their own data plans.

4. Local SIM Cards: Cheapest, but Not Always Convenient

There’s no denying it—if you want the absolute cheapest rates, buying a local SIM card once you land is often the way to go. You’ll get local network quality and usually much more data for less money.

But the tradeoffs?

• Time-consuming setup (especially if there are language barriers)
• You need to swap your main SIM
• May not include international calling or roaming

If you’re visiting one country for a week or more, it can be worth it. But if you’re bouncing between cities every few days, the hassle adds up.

5. Roaming Packages from Home Operators

Sometimes, your home mobile provider actually has a decent roaming deal—sometimes. Many now offer daily roaming passes, where you pay a flat rate per day to use your regular plan abroad.

This can work well for short trips, especially if you’re going somewhere where local or eSIM options are limited. Just be careful to read the fine print. A €5/day deal sounds good until you accidentally rack up €75 in a 15-day stretch.

Some providers also have “Roam Like at Home” packages for specific regions (especially in the EU), which are definitely worth checking.

6. Data Management Tools for Teams

If you’re managing a team that travels often, it’s worth looking into platforms that centralize data usage, billing, and SIM management.

Some B2B-focused eSIM providers offer dashboards where you can monitor usage, top up credits, assign plans, and even get reports. This takes the headache out of expense tracking and makes it easier to control costs.

Some even offer API access, allowing you to integrate usage data into your own systems.

7. Wi-Fi Calling & Messaging Apps: Plan B

Even with the best roaming solution, sometimes you’re still going to end up somewhere with patchy mobile data. That’s when apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Zoom, and Skype become lifelines. Most now support voice and video calls over Wi-Fi, which can save your roaming budget when mobile data is spotty or unavailable.

And if you’re running a business? Slack, Teams, and Google Meet are still the backbone of remote collaboration—just make sure your team knows how to switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi when it makes sense.

Final Thoughts: The Best Roaming Solution is the One That Fits You

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to roaming. The right solution depends on your travel patterns, tech preferences, budget, and how much control you want. For solo travelers, eSIMs are probably your best friend. For teams, combining eSIMs with hotspots and centralized management tools is a strong bet. And for budget-conscious long-stayers, local SIMs might still be king.

But one thing is clear: you’ve got more options than ever before.

The key takeaway? Don’t wait until you’re staring at a €300 roaming bill to take roaming seriously. With a little planning, you can stay connected wherever you are—without sacrificing speed, security, or your sanity.