Roaming charges have long been a source of frustration for travelers, but in 2017, the European Union introduced a policy that has made it much cheaper to stay connected while you’re abroad. This policy, known as “roam like at home,” allows you to use your mobile phone in any EU country without paying any extra roaming charges.

This is a major win for consumers, as it has made it much more affordable to stay connected while you’re traveling. In the past, roaming charges could be very expensive, so this policy has really made a difference.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how the “roam like at home” policy works and what it means for travelers. Roaming charges can be a major expense when you’re traveling outside the European Union We’ll also give you some tips on how to make sure you’re getting the most out of it.

Roam like at home

The “roam like at home” policy is a European Union regulation that allows mobile phone users to use their phones in other EU countries without paying any extra roaming charges. This means that you can make calls, send text messages, and use data at the same rates as you do in your home country.

The policy was introduced in 2017 and has been a huge benefit for travelers, as it has made it much cheaper to stay connected while you’re abroad. In the past, roaming charges could be very expensive, so this policy has really made a difference.

The “roam like at home” policy applies to all EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It does not apply to countries outside of the EU, so if you’re traveling to a non-EU country, you should check with your mobile phone carrier to see what their roaming rates are.

The most expensive countries in relation to roaming costs are:

• South Africa: Roaming rates in South Africa are among the highest in the world, with some providers charging up to R20 per MB of data.
• Egypt: Roaming rates in Egypt are also very high, with some providers charging up to EGP5 per MB of data.
• Canada: Roaming rates in Canada are not as high as in South Africa or Egypt, but they are still relatively expensive, with some providers charging up to C$1 per MB of data.
• China: Roaming rates in China can be very high, especially for data. Some providers charge up to CNY1 per MB of data.
• United States: Roaming rates in the United States are not as high as in some other countries, but they can still be expensive, with some providers charging up to USD0.50 per MB of data.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and the roaming rates in any particular country can vary depending on the mobile phone carrier and the specific plan you have. It is always best to check with your mobile phone carrier before traveling to any country to see what their roaming rates are.

 Here are some tips on how to avoid roaming outside the European Union:

1. Buy a local SlM card. This is the most effective way to avoid roaming charges. You can buy a local SIM card in most countries, and they usually come with a prepaid plan that includes a certain amount of data, calls, and texts.
2. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible. If you can, connect to Wi-Fi whenever you’re in a hotel, restaurant, or other public place. This will help you avoid using your cellular data plan, which can incur roaming charges.
3. Turn off data roaming. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to accidentally use your cellular data plan even when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. To avoid this, go into your phone’s settings and turn off data roaming. This will prevent your phone from using cellular data unless you’re in an area with no Wi-Fi.
4. Don’t answer calls unless they’re urgent. You’ll be charged for incoming calls as well as outgoing calls when you’re roaming. So, if you can, avoid answering calls unless they’re urgent.
5. Use a messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal. These apps use data instead of cellular minutes, so they’re a great way to keep in touch with friends and family while you’re traveling without incurring roaming charges.

By following these tips, you can avoid roaming charges and save money on your next trip outside the EU.

Here are some additional tips that you may find helpful: roaming outside the European Union

• Check your phone’s settings to see if it has a roaming alert feature. This will let you know when you’re about to use roaming data or minutes so you can make a decision about whether or not to continue.
• Consider using a travel-specific SIM card or eSIM. These cards are designed for travelers and often offer more affordable roaming rates than your regular SIM card. Check out the Alertify store and find the best solution for your needs
• Download a data usage monitor app. This can help you track your data usage and make sure you don’t go over your plan.
• Be mindful of the apps you’re using. Some apps, like social media apps and streaming services, can use a lot of data even when you’re not actively using them.
• Check with your mobile phone carrier to see if they offer any special roaming plans for international travel.
• If you’re going to be traveling to multiple countries, it may be worthwhile to get a multi-country SIM card. This will give you a single SIM card that you can use in multiple countries, which can save you money on roaming charges.
• If you’re planning on using a lot of data while you’re traveling, you may want to consider getting a travel data plan from your mobile phone carrier. This will give you a set amount of data that you can use while you’re abroad, and it will usually be cheaper than paying per-use roaming rates.

By following these tips, you can easily avoid roaming charges and save money on your next trip.

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