Use Wi-Fi. One of the easiest ways to avoid international roaming charges is to connect to Wi-Fi networks. Most hotels, cafes, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. You can also purchase a portable Wi-Fi device or use a local SIM card that includes data usage.
You can use your mobile, tablet or any other device if your telco has an agreement with an overseas network. This is 'international roaming'. The cost of using international roaming for voice calls, texts or data can be very high, resulting in bill shock.
You can use the Internet with your smartphone overseas, but international roaming (using data communication overseas) may result in expensive communication charges. To prevent this, turn on Airplane Mode from the time you board the plane until you return to your home country when traveling abroad.
If you're relying on Wi-Fi, it's important that you turn off cellular data on your phone, otherwise you may inadvertently rack up international roaming charges. Skype, Google Hangouts and other apps also let you make free video calls with other users over an internet connection.
If you want to stay connected to mobile phone service even if you travel away from your cell carrier's network, data roaming should be switched “on.” But if you want to avoid fees and you're aware of the risks of losing connectivity, then you can turn data roaming to “off.”
WiFi calling becomes even more useful when you're traveling internationally. You can use it to call and send text messages to U.S. numbers for free when you're in another country, saving you international long distance charges.
Travelling internationally
You can use airplane mode to avoid roaming charges when travelling. You won't be able to send or receive text messages or phone calls, or use data services, but you could connect to a Wi-Fi network to check your email or browse the internet.
Airplane Mode turns off your device's ability to connect to cellular networks (meaning it can no longer send or receive calls or texts, or use data). As it is no longer accessing local cellular networks, it will not be charged roaming fees (caused by your device connecting to networks outside its home region).
Some operators, for example, offer daily roaming bundles for laptop connectivity and monthly bundles for push e-mail roaming. For SMS, most operators do not charge for receiving an SMS while roaming, in much the same way as there is usually no charge for receiving an SMS at home. How does SMS and data roaming work?
When you land in an international country, you can simply turn off airplane mode and use your phone just like you do at home. You'll get unlimited free texting, and data costs the same as when you're back home and using Google Fi. The only thing that can cost extra is phone calls.
Australian phone networks work on GSM technology. This is the standard in most countries around the world, so your phone should work in significant parts of Europe and Asia, in the US, UK, and New Zealand.
When you are traveling out of the country, you can still use WhatsApp account via mobile data or Wi-Fi. If you use a local SIM card while you are traveling, you can still use WhatsApp with your home number.
Using WiFi doesn't count as data usage no matter where you are, so when you don't have access to your home network, log on via WiFi to avoid roaming charges. Alternatively, airplane mode will turn off both data and WiFi options off when traveling away from your home network.
When your phone is in Airplane mode, callers will hear the phone ringing, although it's not ringing on your end because your phone is not active. If the caller hangs up without leaving a voice mail, no notification will be generated as it would if your phone were in an active state.
Turn off Data Roaming or prepare for a trip. Need to avoid roaming charges because you arrived at your destination without an international data plan? Check your Cellular Data options and turn off Data Roaming. In the Settings app, tap Cellular, or Cellular Data, or Mobile Data.
When you enable airplane mode you disable your phone's ability to connect to cellular or WiFi networks or to Bluetooth. This means you can't make or receive calls, send texts, or browse the internet.
WiFi calling is available at no extra charge when you call U.S. numbers from anywhere in the world. You use WiFi data for WiFi calling, and charges may apply through the WiFi service provider. This is most applicable when you're in an international location.
Do I get charged for receiving international texts? No, as long as you don't reply. In general, most phone plans only charge for outgoing messages, not incoming ones. If you get a text from someone in another country, you won't be charged as long as you don't reply to it.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide and is supported by most mobile systems, including iPhone, Android and Windows. Since 2016, WhatsApp stopped charging subscription fees for messaging other WhatsApp users, further solidifying its position as one of the best international texting apps.
Your phone uses “mobile data” when connected to your provider's network in your “home” country. When you travel and leave the “home” network, data roaming takes over, which allows you to access the internet in other countries. Remember that data roaming is more expensive than mobile data.
Does Airplane Mode Use Data? No. Because enabling airplane mode prevents your phone from connecting to your mobile provider's cell network, you won't use any data in airplane mode.