If you’re travelling outside Canada with a cellphone, mobile device or computer, you may be charged international data roaming fees if you connect to a wireless network. The data used by your device in another country could result in large bills from your service provider. Your devices may intermittently use data even if you are not actively using them.
- International data roaming
- Before you go
- While you are away
- When you return to Canada
International data roaming
International data roaming is a service that allows you to use messages, email and the Internet on your wireless device while you are using a wireless network in another country.
When you use your wireless device while you are abroad, you connect to a local wireless network to transmit data. International data roaming occurs when your data is transmitted through a local service to your Canadian network.
The rate you pay for international roaming charges is determined by your Canadian service provider.
Before you go
Check with your current service provider
Check your service contract for roaming fees that will be applied when you call, text or use data outside of your plan’s coverage area. You may also be able to get this information from your service provider’s website or by contacting a customer service representative.
Your service provider may also offer packages for travel to the United States and other international destinations. The packages usually provide a bundle of minutes, texts and/or data for a fixed price.
- Check if there is a toll-free number to reach customer service from your destination country without long-distance charges.
Compare other service options
To avoid roaming fees, you may be able to subscribe to a telecommunications service at your destination. To find a reliable service provider, research service providers on the Internet, notably on travel forums.
- Check the coverage area of the service providers. You may be charged roaming fees if your device connects to another network that is stronger than your home network.
You may also have access to limited services while you are on a cruise ship or a plane.
While you are away
Monitor usage on your device and compare it to the limit of your plan. You can take the following steps to help reduce your usage:
Enable airplane mode
Enable airplane mode when you are not using your device. Voice, text and data services are turned off when your device is in airplane mode. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and other services may also be turned off, depending on your phone.
- To avoid being charged roaming fees, ensure that airplane mode is activated before you cross the border or your flight takes off.
- While your device is in airplane mode, you can manually re-enable Wi-Fi to connect to wireless services that are offered for free or at low cost at many hotels and public places.
- Bluetooth, GPS and other location services can also be manually turned on while in airplane mode.
Remove or switch your SIM card
To avoid roaming charges, you can remove your SIM card from your device. You will not have access to data, but you can use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth without a SIM card. You can also replace your SIM card with one from a local service provider at your destination or use a digital SIM card (eSIM) that can be used without removing your SIM card.
If you remove or replace your SIM card, keep it in a safe place. If you lose your SIM card, you will lose any data that is saved on it, which could include your contacts, photos and text messages. Before your trip, check to see if your data can be saved to a cloud service.
To change your SIM card or eSIM, your phone must be unlocked. This means it is not tied to a particular service provider. Phones sold by Canadian service providers must be unlocked.
- If you bought your phone before December 1, 2017, or if you bought a used phone, check your device’s settings to ensure that your phone is unlocked.
Use Wi-Fi and Chat apps
Using Wi-Fi rather than data roaming will save money.
You can text and make calls through the Internet using applications like WhatsApp, Signal, Skype and Google Voice. Some applications may charge a fee, particularly if you are calling a landline.
Find directions using a GPS app that doesn’t require data usage or download offline versions of maps from an app. The maps can be used without an Internet connection and can use less data when used while connected to a mobile network.
Data compression apps
There are apps that can compress data and let you do up to 5 times more with your current data plan without additional fees. They reduce your roaming charges by providing a leaner version of the Internet.
They will also provide you with a breakdown of your mobile data usage, showing you how much data is being consumed by each app and allowing you to make better-informed data usage choices.
Go to mobile-friendly websites
Some websites are available in versions that are optimized for mobile devices, so they use fewer megabytes. In some cases, the mobile websites have an address that is very similar to their desktop site. Try replacing the “www” with “m” or “mobile” or replacing the “.co”, “.ca” or “.com” with “.mobi.”
Set up a MiFi
If you’re travelling with your family or a group, you can create your own personal secure Wi-Fi hotspot with a MiFi device—a wireless modem that can service up to 5 Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
When you return
You can monitor your real-time usage on your device and compare it to the limit of your plan. Your monthly bill is the next-best tool to review your usage.
Service providers cannot charge more than $100 for roaming per billing cycle unless you explicitly agree to pay more. They also need to notify you when you are roaming internationally. If you get unexpected charges, contact your service provider.
Related links
- Cyber security while travelling
- Data plans, usage and fees (CRTC)
- International roaming fees (CRTC)
