Access key 0 - Accessibility, Access key 1 - Home, Access key 2 - Jump to content, Access key 5 - FAQs Access key 7 - Jump to navigation
Wednesday 14 May

Frequently asked questions


1. What do I need to do before I leave?

The first thing to do is ask how much your mobile operator charges for calls from abroad. Your provider will usually offer a wide range of alternative services with different prices, and there are often special offers during holiday periods. You may also want to consider some other options which we've set out below:

  • If you use a pre-paid system, consider switching to post-paid (with a monthly bill). If you travel a lot, the cheaper roaming rates may offset the monthly line rental.
  • There are a lot of operators who offer discounts on roaming calls, and switching to one of those reduced prices could cut your total call costs when you're abroad.

2. How does my mobile work in foreign countries?

When you travel to a different country with your mobile phone, your home operator may not have coverage in the place you have travelled to. However, you are still able to make and receive calls because your mobile phone can ‘roam’ onto another operator’s network in the country you are visiting.

This is possible because your home operator has a ‘roaming agreement’ with an operator in the country you are visiting which enables you to use its network.

When you switch on your phone in the foreign country, your mobile phone picks up the radio signals of one of the operators in that country. This local operator will then ‘authenticate’ your mobile phone with your home operator (e.g. check if you are a valid customer, whether you are allowed to roam, etc.). If your home operator responds with a positive authentication, your mobile phone is ready for use.

All you have to do is to switch your phone on. Operators have done a lot of work to make this process completely automatic and it typically takes only a few minutes to log on to the local network.

3. When I want to make a call when roaming, what actually happens?

When you are roaming and you make a call, the operator in the country you are visiting analyses the number you have dialled, and decides how best to route the call.

If you are calling home, then the host operator will connect the call back to your home country.

Remember, if you are calling a landline, you may need to include an area code.

For example, to dial the UK mobile number 07903 XXX XXX from another country, you dial +44 7903 XXX XXX. If you are calling a landline, you may need to include an area code.

If you are calling a local number in the country you are visiting, the host operator will usually connect the call directly.

4. Is this different if I receive a call?

When someone calls you on your mobile, the call will usually be routed to your home country and your home operator. Your home operator knows where you are roaming, and will then forward the call to the operator whose network you are using in the country you are visiting. The host network will then connect the call to you.

This initial routing back to your home operator happens regardless of where the call originates, as only your home operator has the information about your location.

Note that when you are roaming, you have to pay both for calls that you make and receive.

5. How do I get billed for making and receiving calls?

When you use your phone while roaming (both making and receiving calls), the host operator will keep a record of your calls (for billing purposes only). It will send these records, along with the corresponding charges, to your home operator.

Your home operator will aggregate these call charges, and reflect them in your next bill. All charges will appear in your home currency – your home operator will convert the foreign operator's charges for you automatically.

It can take some time for the call charges to be sent to your home operator by the visited operator.

6. Are there any alternatives while travelling?

  • Send SMS (text) messages instead of calling. Getting a text message when you're abroad is usually free.
  • Change the ‘ SIM card’ in your phone for a local one which you can buy in the country you’re visiting. The SIM card is the little electronic chip that links your phone to a specific mobile network. You can usually change it in less than a minute.