iPhone roaming settings

[sherrardk]

How do I switch off my roaming thing in an iPhone (and do I need to switch it back in when I come back from holidays) - as you can probably work out, I have no idea what the roaming thing is all about. Thanks

[boxtops]

I don't know, I suggested you ring up your service provider and ask them to do it (that's what we had to do with o2). However we don't switch it off once it's on - it doesn't cost us any more to leave it on, and then you don't have to remember to do it again next time you go away.

[Buenchico]

Good evening, Sherrardk.

See here:
http://ipod.about.com.../qt/iph_data_roam.htm

[boxtops]

PS You want the roaming to be ON while you're away otherwise you won't be able to use your phone in the Spanish countries.

[boxtops]

Chris, we've just received a message from o2 saying that shortly, we won't be paying excessive charges for data download in Europe, there will be a connection fee and after that the charges come from our monthly allocation.

[237SJ]

I can`t speak for iphones because I have Android but I go to the mobile networks bit and turn off data roaming. If there is a packet data setting, you disable that as well. You will still get a roaming signal for the phone but you won`t be downloading data.

[sherrardk]

Evening everyone, I will have a look at my phone in the morning (and when I admit defeat after about five minutes, I will had it to the 11 year old to sort out). Thanks for all of our help (still no idea what the roaming thing is all about, but probably best not to confuse me.

[237SJ]

Roaming just means that your phone will find a signal from an overseas phone operator that they have a contract with. For example, when I go to the States I tend to get my signal from AT&T and in Oz it`s Optus. The signal is split into two parts on a smartphone. One part is for the phone (to call and text etc) and the other part is to access the internet. That is what you need to disable when you go abroad (data roaming). If you are somewhere where there is free wifi, that comes to your phone via a router (as opposed to a mobile signal) and you can access that by turning on the wifi on your phone. Data roaming is a complete rip-off. I had a little nose at the internet via data roaming in Hong Kong a while ago and it cost me £130. I learnt my lesson.

[sherrardk]

Thanks 237SJ - think I (sort of) get it now. And I have found the bit on my phone that says it is already switched off (and I didn't even have to ask the 11 year old).