How to Prevent Cell Phone Roaming Charges

Cell phone companies are notorious for sneaking fees and charges to their customers, everything from early termination fees to new handset fees. Roaming charges are a common added expense. However, you can prevent roaming charges by following these suggestions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. If you travel frequently, spend the extra per month to get a nationwide plan. One phone call could easily rack up ten times that much, so it's a good investment.
2. Know your network and home coverage area. Most companies have maps indicating what areas are in your network, out of your network or have no coverage at all. Although these maps are not exact (you still need to pay attention to the indicators on your phone), they can give you a rough estimate of what to expect.
3. Update your preferred roaming list (PRL). This will give you the most current information about the roaming indicator on your phone. Update your PRL every 3 months.
4. Set your phone to warn you if you are going to make a call that would incur roaming charges. If you are about to participate in a call that will incur roaming charges, the phone makes you press a button, such as "1" or "ok," before making or answering the call. Most phones will allow you to do this. Look for "Call Guard" or something similar in the Settings menu.
5. Set your phone to ask for confirmation before downloading messages when you travel. This practice will keep you from getting text, pix and flix messages while you are on a roaming network. This is also usually in the Settings menu, under "Message Settings." It might be called "Message Retrieval Options" or "Automatic Retrieval Settings."
6. Purchase an international SIM card for travel abroad. These allow you to get better rates while out of the country (in many countries, it allows you to receive incoming calls for free). These can be purchased from companies like Cellular Abroad or Telestial (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a "Nationwide" plan, make sure that you and your cell phone company are on the same page as to what constitutes national. Some companies define it as anywhere in the U.S. Others define it as anywhere in the U.S. on their networks and some consider it the major metro areas of the U.S. Find out what is really covered under your carrier's national plan.
• Pay attention to that roaming indicator on your phone.

Who Can Help:

• Find Electrical Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.