Turning off data roaming mobile when travel abroad.

Switch off data roaming and iCloud mobile to avoid a Mass Mobile Bill before Travelling Abroad. The best way is unlocked your mobile before your travel or buy a cheaper unlocked mobile, then when arrived to your destination buy a local prepaid SIM Card with enough Data Mobile, like (150 Country Minutes, Unlimited Texts, 250 or 500 MB Data), and install in your smartphone just during your holidays. Do not forget to use Free Wi-Fi at your hotel and hotspots available at library, restaurants and pubs.

Use the internet connexion hotspots only when necessary and for a short time in public places, so you prevent hackers or crackers will not see your photos, contacts and private conversations on your mobile, and always disconnect the Wi-Fi public after use.

Recommended use with Intelligent Data Teams:

BlackBerry devices with version 10.0 operating system , iPhone and Android devices NOT compress data , so they may cause unexpected consumption on your bill . Devices with BlackBerry operating system to version 7.1 if you compress the data .There are apps that constantly generate data consumption as Twitter , Facebook, Messenger , Skype, applications and Weather Forecast Maps etc. . , As always keep the connection open and some are updated even when running in the background . Sign only when you will use and remember to close the session if you will be unavailable for a while.
   
    There are applications that offer free content storage for your photos , music , videos and documents in general , such as Dropbox , iCloud, Google Drive, among others , which can generate consumption data to be used if you do not have a WiFi connection. We recommend you take precautions when deciding to use : Data benefit from free WiFi zones and make sure the connection is really this way , check the user manual of your computer/mobile.
   
    If you have an Android device we recommend see " Google Play Store" different applications available through which you can control and monitor your data consumption , such as: "Traffic Monitor" and " Monitor Data Traffic " .

ARE YOU USING ROAMING?: prevents unexpected data consumption on your invoice:

     • CONNECTED IN MOBILE DATA or DATA only when you require.


     • NETWORKS BY USING Wi-Fi: make sure you have an effective connection, since all consumption outside of these networks is charged. Make sure that when you go to use Free Wi-Fi, first switched off your mobile data.


     • Before traveling can DISABLE MOBILE DATA or DATA on the menu of your mobile device by following these steps:

         Android: Settings / More Settings / Mobile Networks / data connection Disable / Uncheck Data Roaming.

         iPhone: Settings / General / Network Before driving off "Data Roaming" option

         BlackBerry operating system to version 7.1: Manage Connections / Mobile Network Options / Before driving off "Data Roaming" option
 
         BlackBerry operating systems version 10.0: Settings / Network Connections / Mobile Network. Before driving off "Data Roaming Services" option 

How can I avoid a large mobile phone bill when I travel overseas?

You are here: Ask Sydney - ICT / FAQ / Answer detail

How can I avoid a large mobile phone bill when I travel overseas?

Updated 28/02/2014 11.21 AM

There are many ways to minimise the University costs caused by international mobile phone charges. The easiest way to avoid large international mobile phone bills is to limit the use of your mobile phone, but we understand this is not always practical or convenient. To minimise costs, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) recommends the following tips and tricks:

1. Buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive at your destination and use this instead of your Australian SIM card. If you use a prepaid SIM card you will have a local phone number and will be charged at the local call rate instead of the international roaming rate (which is often very expensive!). If you choose to do this, you will need to contact the ICT Helpdesk to ensure your mobile phone is unlocked before you leave Australia.
2. If you prefer to keep your Australian number while you are overseas then you will be charged at the international roaming rates to make and receive calls and to access the Internet on your phone. To minimise call charges contact the ICT Helpdesk to obtain an Optus Calling Card. You will still be charged if you receive calls or if you access the Internet on your mobile phone, but the cards allow you to make phone calls at a cheaper rate.
3. Disable data roaming on your mobile phone, regardless of whether you are using an Australian or international prepaid SIM card. International data roaming can be expensive, so ICT recommends that you access the Internet via wireless hotspots in your hotel or in public places, or if you are visiting a university that participates in eduroam, you can use your UniKey to access their wireless network. Please follow this guide to disabling iCloud on your Apple device, and this guide to turning off Data Roaming on your iPhone.
4. If you prefer to continue to make and receive calls on your phone and access all the services you are used to overseas, take a look at the new Optus Business AutoRoam offer that is available for University staff at a significant discount.  With Optus AutoRoam, you can easily stay in touch in over 170 countries, while having call charges billed back to your Optus account in Australian dollars. For more information, visit What is Optus Business AutoRoam? or contact the ICT Helpdesk. 

Does it cost money to unlock an iPhone?

No, Optus does not charge the University to unlock an iPhone.

Can you monitor your cost as you go while you are travelling overseas?

No. The overseas network carrier will need to charge Optus at the end of your billing cycle, which is why there is often a delay before the international roaming charges are shown on your University mobile bill. See How much do International calls and data charges cost? for an idea on how much you will be charged whilst travelling overseas.