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Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

DrMike
I'm a trusted contributor

I am travelling to Europe soon for a cruise, and although the ship will have WiFi, I want to be able to stay connected while OFF the ship (for Google Maps, Ubers, and such). I have never used an eSIM before so have been doing as much reading as I can to understand all of this, and JUST when I thought my head was clear and I knew what I wanted to do, I started reading other posts in these forums and got confused all over again as to how to avoid roaming charges while using a European eSIM.

 

I do understand that the one sure way is to remove the physical Rogers SIM card but I do not wish to do that. The European eSIMS I am considering are for data only and I want to be sure that I can be reached by phone in the case of an emergency back home. Also I want to be able to receive texts for 2FA if needed. 

 

I understand that if I get an emergency phone call and I answer it then I am roaming and will be charged, but if it is a real emergency then the $15 is the least of my worries. I also understand (I think?) that I can get a 2FA text message on my Rogers number/SIM and not be charged for roaming unless I ANSWER it. Is that correct? 

 

I still get a lot of spam calls. If I do not answer them and they go to voice mail, will I be charged? As in, is voice mail considered to be "answering". I have a Google Pixel 7 Pro and use the call screening function where the Pixel sends out a message to say the call is being screened? Is *that* considered answering? If so I can turn that feature off I assume. 

 

So, assuming I WANT to keep my Rogers SIM and phone line *available* for emergencies only etc, and use the European eSIM for everything else day to day through my trip, can I still set the phone up so that, absent such an emergency, I will not be hit with unintended roaming charges?  If so, what do I need to do?

 

I keep reading about apps that can "call home" essentially and turn on the roaming even without me doing so? Am I doomed to have to remove the physical Rogers SIM and get a European eSIM that also has a European phone number  - I'd really hate to go to that bother but I do not want to find a huge Rogers bill upon my return home either. 

 

**Labels Updated**

 

 

33 REPLIES 33

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

57
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

@Sal00 wrote:

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Um, that's when you're using RLH.  The FAQ also states that you can make calls within your destination and call Canada.  It does not say "unanswered calls" so obviously this is when you are using RLH (and charged for it).

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

DrMike
I'm a trusted contributor

@57 wrote:

 

Although you may have been able to avoid charges, there are many posts/threads on this topic in this forum where people "thought" they have done nothing at all with their phones, yet they have been charged, even with data roaming off.

So, if I went with a European eSIM and used my Pixel 7's settings to turn OFF the use of my Rogers physical SIM, but turned ON the use of the eSIM for data, I assume that this is as good as having the RLH option removed from my account? My thinking (hope?) is that by doing it that way I will not be charged for roaming until and unless I turned the Rogers SIM back on, and only then if really needed to make a call, knowing I would be invoking RLH but on my terms only when/if I needed it?

 

Or is it still better to have the RLH removed for now, and then turn on the Rogers SIM if I need to make a voice call etc, but in that case incur pay-per-use charges instead? Which I assume might be cheaper than the automatic $15 per day RLH charge, assuming my call(s) were very brief?

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

57
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

@DrMike wrote:

 

1. So, if I went with a European eSIM and used my Pixel 7's settings to turn OFF the use of my Rogers physical SIM, but turned ON the use of the eSIM for data, I assume that this is as good as having the RLH option removed from my account? 

 

2. Or is it still better to have the RLH removed for now, and then turn on the Rogers SIM if I need to make a voice call etc, but in that case incur pay-per-use charges instead? 


1. That is correct, however, many people recommend removing the physical SIM "to make sure" nothing goes sideways.

 

2. I'm a firm believer in pay per use, provided you are able to limit your use to true emergencies.

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Sal00
I plan to stick around

You do not get charged for incoming calls or text messages. If you answer those calls or text messages then yes the Daily Fee for RLH will be charged for that time period. I've done this hundred times and never saw charges on my bill on days I did not answer and never used Airplane Mode as it's redundant since incoming is free and if Data Roaming is Off . I'm trying to help and just educate so people are not 100% cut off away for no reason...

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Pauly
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

I do not know what is going on with all the commotion in this thread?  if you use your phone while outside of canada, you WILL get charged. nothing is free, its either pay per use roaming, or rome like home depending on which one you are set up with.

 

Do you want to avoid roaming charges? who doesn't  i'm sure pretty much everyone wants to avoid roaming charges except for rich people who can afford it.  Airplane mode works, but there are reports of glitches where some people have been able to connect to a foreign network even when air plane mode was on.  we had a friend this happened to, her phone had airplane mode on and her phone was connected to a local carrier outside of canada and incoming calls were ringing, this was cellular connection, not wifi or anything like that, we witnessed it so we know first hand some phones may have this glitch.  but if your smart and see a text message "welcome to roaming" and have airplane mode turned on, then you know somethings up with your phone and not to mess with it, or it can be an expensive bill.

 

option 2 is to physically remove your sim card. why risk having it accidentally turn on by mistake?  take it out, keep it somewhere and put it back in the phone when you get to canada.  this is super easy anyone can do this and there should be no need to complain about charges when doing this as your phone is physically disconnected from the sim card its physically impossible for it to connect to a tower and place a call. the only call you can make is 911 or 112 to the police.

 

Also if the resort you are on has Wifi, and most do, then just use apps on your phone to communicate with each other, like email, or third party messaging apps.  I went away for a whole week and used email to communicate with my family members,  why? because practically anyone with a smart phone has email and email is free to use over wifi,   text messaging costs money when your travelling outside so why pay more if u cant afford it?

 

just follow these tips and you will have almost Zero issues keeping in touch while on your vacation trip.

There is no need to do anything else, just follow those tips, but if your rich and want to spend money, turn on roaming and go nutz, but dont complain to me when you get the bill.

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

57
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

@Sal00 wrote:

You do not get charged for incoming calls or text messages.


I believe you meant to say "unanswered" incoming calls.  Thank you for your input.  I am also just trying to help people avoid roaming charges, especially the $15/day type, if people do not use their phones much and are away for a few weeks where they could be dinged for hundreds of dollars.

 

We do outline ways to stay in touch while minimizing costs, as recommended by @Pauly above and in my summary link.

 

https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Account-Support/Roaming-like-home/m-p/518044/highlight/true#M3...

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Pauly
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

I agree with 57.  and by the way, when you are travelling outside of canada, your choices should be this:

 

1. Agree to Roam on another carrier and pay the roam like home or pay per use roaming rates. This is the most convenient, however it is also the most pricey as there is a cost for convenience.  You also have to be very careful if you have a smart phone because data is constantly being used in the background.

 

2. Buy/rent a local SIM card from the resort, yes rent is an option, I have rented a sim card as far back as mid 2000's and put it in my unlocked phone and data and airtime locally and just topped it up with with the local currency.

3. Take out the SIM card completely and just use the local Wi-Fi from the resort or hotel.  you can use the built in apps on your phone to communicate such as Email, chat, or third party messaging apps.  Sorry, Text Messaging will not work when connected to Wi-Fi,  but that is okay, every one who has a smart phone has an email address even if they dont use it.

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Sal00
I plan to stick around

All I'm saying since I have travelled many times throughout each year for business and pleasure and the days I do not need to use I simply just don't answer any calls I receive or text messages and I ensure Roaming Data is OFF. And I have never got charged for those days.. I look at my bill closely always and I have confirmed with multiple Rogers Reps that what I am saying is true.. I cant speak for others as I have no proof how it happened for them. They could just be complaining over real charges..

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Sal00
I plan to stick around

I have travelled many times throughout each year for business and pleasure and the days I do not need to use I simply just don't answer any calls I receive or text messages and I ensure Roaming Data is OFF. And I have never got charged for extra days. I like the convivence  as if you go away for holidays or business you have already spent so much money and to have a reliable phone with no number change for a few extra hundred dollars depending on the length is worth it.. Nothing will work with the phone with Data if you have Data Roaming OFF and to be extra safe you can shut off the domestic data option too.. 

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Pauly
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

Sal00, just because you never experienced charges does not mean everyone else will follow the same scenario as you.  Your probably very smart with how to configure your phone, we can not say the same for everyone else, lots of people don't know how to turn off roaming and data roaming.  Plus is always a chance when roaming in another country you can get charged even if you don't answer an incoming call,  it happened to me personally, My phone rang and I did not answer it and it went to voicemail,  the next month, I was charged for the call going to voicemail,   its a real thing, it happened to a lot of people, and it happens when roaming on certain networks and does not happen on others so you may have been lucky and not have it happen to you.  Its also a pita wrap to fight with customer service to waive the charges.

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

DrMike
I'm a trusted contributor

So in the end, after all the back and forth, I decided to remove RLH from my account (my cell and wife's cell) and will be buying a European eSIM for data while travelling. If I need to send an "emergency" text message I will gladly incur a 75 cent per text charge vs $15 any day.

 

So now, with RLH removed as an option on my account, if I *want* to be able to receive 2FA texts, I presume I should NOT disable/turn off my Rogers physical SIM as I had originally intended but instead leave it enabled, but turn OFF Data Roaming, and if I get a text it will be free? And if I need to send a text, it will be 75 cents. Is this correct? 

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

Pauly
Resident Expert
Resident Expert

THere is no guarantee 2FA/MFA sms will be delivered once you are outside of canada, but in the event it does work, yes it will be pay per use.  i am not sure if receiving sms are free, or not, but you might want to consult rogers customer service for that.

Re: Roaming vs eSIM for Europe Travel

newhkr
I've been around

Thanks for the info.

Could you confirm whether you are on a business plan or a personal plan?

The behaviour you desribe is absolutely correct according to the info on Rogers Business plans with Roam Like Home.   Very explicit! However, I cannot find the same legal language for the persoanl plan with RLH.  The Business plan addon for RLH refers me a different web page for the personal plan RLH which stays quiet on the details.  Which scares me

Thanks

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