Trips abroad (for business or personal) are not quite the same as they were pre-Covid and pre-Brexit, and how things are different depends on your destination. When masks are required varies, how long you can stay varies, and the roaming service you receive varies. While roaming is still possible when you travel, it is not always straightforward and almost certainly not cheap, let alone free, so it is important to check what service (if any) you will receive before you travel. Otherwise, you may find yourself will a hefty bill.
Many travellers to the USA and some European countries are experiencing challenges: no phone calls or SMS, or even data with specific operators and certain devices (even in areas that were perfectly covered before). Many mobile operators are decommissioning their older networks (2G and 3G) in favour of more efficient 4G and 5G networks. These new networks are not yet fully supported for roaming by all operators.
What should the industry be doing? These are my thoughts:
Supporting VoLTE roaming is a must
Not supporting international roaming has multiple effects for high value customers: not receiving an SMS can block a bank transaction or a payment, voice communication is still key for business and private communications. Patchy or non-existent coverage while roaming is unacceptable. Customers rely on mobile devices; both voice calling and SMS are basic and intrinsic services expected from mobile phones. Mobile operators are reducing their value by not providing a consistent connection. Support for 4G and 5G roaming is necessary – or customers will go elsewhere.
Build services
Operators need to build a robust and reliable network in order to provide a universal service. Sign commercial deals that will get customers connected overseas. If customers can reliably travel to any country and use their mobile phone for voice and SMS, they will likely be happy to pay the premium.
Alternatively, and this is better suited to low-cost operators, rather than spending time, money, and resources building a universal network, these operators could build packages of OTT services, such as free WhatsApp messaging and voice calling, so that users can use their data allowance (already carried via the 4G network).
It's time for the industry to take a long hard look at roaming and make a serious commitment to ‘do better' and create a new ‘golden age' of roaming that's good for customers and therefore, by extension, the industry as well. But while customers are waiting for the mobile phone sector to pull its socks up, here is what can be done now to reduce roaming risks:
Check if your phone is 4G ready
Check if your company phones show a 4G or LTE sign, if a phone is 5G ready you are ready to travel. But see the next steps.
Check if your phone is older than 2015
Even some of the 4G devices might not work well. It is mostly the earlier models, sold before 2015 that do not support ‘Voice over LTE' (or VoLTE). Time to invest in a new device if your business trip requires you to roam freely in USA and other places. If your company uses Apple products, from the iPhone 8 onwards they are all compatible. If your phones are good, it is now time to check your operator.
Check if your Mobile Operator is supporting VoLTE for Roaming
Not all operators have ‘turned on' the Voice over LTE function for roaming. About 700 networks have launched VoLTE in their market domestically, but in 2021 only 50 operators globally support roaming on 4G. A check on the operator's website or a visit to the shop might help, but often you might have to call customer service to get a proper answer.
Get the pricing right
The choice of roaming package is still important. Regulation made roaming in the European Union simpler to understand, but if you are travelling outside the EU or are arriving from another country prices might still be complex and often disproportionally high. Many operators have built international packages and options that make it easier to budget for international travelling – but not all.
Bottom line
While we wait for socks to be pulled up, do your research before you leave for the airport, ferry terminal or rail station, and speak to your operator.
By Dario Betti, CEO, Mobile Ecosystem Forum
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dario Betti is CEO of MEF (Mobile Ecosystem Forum) a global trade body established in 2000 and headquartered in the UK with members across the world. As the voice of the mobile ecosystem, it focuses on cross-industry best practices, anti-fraud and monetisation. The Forum provides its members with global and cross-sector platforms for networking, collaboration and advancing industry solutions.
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