What exactly is it?When you purchase cellular services your provider defines a “home” area where your plan works.For instance, you live in a small city and your cellular services as defined by your plan are only effective within the confines of that geographical area.When you leave that area and a cellular tower outside the defined home zone picks up your signal, your phone automatically goes into roaming mode.The phone will seek a signal from the best source which may be another provider altogether.This means extra charges for using your phone and its features.
These extra charges could very well be in addition to long distance charges, and the charges for using another provider’s system.This is where things can get a little confused… as if they aren’t already.Some carriers have plans that could be nationwide others just a “larger” geographical zone.You need to define this with your provider.Still, you could be in a “dead zone” with your own provider and another will pick up your signal meaning you may have roaming charges applied.Some providers make provisions for this in their plans so you need to ensure that you know how these charges are being calculated.Some carriers have reciprocal agreements while others may offer reduced rates to your provider.
If you travel a great deal, one of these “national” plans might be worth the extra cost.Some plans provide for free long distance and no roaming charges; but you do pay for it.If your plan does not have a standardized long distance attached then you will be billed for the long distance costs.
The trick to all of this is knowing who is picking up your signal.If you are calling long distance from within your “home” zone, long distance costs will be defined for you.If you are calling from outside your home zone a different set of charges will apply and again, if it is through another carrier, a different set of charges apply again.And all of this is still using your allotted minutes per month plan.
No matter what, if you get charges on your bill that you do not understand, contact your provider for an explanation.The one thing you can count on though, is if your phone is roaming you can expect much higher per minute fees in addition to any other charges you may incur.
Check out how your carrier charges for roaming.It might be worth your while to leave your cellular phone at home while on vacation.