With globalization on the rise and the world becoming a closely knit digital village, staying connected is more vital than ever. However, one major concern for many travelers is the potentially exorbitant costs of roaming charges. If you’ve ever experienced 'bill shock' from roaming charges after an international trip, you know it's an experience you'd rather avoid in the future. One widely proposed solution is putting your phone on airplane mode. But does this actually protect you from those unwanted fees? Let’s dive in!

Understanding Roaming Charges

Before we delve into the solution, let's first understand the problem. Roaming charges are fees you accrue when you use your phone on another carrier's network, typically when abroad. Your home provider doesn't have coverage everywhere, so they 'rent' bandwidth from other carriers. This renting often comes at a premium, leading to higher charges for calls, texts, and data usage.

Airplane Mode to the Rescue?

Airplane mode is a setting on most modern mobile devices that, when activated, suspends many of its signal transmitting functions. Here’s what happens when you turn on airplane mode:

1. Cellular Data: Your device will stop using mobile data, meaning no more browsing, emails, or app updates unless you connect to Wi-Fi.

2. Calls & Texts: Your phone won’t be able to send or receive any calls or texts.

3. Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: By default, these are usually turned off, but they can be manually re-enabled while staying in airplane mode.

So, in essence, turning on airplane mode does prevent roaming charges since it stops all cellular activity. However, there's a catch: if you manually enable Wi-Fi and connect to a paid network, or if apps run in the background after you’ve connected to Wi-Fi, there may be charges, albeit not roaming ones. And while there's free WiFi available in a lot of locations, you can never be certain about how secure your connection is.

You can also read our guide on does airplane mode turn off location.

The Smart Way to 'Roam'

While airplane mode is an effective solution to avoid unwanted charges, it also means cutting off your connection to the world unless you have access to Wi-Fi. However, for those who want to remain connected without worrying about surprise bills, considering an eSIM solution might be the answer.

With eSIM, or "electronic SIM", you can download international profiles that allow you to connect to local networks at a fraction of the cost of traditional roaming. Roamless offers affordable international data and in-app calling options, ensuring you're always connected. The benefits are:

1. Cost-Effective: Say goodbye to exorbitant roaming fees and enjoy affordable rates no matter where you travel.

2. Convenience: No need to swap out physical SIM cards or buy local ones. With an eSIM, you can switch profiles with a few taps.

3. Stay Connected: Unlike airplane mode, you're always online, ensuring you never miss an important call, text, or email.

Final Thoughts

While putting your phone on airplane mode is a foolproof way to avoid roaming charges, it's akin to taking a sledgehammer to a minor problem. You avoid charges but at the cost of staying disconnected. Instead, consider embracing the future with eSIM solutions. Not only do you get to enjoy your trip without the constant worry of charges, but you also stay connected with loved ones and remain updated, ensuring the best of both worlds.

So, the next time you're packing your bags for an international trip, remember: you don’t have to choose between staying connected and avoiding hefty fees. With eSIM, you can have it all.

And on that note…

Introducing: The Roamless Way of Staying Connected

• With Roamless, our single eSIM gets you pay-as-you-go, flexible data connectivity in any destination where we have coverage.

• Our in-app calling feature allows you to make phone calls to 200+ destinations starting at $0.01 per minute.

• Very soon, our "local numbers" feature will also allow you to get a CallerID, receive calls and have SMS capability right from inside the Roamless app.

• So download the Roamless app today, create your account and start saving up to 90% on roaming charges.