Are you planning a trip to the US? We know that staying connected is an essential part of your journey. There are several options, including Wi-Fi, eSIMS, portable routers, SIM cards and data roaming.
Today, we are going to clarify everything about data roaming, so you can decide if it’s the best alternative for you.
What is Data Roaming?
Let’s begin with the basics: What is data roaming? It is a service provided by your home carrier that allows you to connect internationally. This means your local carrier gives you access to foreign networks in the country you’re visiting. Depending on your cellphone plan, this can include sending SMS, making calls, and using an internet connection.
Before we continue, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of choosing data roaming as an option.
Advantages:
- You don’t have to worry about purchasing a new SIM card or finding a local Wi-Fi network. It’s all integrated into your existing plan, offering a convenient experience
- You can choose a plan with your local carriers that adapts to your needs. This allows flexibility based on your travel requirements.
Disadvantages:
- Data roaming can be expensive, so it is important to be aware of your data consumption to avoid any unexpected charges.
- Remember that not all countries offer data roaming services, and coverage can be limited.
- Your connection speed might be slow in comparison to what you are used to at home.
Buying an eSIM for USA: The best option to avoid roaming charges
Looking for an eSIM with unlimited data is the best option to stop paying roaming fees. An eSIM is a virtual chip that connects to the best networks in the United States.
Below we show you how to activate an eSIM for the USA.
1. Check eSIM compatibility
Ensure that your phone is eSIM compatible. Most recent iPhones, Android devices, and some other smartphones support eSIM technology. You can check your device’s compatibility on the manufacturer’s website or consult the manual.
2. Obtain your eSIM details
When you purchase a SIMSOLO eSIM for USA, you will typically receive a QR code or a manual activation code via email or through the SIMSOLO app. This code is necessary to activate the eSIM on your phone.
3. Open your phone’s settings
- For iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- For Android:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Tap Add Carrier or Add eSIM.
4. Scan the eSIM QR Code
- For iPhone:
- After tapping Add Cellular Plan, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code that you received from SIMSOLO.
- If you received a manual activation code instead, tap Enter Details Manually and input the information provided by SIMSOLO.
- For Android:
- Select Scan QR Code (if prompted).
- Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code.
5. Confirm Activation
Once your phone scans the QR code or you enter the details manually, follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the eSIM activation. You may be asked to label your plan (e.g., “Main Plan” or “Travel Plan”).
6. Set Up Your eSIM Plan
Once activated, your eSIM will appear in the Mobile Network section. You can set your eSIM as the default line for data, calls, and text messages, or you can manage it based on your preferences (e.g., using eSIM for data and your physical SIM for calls).
7. Restart Your Phone
To finalize the process, restart your phone. This ensures that the eSIM is properly registered with your mobile network.
8. Test Your Connection
After your phone restarts, check if the eSIM is connected to the network. You should see the network name in the status bar, and you can test it by accessing the internet or making a call.
How does Data Roaming work in the US?
1. Activate your Roaming Services
Before your travel, it is essential to verify if your home carrier offers data roaming in the USA. In some cases, roaming activates automatically when you arrive in the US, but in other cases, you may require some extra steps to ensure your connectivity.
TIP: ALWAYS CONFIRM WITH YOUR CARRIER HOW THEIR ROAMING SERVICES WORK, TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MOBILE INTERNET CONNECTION
2. Major Carriers and Coverage
Find out which US carrier your local provider has a roaming agreement with. Then you’ll know to which network you are going to be connected once you land. The major US carriers are: AT&T, and T-Mobile; their coverage may vary by region. In larger cities and urban areas, you’ll likely have access to fast and reliable 4G or 5G networks, while rural or remote areas may have more limited coverage or slower speeds. Be sure to check with your carrier for more specific details on coverage and network compatibility before your trip.
How to Enable Data Roaming?
Android:
- Open Settings: On your Android phone, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
- Go to Connections or Network & Internet: Scroll down and tap on either “Connections” or “Network & Internet,” depending on your device model.
- Tap Mobile Network: Under the “Connections” or “Network & Internet” section, find and tap on Mobile Network.
- Enable Data Roaming: Look for an option labeled “Data Roaming” and toggle it on. This allows you to use your mobile data when traveling outside your home country.
- Verify Roaming Settings: You can also check if Roaming Data and International Roaming are enabled, which ensures that you’re covered for roaming services while abroad.
iPhone:
- Open Settings: On your iPhone, tap the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular: Scroll down and tap on Cellular (or Mobile Data in some regions).
- Go to Cellular Data Options: Tap Cellular Data Options (or Mobile Data Options).
- Enable Data Roaming: Turn on the switch for Data Roaming. This allows you to use mobile data when you’re in a roaming area.
- Verify Roaming Settings: If you’re traveling internationally, also make sure that Voice Roaming is enabled to ensure full connectivity for both calls and data.
What are the costs of Data Roaming in the USA?
The cost of data roaming in the U.S. when traveling from Europe can vary significantly depending on your European mobile provider, the plan you have, and the specific terms they offer for international usage. Here’s a general overview of what you might expect in 2025:
1. Standard data roaming Rates
- Cost: Typically, the cost of roaming data in the U.S. ranges from $5 to $15 per MB for standard roaming services (though this can vary by provider). These rates are very expensive and can quickly lead to large bills, especially if you use a lot of data.
2. Roaming Packages and Add-ons
Most European carriers offer specific international roaming packages that can help reduce costs. These packages are often designed for travelers and provide a set amount of data for a fixed price. Some examples:
- EU Operators with U.S. Roaming Plans:
- Vodafone: Offers daily passes or monthly bundles for data usage in the U.S. For instance, the “Vodafone Global Roaming” package can range from $3 to $10 per day for data roaming (up to 500 MB or 1 GB).
- EE (UK): Offers data roaming packages with U.S. coverage, including daily plans like $6 per day for 500 MB of data.
- Orange: Offers a “Travel Pass” or “World Pass” where you can get around $7-$15 per day for data, usually with up to 1GB or more of data.
- T-Mobile (Germany): T-Mobile offers the “MagentaMobil” plan with “USA Roaming Passes”, which can be priced around $10 per day for 500 MB or 1GB of data.
3. Unlimited Data Roaming (for a Daily Fee)
Some carriers have unlimited data roaming packages in the U.S. for a fixed daily fee, usually ranging from $5 to $15 per day. However, these might come with limitations on speed after a certain threshold (e.g., 1 GB of high-speed data before throttling to slower speeds).
- Examples:
- Three (UK): Their “Feel At Home” plan allows you to roam in the U.S. for free under certain conditions, but may require you to pay for additional data usage if you exceed a fair-use policy.
- Vodafone: Some plans offer unlimited data in the U.S. as part of the international travel options, often included in their “Red” plans.
Costs of Roaming services, if your are coming from South America
The cost of data roaming when traveling to the U.S. from South America can vary depending on your carrier, country, and the specific plan you have. Here’s an overview of what to expect in 2025 based on common South American providers:
1. Standard data roaming rates
- Cost: Similar to European providers, data roaming in the U.S. can be very expensive for South American travelers. The typical cost for standard roaming can range from $5 to $15 per MB for basic data usage, and this can quickly add up depending on how much data you use.
2. Roaming Packages and Add-ons
Most South American carriers offer international roaming packages, here are some examples:
Brazil
- Claro: Claro offers international roaming options with plans that can cost around $4 to $8 per day, which typically includes 50MB to 100MB of data. For larger data plans, you can expect to pay more.
- TIM: TIM has roaming packages for U.S. usage that range from $2 to $6 per day for small data allocations (50MB to 100MB). There are also higher-tier plans offering more data for higher daily fees.
Argentina
- Movistar: Movistar offers data roaming packages for U.S. usage that can range from$1.50 to $5 per day for small data packages (usually 50MB to 100MB). They also offer larger data plans for extended usage.
- Claro: Claro offers roaming packages for the U.S., typically starting around $2 to $6 per day, providing 100MB to 200MB of data. Additional data can be added for an extra cost.
- Personal: Personal offers similar roaming options, with plans for $2 to $8 per day, depending on the amount of data and the duration of your trip.
Chile
- Entel: Entel offers data roaming plans for U.S. usage that range from $2 to $8 per day for data packages of 50MB to 100MB. Larger data packs or longer plans are available for a higher fee.
- Movistar: Similar to other operators, Movistar’s data roaming plans typically cost around $2.50 to $7 per day for small data allowances. You can also purchase additional data at higher rates.
- Claro: Claro’s international roaming offers daily plans starting at around $2.50 for small data packages. Prices can go up depending on the amount of data and the duration of the plan.
3. Unlimited data roaming (Daily Fee)
Some South American operators offer unlimited data roaming options for a fixed daily fee, usually ranging from $5 to $15 per day. These may come with certain restrictions on speed after a set amount of high-speed data is used (such as 1GB).
For example:
- Claro (Brazil): Offers a daily data plan for unlimited usage, but speeds might be reduced after a certain amount of data is consumed.
- Vivo (Brazil): Provides unlimited data with speed throttling after a certain threshold.
