Avoid roaming charges: tips for mobile data abroad
Whether you’re at the beach, in the mountains or on the road: your phone is on holiday with you. Comparis explains roaming charges abroad.
12.06.2024
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1. Check with your mobile company before you leave
Anyone who asks their provider before going on holiday is at a clear advantage. Roaming fees may have fallen in recent years, but don’t underestimate the cost of using your phone abroad.
“Do your homework before you travel."
2. Check your data packs
An international data pack is included in many plans; in some cases it’s even unlimited. Usage within Europe often incurs no roaming fees. For example, this is true for "Blue Mobile M" from Swisscom, "Up Mobile L" from Sunrise and "Europe XL" from Salt. Other plans such as "Swiss Pro" from Wingo offer 2GB of mobile data within EU countries and Western Europe.
Mobile plans including roaming abroad
New providers and subscription models are everywhere at the moment. They grab your attention with better cover and lower rates – especially for new customers – so switching can be worthwhile. Important: read the fine print and compare different providers.
3. Buy a data pack
If your mobile plan doesn’t include data abroad, buy an extra data pack. Most providers make it easy to do this online, through their app or with a phone call. Swisscom and Sunrise sell data packs in what they call the "Cockpit". Access is free even if you’re abroad.
Good to know:
Swiss providers are obliged to set cost limits for roaming. Depending on the company, these are between 100 and 250 francs. If you would like a lower cap, talk to your mobile provider.
4. Turn off data usage
Don’t want to buy additional data packs? Play it safe: take control by turning off mobile data usage in your smartphone settings. Even with mobile data deactivated, you can still go online using wi-fi, which is usually available in hotels, cafes and airports.
Public hotspots
Although free networks are tempting, you should be careful when surfing. Avoid making sensitive transactions on public networks and keep security software up to date.
5. Turn off automatic updates and push notifications
Disable all automatic and background updates on your phone (e.g. push notifications). Some apps update automatically without telling you. This consumes a lot of data. Make sure your apps only update when connected to wi-fi.
Comparis tip
Messaging services such as Whatsapp, Threema and Telegram are popular, but consume a lot of data. Our tip for saving data: go to the settings and disable automatic downloads of photos and videos.
6. Go offline
Some apps work without an internet connection. Google Maps and Spotify have this option, which is very practical when you’re on the go. Download the maps and music you want before you leave home, then use them offline when you need them.
Are you more likely to be using your phone for calls than the internet on your trip? If so, use internet telephony (Voip) for your calls.
7. Buy a local prepaid SIM card
Cheap data packs are usually only valid in the EU and Western Europe. Visitors to other regions are better off with a local SIM card.
E-SIM from our partner Airalo
With the “Airalo” app, you can find an E-SIM for your destination at low cost.
Comparis expert Jean-Claude Frick also recommends a prepaid SIM card for frequent users without unlimited data. Mobile phones increasingly have space for two or even three SIM cards or support E-SIMs. This means you can also be reached via your Swiss number.
“If you can’t use wi-fi abroad and still want to watch your favourite show on your smartphone, it’s best to get a prepaid SIM card abroad. Depending on the provider and country, you can get 10GB for just a few euros.”
This article was first published on 19.06.2018
