Sometimes you may ask yourself: What is roaming anyway, and why does it suddenly become so important as soon as you leave your home country? Quite simply, roaming, or data roaming, is your global internet buddy that connects you to the mobile network even when you're traveling abroad.
When you upload photos, send messages, or search for the nearest café online, look for a small R or Roam at the edge of the display. This shows you that your roaming is active – although it's important to note that this is not displayed on every device.
How do I turn roaming on or off correctly?
Whether you're on a business trip or relaxing on the beach, being able to control roaming is invaluable. You can turn it on or off with just a few clicks, giving you full control over your connection and your costs.
Roaming control overview:
Switch on: If you need mobile Internet abroad, activate roaming in your smartphone settings.
Switch off: If you want to avoid costs or don't need the internet at the moment, switch it off or activate airplane mode.
This protects you from high charges, especially outside the EU. Ideal if you only use Wi-Fi when traveling. This allows you to decide when your cell phone connects to a foreign network.
Quick check for proper functionality:
After switching on, briefly test the browser or a messenger message.
Depending on your device, the small R or Roam should appear at the edge of the display after activation. If this does not appear, you can also quickly check your settings to see if roaming is enabled.
Step-by-step instructions:
Please note: settings may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer
1. Open Settings
2. Tap Mobile Network (iPhone) or Network & Internet or Connections (Android)
3. Open Data Options (iPhone) or Mobile Network (Android)
4. Enable or disable data roaming and confirm any prompts
5. Optional: Under Network selection, leave automatic selection enabled so that the device connects to the partner network, or set the preferred network type to 4G/5G to ensure stable Internet connection
When is the right time to turn data roaming on and off?
The timing and your chosen tariff or the prevailing conditions determine whether you can surf the Internet without any worries or end up with an unpleasant bill.
Before your trip: Check which countries are included in your tariff or whether a stay abroad is covered. How much data volume do you have available and what conditions apply in the respective country?
Before crossing the border: Consider whether you want to leave roaming switched off for the time being or activate it immediately for a fast connection to the mobile network.
At the border: For non-EU countries, which are often not included in the tariff, it is worth deactivating it beforehand.
During your trip: Only activate it when you really need it.
This allows you to remain flexible, protects you from unwanted costs, and ensures you only pay for what you actually use.
Our tip: Check the international packages and tariffs in advance to find the roaming tariffs that suit your trip and find out about the relevant roaming packages from TalkTalk. Depending on the country, you may want to consider surfing packs. This will help you keep your costs under control.
Data roaming – what is the TalkTalk advantage?
TalkTalk has clear rules and full transparency. If you want to turn off data roaming, you can do so at any time. Once you turn it on, you can rely on fair prices and flexible options.
Best of all, you decide how much data volume you want to book.
TalkTalk's range of offers also includes cell phone subscriptions with limited and unlimited international options.
As a Swiss customer abroad: What do you need to know about roaming?
Switzerland is not part of the EU, so the EU principle of "roam like at home" does not automatically apply to you. With the right setup, you can still surf the web with peace of mind, transparency, predictability, and no surprises.
When using roaming services abroad, it is important to be aware of possible additional costs and risks. Here is a brief summary of the most important points, including potential risks:
Country-specific conditions: As these apply, check the zone, price per MB, and package content in advance. In EU and EEA countries, you do not automatically use your domestic tariff. Prices and services therefore depend on your international package or TalkTalk tariff. You can also book a Data Booster for more data volume.
Targeted control: Consciously control network selection and data roaming, as your cell phone may connect to a foreign network in border regions.
Fair use rules and volume limits for individual options must be observed.
eSIM is a practical option if you want to switch quickly and without a physical SIM card.
Device compatibility: Check whether your device is equipped for 4G/LTE or 5G to ensure stable mobile Internet connectivity.
That's why it's a good idea to check exactly which roaming package you have booked and what conditions and areas of coverage your tariff or option includes before each trip.
Good to know:
Find out in advance whether your cell phone is eSIM-compatible. In addition, more and more countries are switching off their 3G networks, which makes device compatibility very important.
FAQ on "What is roaming?"
How can I tell if data roaming is on?
You can see whether your data roaming is active directly on your smartphone: a small "R" or the word "Roam" appears next to the signal strength. In the settings under "Mobile network" or "Connections," you will also find the switch that shows the current status. If you are unsure, it is worth taking a quick look so that you are immediately in the picture and do not incur unnecessary costs.
What happens if I forget to turn it off?
If you accidentally leave data roaming on, your cell phone may automatically connect to a mobile network abroad and use data. This can quickly become expensive if you don't have a data limit or tariff, as each MB of data used is charged individually. Apps running in the background are real data guzzlers.
What roaming offers does TalkTalk have for abroad?
TalkTalk offers you various options so that you can surf flexibly and cost-effectively abroad:
International packages and rates or cell phone subscriptions: Control roaming costs and make them predictable.
Data Booster: Additional data volume that you can quickly add as needed.
eSIM solutions: For compatible devices, allowing you to access foreign networks without a physical SIM card.
You can find more articles about landlines, mobile phones, and your home network on our TalkTalk blog.
