What Are Data Roaming Charges? A Guide

By David Tait

Editorial Manager

Connectivity is a must in this day and age, and making sure that we can still get in touch with our loved ones while abroad is vital. In this article, we take a dive into data roaming, potential charges, and what you can do to get the best internet connection while you are away from home.

What Is Data Roaming?

Data roaming refers to when you use your mobile or broadband service abroad or otherwise out of its home range. Usually, you will need to enable roaming within the settings of your device to ensure that it still fully connects, and you can also potentially be subject to additional charges.

While you may be used to your standard mobile data plan at home, many mobile and broadband companies impose limitations on how long you can be abroad until roaming charges start applying. These charges can range from a few cents to hundreds of euros for the more data-hungry amongst us.

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What Are My Roaming Options?

The first thing that you should do is to check the details of your contract or payment plan. Within its terms, you should be able to find exactly what you can use abroad, followed by the additional costs you might be to pay for going over the limit. If you feel that your plan's content may not be sufficient, or that you will be using data abroad for some time, then you may want to consider one of the following options:

1. Purchase a data packet/bundle to extend your allowance, and use your device as a hotspot
2. Buy a PAYG SIM card in your destination country
3. Get an eSIM
4. Consider getting a mobile broadband device if several devices will need WiFi access
5. If you only need a single device such as a laptop to connect, check what dongles are compatible with your holiday location

What Is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a relatively new technology where you can purchase a data roaming plan without having to install a physical SIM. An eSIM is an embedded SIM meaning all you need to do is scan a QR code and you'll be able to access a data plan in the country you're travelling really easily.

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Do I Need an International SIM for Europe?

Within the EU, you will always pay the same rates for your calls and data as you would in Ireland. This is called Roam Like at Home (RLAH) and it means that you will pay no more than your rates at home for calls, texts and data while abroad. The only drawback is you can't use unlimited data with your plan and you have an upper limit to your data usage.

If you're travelling to the UK however, you need to be a bit more careful. Since the UK has left the European Union, they no longer benefit from RLAH. Before you travel to the UK, you should double check your provider's rates just to make sure you don't get caught out!

Can I Purchase a Local Sim?

If you are staying abroad for a long holiday, it may be appropriate to purchase a PAYG SIM from the country of your destination. If you do, you avoid incurring roaming charges, and guarantee that your phone will connect to the local network. That isn’t to say that this method is without its pros and cons however, a few examples of which are:

• Guaranteed connection in your host country
• Frees up your home SIM
• The operator of your new SIM may not speak your language
• Some service providers require home-address matching the SIM's country

What About Roaming with Dongle WiFi?

Dongles traditionally come in the form of a plug-in device, similar to a USB stick. It usually works like a mobile broadband router, connecting to the mobile network instead of a WiFi one. While this is good for portability and storage, it does mean that a broadband connection is only possible for the device that it is plugged into, as opposed to sharing a WiFi connection like with mobile hotspots and mobile broadband.

Dongles also tend to come with an open SIM capacity, meaning that you can use the data of almost any SIM that you chose. This functionality allows you to use your mobile data for your laptop or tablet, or alternatively purchase a SIM that is dedicated to powering your device's connection, leaving your personal mobile SIM data untouched.

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Which Data Roaming Option Is Best for Me?

So, now we know our options, but which one should you choose? Let’s break down the options we have discussed in simple terms, and get you on your way to browsing without worry from abroad.

1. Business Trips? 
   Dongle WiFi is a great option if you need to work from your laptop while abroad. Your employer may also be able to pay for a dedicated SIM, enabling you to work, save, and stay connected without having to pay for anything yourself.
2. Short Holiday? 
   For quick trips abroad, your standard mobile allowances should be sufficient. Just remember to check your limits, enable roaming and avoid data-heavy things such as streaming, social media and video calling.
3. Long Holiday? 
   For longer holidays, purchasing a SIM from your host country is the best way forward. This enables you to roam without worry, and save your main SIM card allowance for the important stuff.
4. Group Holiday? 
   Whether you are heading to Ibiza with friends, or on a slightly less glamorous caravan holiday at home, mobile broadband is your best option here. Allowing many people to access one WiFi connection saves having to juggle SIM cards while bringing broadband with you wherever you go.

How Do I Enable Data Roaming on My Mobile Device?

The most basic step that you should take before roaming abroad. Enabling data roaming allows you to connect to a network outside of your device's home range. Without doing this, you will not be able to access data services such as checking emails, WhatsApp calls or streaming. Not to worry though, you can enable data roaming in a few simple steps:

For Apple Devices

1. Open settings
2. Select ‘Cellular/Mobile Data’
3. Within the cellular/mobile data section, toggle data roaming so that it is in the ‘on’ position

For Android Devices

1. Open settings on your SIM device (Mobile, mobile broadband modem, dongle etc)
2. Select ‘Network & Internet’
3. Select ‘Mobile Network’
4. Enable roaming
5. If you receive any pop-up asking for a confirmation of your actions, click ‘confirm changes’

You should now be able to access data services through local compatible networks. For most holiday-goers, this is usually sufficient, but again, make sure that you are aware of your device roaming charges and limitations before leaving your home region.

How Can I Use My Device as a Mobile Hotspot?

Turning your device into a mobile hotspot allows you to share your mobile network connection with other devices. This is a great little trick if you need to connect your tablet or laptop to the web, or if you need to borrow some data from a friend.

How Do I Set Up an iPhone Mobile Hotspot?

1. Click ‘Settings’
2. Select ‘Personal Hotspot’
3. ‘Allow others to join’ should appear, select this
4. Click ‘Wi-Fi Password’ to establish or change a password for your network

How Do I Set Up an Android Mobile Hotspot?

1. Select ‘Settings’
2. Click ‘Connections’
3. Tap on ‘Mobile Hotspot and Tethering’
4. Turn the mobile hotspot on
5. Select ‘Mobile Hotspot’ once more, followed by ‘Configure’ to establish a secure password.

Other devices should now be able to see your mobile hotspot in the ‘available networks’ screen and connect after inputting the password you have created.

Remember to top up before you leave! Always ensure you have enough credit before heading abroad. Alternatively, it may be worth buying an additional data pack to extend your allowance and ensure that you don’t run out of texts, minutes or data.

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How Does Roaming with Mobile Broadband Work?

Mobile broadband is an increasingly popular method of accessing strong WiFi signals away from home. Operating on similar principles to mobile phones and mobile hotspots, a mobile broadband device picks up 3G, 4G and 5G signals, and re-emits them as WiFi signals, allowing multiple devices to connect.

Mobile broadband devices operate through an internal SIM card. While some models only allow you to use the device using its in-built SIM, others grant their users the freedom to insert their own SIM cards, enabling much greater freedom in terms of accessing the internet and changing service providers.

Which Broadband Providers Offer Mobile Broadband?

Though it is possible to purchase a mobile broadband device from independent retailers, there are currently three broadband suppliers in Ireland that also offer these devices. These are Eir, Three and Vodafone. Let’s take a look at the cheapest mobile broadband packages currently available with each supplier.

Pricing correct at time of publication 21/09/2022

To find out what your data roaming charges will be, head over to the respective Eir, Vodafone and Three website roaming sections, and read your policy documentation.