International roaming for travel: Myths, truths and alternatives

Name: Conecty: International eSIM
Author: Conecty

International roaming for travel: Myths, truths and alternatives

International roaming has become an essential service when traveling abroad. Maintaining connectivity while away from home has become almost indispensable. However, roaming is often shrouded in confusion regarding its operation and costs.

At Conecty, we invite you to explore everything this service offers and the advantages it provides compared to other options like eSIMs or SIM cards . This way, when you travel, you can choose the technology that best suits your needs without any unexpected bills.

What is international roaming?

International roaming refers to the mobile phone service that allows you to use your mobile device outside your home country. When you travel abroad, you can stay connected to another operator's network in the country you're visiting, thus maintaining your access to calls, text messages, and mobile data.

This functionality is possible thanks to roaming agreements that mobile phone providers establish with each other internationally. This allows you to receive and make calls, send messages, and browse the internet as you normally would in your home country, but with additional roaming charges.

5 Steps to Activate International Roaming from Colombia

Contact your mobile phone provider (Claro, Movistar, Tigo, etc.) in person or online and request activation of the international roaming service.

Provide the necessary information requested by the advisor, such as personal data or activation reason.

Select the roaming plan or package (minutes, GB, SMS or combined).

Confirm the activation and make sure to resolve any additional information you need.

Monitor your consumption during the trip to avoid extra costs on your bill.

Please note… The process may vary slightly between different mobile phone operators in Colombia.

However, if you prefer to avoid the uncertainty and potential headaches associated with roaming, remember that there are alternatives such as eSIM services or Conecty's international SIM card .

Advantages and disadvantages of international roaming

Advantages	Disadvantages
✅Maintain connectivity and access to mobile services during your travels. ✅Be able to make calls, send messages and browse the internet as you would in your country. ✅Having access to applications and services abroad.	❌Higher rates compared to other national service plans. ❌Risk of incurring unexpected charges or surprise bills. ❌Possible slowness or instability of the connection, depending on the local network.

How to optimize the use of international roaming?

To get the most out of international roaming without financial surprises, we recommend following these guidelines:

Find out about your provider's roaming rates and plans.

Consider purchasing a mobile data roaming package.

Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to reduce data consumption.

It constantly monitors your usage and balance during the trip.

Deactivate features that may generate additional charges, such as voice or data roaming.

At the end of the day, what we all want is a reliable and hassle-free solution to stay connected during our travels.

How much does international roaming cost in Colombia?

International roaming remains a viable option for many travelers, although its rates are usually higher than other options such as eSIMs or SIM cards. Some average costs are:

Voice roaming:

Outgoing calls: Between $1,500 - $3,000 COP per minute.
Incoming calls: Between $500 and $1,500 COP per minute.

Data roaming:

Data consumption: Between $10,000 and $20,000 COP per GB.
Data packages: From $50,000 COP for 500MB to $200,000 COP for 3GB.

SMS roaming:

Sending text messages: Around $500 - $1,000 COP per SMS.

It is important to note that according to the Colombian Communications and Regulation Commission (CRC), in 2023 the providers with the most users in this modality were WOM, Movistar and Claro.

These costs may vary depending on your mobile carrier, destination country, and plan. Stay informed about current rates and consider roaming packages or plans before you travel.

Pay attention to this… If you're looking to avoid surprises on your bill and enjoy a more peaceful travel experience, eSIM and SIM Card options offer international connectivity so you can enjoy your trip while staying in touch with your loved ones.

Roaming vs. eSIM/SIM Card: Which is the best option for traveling?

In addition to traditional international roaming, an increasingly popular alternative for staying connected while traveling is the use of eSIMs or SIM cards. Let's look at some of the main differences and benefits between the two:

International roaming

📲Convenience of using your usual number and device.

💲Rates are usually higher than local plans.

🧑‍💻Roaming service activation with a provider is required.

📴Data limits or coverage issues may exist.

eSIM/SIM Card for travel

🌐You can purchase local data plans in the destination country.

🫰They offer cheaper rates than roaming.

📱Easy activation and setup from your smartphone.

🔀Flexibility to change your plan according to your needs.

In short, if you're looking for maximum convenience and don't mind paying a little more, traditional roaming might be the right choice. But if you want to save on connectivity costs and have more control while traveling, eSIMs or SIM cards are emerging as an increasingly attractive alternative.

While traditional roaming has its advantages, more and more travelers are opting for more flexible and economical solutions. Conecty offers eSIM and SIM card alternatives with plans that can perfectly adapt to your travel needs, allowing you to enjoy worry-free global connectivity in over 190 countries.

Now that you have the information, ask questions, plan, and take control of your mobile connectivity so that your next trips abroad are a smooth and surprise-free experience.