Internation Roaming Charges. Final Test!

[marcvalme]

Originally Posted by Mikethaler

On my BB9700 , under connections, under "data services" I can turn that on or off. Below that is "while roaming". I can turn that on or off.
Where do you find the anonymous location data option?

I now run OS6. Was running OS5 on last trip.

I'm not sure if its an OS7 setting, I doubt it since OS7 was not that much of an upgrade. But I go to options/device/location settings/Location Data

[Mikethaler]

Found it! Thanks.
I had noticed that some time ago but forgot about it.
On mine: There is a line that states: "Location Services". You can set it to "Location On" or "Location Off".
My guess is THAT could have been the source of data usage. It never had happened before - and I never have changed that setting in any phone.

[dmk11]

Originally Posted by Mikethaler

I now run OS6. Was running OS5 on last trip.

Maybe it's the OS that changed. This was the first time I traveled overseas after switching to OS6. Or some default settings changed between the OS5 & OS6.

That Location setting is suspect. I've changed both to be "Disabled while Roaming". maybe that was it, although I don't think so.

On my previous trips, if I try to load web/google maps, it would say "no data services" (or something like that). On this last trip, when I try to load web/google maps, it would work (even though APN is turned off). This is why I suspect that I will get data roaming charges because I didn't bother turning off/uninstalling ALL the programs running on the background.

[marcvalme]

Originally Posted by dmk11

Maybe it's the OS that changed. This was the first time I traveled overseas after switching to OS6. Or some default settings changed between the OS5 & OS6.

That Location setting is suspect. I've changed both to be "Disabled while Roaming". maybe that was it, although I don't think so.

On my previous trips, if I try to load web/google maps, it would say "no data services" (or something like that). On this last trip, when I try to load web/google maps, it would work (even though APN is turned off). This is why I suspect that I will get data roaming charges because I didn't bother turning off/uninstalling ALL the programs running on the background.

When do you expect your bill to come in so you can see if you were charged? I wish there were some sort of data sniffer and I can test which app uses what

[Mikethaler]

The problem we all have is: We don't know what the h-ll is running that is slurping up data. There is not any way in the std. BB to track data using apps and no accurate 3rd party apps at all that really work. My wife just got an Android and there seems to be several 3rd party apps. Haven't had a chance to try any of them.
To clarify what I wrote above. Used BB9700 w. OS5 on several intl. trips and only had trouble on the last one in Apr/May. Have not traveled w. OS6.

All the carriers have promised to alert people who are unknowingly using data and running up surprised charges. That doesn't help the user manage data to begin with.

[dmk11]

Originally Posted by marcvalme

When do you expect your bill to come in so you can see if you were charged? I wish there were some sort of data sniffer and I can test which app uses what

I just got my bill this morning. another surprise..
Even though I called in to turn off all internet access when I'm using cell towers, I was still getting roaming charges. These are little charges (37 cents a pop) that happened throughout the day.
I was on transit in Tokyo for ~2-3hours and in that short period of time, I saw 13 0.37 "internet access" charges on my bill - $4.81 total.

I thought that by calling in and turning off internet access on Tmo's server side would prevent data roaming charges, but not so! Even worse than I thought!!

[jeffharris]

I have been an extensive international traveller, and have had devices since the days of Omnipoint in 1998, when the first tri band phone (Ericsson i888) was introduced - with data at 9.6kbs :-D (which turned into Voicestream, which turned into T-Mo). For years, Omnipoint never had the proper billing program for international voice, and, never even got charged a penny for that, until 2001. and then, incoming calls while roaming were 29c, a plan I still get to enjoy.

I've had BES on my Blackberries for as long as I can remember (via a 3rd party service, link2exchange). I also to this day, am on grandfathered voice and data plans stemming back to those Omnipoint days. I NEVER got charged a penny for international data, and i used a LOT, until middle of this year, when I too started to get the little 37c charges peppered throughout the day. It seems to be about $5-10 a day or so - something I can live with. Can't figure out what from, though. From the perusing of the forums I have read, I was like the last person not getting any international roaming charges. Something for sure has changed. I also have tried disabling the APN (which I still use as wap.voicestream.com), and, that didn't help either.

Just my experience.

[marcvalme]

I am actually posting this from my blackberry internationally. If u read the first post of this thread I said I was going to test my blackberry internationally.


I've turned of the apn and have been carefully using data and monitoring my account. So far all the data has registered in my recent data usage but I do not see any charges.

I'm I free an clear or will the charges show up later.

[Mikethaler]

Originally Posted by jeffharris

I have been an extensive international traveller, and have had devices since the days of Omnipoint in 1998, when the first tri band phone (Sony Ericsson i888) was introduced - with data at 9.6kbs :-D (which turned into Voicestream, which turned into T-Mo). For years, Omnipoint never had the proper billing program for international voice, and, never even got charged a penny for that, until 2001. and then, incoming calls while roaming were 29c, a plan I still get to enjoy.
.

Jeff - Your history is same as mine (Omnipoint-VS-TM). I got an Omnipoint line before TM came to Ca. because at the time, PacBell (which became att) was charging $3-$4/min where Omnipoint was charging the 29 cents/min to roam in many countries. (Had a NYC number which I never used domestically. Was on a $20/mo. plan.)
At one point, during the short time VS had the account and about the time TM was taking over - I was not billed for intl. roaming calls, in or out. I think phones at the time only used voice - at least mine did. I even wrote a snail mail letter to Seattle HQ to point this out!! Never got even a courtesy response.
When Omnipoint was operating, they would run full page ads in the NYTimes pointing out how cheap it was to roam overseas! At that time we were paying 45 cents/min. for local daytime calling, 20 cents at nite. The $45/mo. monthly fee only got you a line - no minutes. Shortly thereafter, as "PCS" carriers became live, rates dropped substantially. Rates have been dropping ever since.
I think TM should go back to those old intl. rates - maybe in conjunction with people on high rate plans. This might attract high usage companies who have business users who travel. If nothing else, they could offer better rates on their sister company networks.
I had to give up my 29 cent roaming at some point when I made a plan change.

[dmk11]

Originally Posted by marcvalme

I am actually posting this from my blackberry internationally. If u read the first post of this thread I said I was going to test my blackberry internationally.


I've turned of the apn and have been carefully using data and monitoring my account. So far all the data has registered in my recent data usage but I do not see any charges.

I'm I free an clear or will the charges show up later.

Charges will show up later when you get your bill. Let us know how it goes.

[DannyAves]

Originally Posted by marcvalme

I am actually posting this from my blackberry internationally. If u read the first post of this thread I said I was going to test my blackberry internationally.


I've turned of the apn and have been carefully using data and monitoring my account. So far all the data has registered in my recent data usage but I do not see any charges.

I'm I free an clear or will the charges show up later.

Charges will show up and one mistake on your part and you can easily use $50 in an hour.

I keep telling everyone it is cheaper to get the XCom Global MiFi for under $15 per day and get unlimited 3G data and you can share that data with 5 devices. With unlimited data you do what you want, make and receive phone calls as if you are in the USA, use Google maps anywhere, browse the Internet, stream a movie etc. and it is still less than $15 per day.

[lobbyintx]

tmobile needs an international unlimited data plan. i was using a bb9700 with data turn off; also i am on prepaid so my phone will work in certain countries. tmo prepaid plans are pretty good!!!!!