Tmobile USA customer roaming while in Germany

[greatgoogly]

I'm leaving for Germany next week for a 3 week stay. I am planning on adding the $19.99 internet email Blackberry add on for my 9700. I know at one point if you added that plan you would be able to use all the Blackberry Data goodies and not get wacked at the ankle grabbing $15MB rate. I am also aware that this may very well have changed and the data is now separated from the email, and non Email data (Google maps, web browsing, etc.) is being charged at $15 per MB.
Has anyone been over and roaming on Tmobile Germany in the last few weeks and if so what were the results? I'm wondering if perhaps things like Blackberry Maps, and web browsing with the native Blackberry browser (not Opera, Bolt, etc.) are subject to the data charges, or if maybe they still realistically fly under the radar. I know what the official answer is, just checking if anyone has had any real world experiences in the last few weeks.

[mandony]

The TM blurb says:
"BlackBerry Unlimited International E-mail
Send and receive unlimited e-mail while you travel for one low monthly fee. You must be using a carrier that provides GPRS Internet service to send or receive e-mail. Voice calls are billed at standard international rates."

Most people get a local SIM for phone service outside the US. Be sure to unlock your phone before you leave. The unlock code should will be no charge through TM.

[Phlazm]

I used mine late last year. Activated the international plane for phone, and the email plan (which they will pro-rate). It worked well but be aware that the email plan gives you just that, email but no data. BBs seem to still use data anyway so I called and they got rid of $20 or so in odd kilobyte charges for me. Texts will still cost, incoming more than outgoing. Coverage was fun, UMA was awesome! I turned off the antenna and used hotel wifi to call everyone back home. Just make sure you turn off data when roaming to limit extra charges. If you are going to be there for a long time I do recommend a SIM chip from another company.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[greatgoogly]

I am now currently in Germany, where I have been for the last 2 days. I have the $19.99 International email turned on. On My-Tmobile I'm seeing data showing for the period in both "in network" and "roaming". I'm seeing roaming data for periods when I've been only connected to UMA (Mobile Network unchecked). I called T-Mobile customer service and got told that although he currently didn't see any billable roaming data on my account, that it is now T-Mobiles policy to bill as international calls UMA calls made from abroad back to the states and also to bill for all data even when only connected to Wifi. I'm thinking (hoping) he was just misinformed or poorly trained. It would seem to be a real boneheaded move to start billing people for data when connected to a wifi network. I know technically they could do it by looking at the IP address when connected via UMA. I'll call back over the next few days and see if the story changes or if billable roaming data shows up.

[barbarianthemadserb]

I too am getting ready for a trip to Europe next Tuesday and have added the 19.99 email plan. I was then told that there would be NO data charges when going thru wifi and just to make sure to turn off data (but leave wifi on of course).

[ralfyguy]

There should not be any roaming charges for data at all. That's what you pay the $19.99 for. I have been in Germany before and I didn't get a specific plan for that, and used the web over there, which resulted in some significant data charges. But why get that $19.99 add on if you still get chrged for international roaming data? That would be paying double.

[K Bear]

Originally Posted by ralfyguy

There should not be any roaming charges for data at all. That's what you pay the $19.99 for. I have been in Germany before and I didn't get a specific plan for that, and used the web over there, which resulted in some significant data charges. But why get that $19.99 add on if you still get chrged for international roaming data? That would be paying double.

You are paying $19.99 for International E-mail only, not International Data.

[greatgoogly]

Originally Posted by K Bear

You are paying $19.99 for International E-mail only, not International Data.

Yes I understand that, but IMHO I shouldn't be charged for data when I'm connected via WiFi with the "Mobile Network" option unchecked. If they are charging for data via wifi then T-Mobile is actually worse than ATT and the other US carriers. The whole idea of "data roaming" is that T-Mobile in the US is being charged by the carrier I'm roaming on. If I'm not connected to a roaming carrier's towers and transferring data over said roaming network, then I shouldn't be charged for the data!