Roger's roaming and travel packs with an iPhone - getting ripped off - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

OldTivoUser · 2012-02-23, 01:49 PM

On a recent trip to Barbados, I told my wife as we landed and before she turned on her phone, immediately go in and turn off all roaming. She did - we were still hit with 460KB at a $13.80. I got a 2MB plan for $15 for the day we arrived - my bill clearly shows 1665KB used, but the Roger's rep said there is another 2MB I cannot see and that took the $15 up and this is additional and cost $45. (Is that right???) I kept track of every KB and turned off data roaming when I got to the hotel that had wifi, I'm positive I didn't go over 2MB - but what can I do? I still got dinged for another $41 in charges after that too. Obviously - if the Barbados carrier got it, my phone connected while I told it not too - how the hell can I control that??? (I do know how to use the phone, I had both Cellular data off and Data roaming off. I feel like I can't even use my iPhones on trips anymore. It's like they have a program to print money - and I have no way to disprove what they say. The thing is - the iPhone is so useful when you get a destination you haven't been and you need info! Do others have this happen? What do you do? The Roger's reps are not doing anything to help as they see it billed and that's the value.

I'm even wondering if a different carrier would be better. My wife and I spent a total of $6.2K in cell charges in 2011 for two iPhone not including upgrades. Insane...

vmpv · 2012-02-23, 05:43 PM

Won't help your phone problems any, but I bought an Ipod Touch to use at wi-fi locations while traveling abroad. Some hotels have pretty brutal wi-fi service however but I usually manage to struggle through.

whitbyterry · 2012-02-23, 07:05 PM

If you have data roaming off before you leave, and there is no reason not to, there should be no data charges. However, it seems a common report that the iPhone data tracking stats are wrong and unreliable. There is really no way to buy 2MB and use exactly 2MB.

notsure · 2012-02-23, 08:27 PM

First, iOS has a setting that lets you automatically turn off data if you are "roaming".[Settings -> General -> Data Roaming OFF]

Second, while it may be a tad late for you now, you may want to consider paying full price for an unlocked phone upfront. Then, you are free to buy a SIM in whatever country you travel to (US, Mexico, European countries... etc.) for a fraction of what your current provider charges for roaming.

OldTivoUser · 2012-02-24, 05:39 PM

Yes - I had data roaming off. Like I said - I had it on initially when I arrived so I could check email to see where we were supposed to go. Then when I got to the hotel, I turned data roaming off. The thing is - for whatever reason, it seems to come back on. At one point I was on wifi and then I saw 3g and I checked and it was on again. I never turned it, either some app did or something else happened.

It just kills me that they charge $30 a MB and an iPhone can use data so quickly. I generally try to shut down all apps and turn off locations services and notifications, etc. before I leave. But, it's easy to miss something - and, my wife is not tech savvy like me. My mom? My god, she would owe a fortune not knowing what to do.

I also used to use an unlocked version 3 a few years ago in the US, but it was such a pain. People call or text and it doesn't reach you. There's just no simple, reasonably priced alternative. It's designed to generate cash flow, and I'm sure Rogers has hundreds of reps dealing with travel pack and roaming charges disputes. But, it's worth it for them - it's a lot of money. I don't mind paying extra for this convenience, but to have it at a few thousand dollars a year?!

whitbyterry · 2012-02-24, 07:43 PM

I travel to the US regularly and I have never noticed my 3G data kick in when I have my Data Roaming set to "off". I would watch this the next time you are away and, if that is happening, I would call Apple Support and report it. Maybe there is a bug that affect some devices.

majortom · 2012-02-24, 09:52 PM

Prior to travelling, maybe save a backup. Then wipe the device clean with a restore to ensure the device is running only native / stock applications. When you return home put ur backup back on the device to get your favorite applications back on the device??

Would that help avoid some he said / she said?

Just think, what would you do if you made 60 Mil??

OldTivoUser · 2012-02-24, 10:32 PM

Majortom - not a bad idea. Just a pain adding the email accounts I have.

Regarding the data roaming - I've only noticed it happen once. Too bad it happened to be in Barbados where it's over $30 a MB.

majortom · 2012-02-24, 10:59 PM

Here's another thought. Less of a pain.
Ensure no applications are running in the background prior to travelling.
From the home screen double tap the HOME button.
You should see a list of Applications in the background that have accumulated over time
shown at the bottom. Tap and hold one of them for a second or two, The red delete
button should be activated on each one now. Tap the red spot for each one, sliding across the bottom should reveal more. Keep tapping them until they are all "Closed".
This just closes them out from running in the background, doesn't delete anything.

These have accumulated over time, as each time ya pressed the home button while running something it got minimised. Like flipping thru the taskbar, Akin to closing unused open windows in Windows. Who knows, might even help ya reduce your dropped calls and such to do that once in a while.

I just did this on mine and got rid of at least 40 tasks.
Ya might say effectively turning it back in to a phone waiting to be a computer,
rather than a computer waiting to be a phone

JamesK · 2012-02-25, 03:58 PM

I just checked my bill and there are no data charges for when I was in the U.S. last month. However, I have my phone configured to not allow data roaming and just to be sure, I turned off data entirely for the duration of my trip.

john1234 · 2012-05-18, 01:37 PM

Do you have visual voice mail for the iPhone? And did you use it while travelling? As visual voice mail uses data when outside of Canada, from what I've been told.

2012-02-23, 01:49 PM	#1
OldTivoUser Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 40	Roger's roaming and travel packs with an iPhone - getting ripped off On a recent trip to Barbados, I told my wife as we landed and before she turned on her phone, immediately go in and turn off all roaming. She did - we were still hit with 460KB at a $13.80. I got a 2MB plan for $15 for the day we arrived - my bill clearly shows 1665KB used, but the Roger's rep said there is another 2MB I cannot see and that took the $15 up and this is additional and cost $45. (Is that right???) I kept track of every KB and turned off data roaming when I got to the hotel that had wifi, I'm positive I didn't go over 2MB - but what can I do? I still got dinged for another $41 in charges after that too. Obviously - if the Barbados carrier got it, my phone connected while I told it not too - how the hell can I control that??? (I do know how to use the phone, I had both Cellular data off and Data roaming off. I feel like I can't even use my iPhones on trips anymore. It's like they have a program to print money - and I have no way to disprove what they say. The thing is - the iPhone is so useful when you get a destination you haven't been and you need info! Do others have this happen? What do you do? The Roger's reps are not doing anything to help as they see it billed and that's the value. I'm even wondering if a different carrier would be better. My wife and I spent a total of $6.2K in cell charges in 2011 for two iPhone not including upgrades. Insane...

2012-02-23, 08:27 PM	#4
notsure Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON; OTA, XBMC, ATV Posts: 1,606	notsure First, iOS has a setting that lets you automatically turn off data if you are "roaming".[Settings -> General -> Data Roaming OFF] Second, while it may be a tad late for you now, you may want to consider paying full price for an unlocked phone upfront. Then, you are free to buy a SIM in whatever country you travel to (US, Mexico, European countries... etc.) for a fraction of what your current provider charges for roaming.

2012-02-24, 09:52 PM	#7
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,564	Prior to travelling, maybe save a backup. Then wipe the device clean with a restore to ensure the device is running only native / stock applications. When you return home put ur backup back on the device to get your favorite applications back on the device?? Would that help avoid some he said / she said? Just think, what would you do if you made 60 Mil?? __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

2012-02-24, 10:59 PM	#9
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,564	Here's another thought. Less of a pain. Ensure no applications are running in the background prior to travelling. From the home screen double tap the HOME button. You should see a list of Applications in the background that have accumulated over time shown at the bottom. Tap and hold one of them for a second or two, The red delete button should be activated on each one now. Tap the red spot for each one, sliding across the bottom should reveal more. Keep tapping them until they are all "Closed". This just closes them out from running in the background, doesn't delete anything. These have accumulated over time, as each time ya pressed the home button while running something it got minimised. Like flipping thru the taskbar, Akin to closing unused open windows in Windows. Who knows, might even help ya reduce your dropped calls and such to do that once in a while. I just did this on mine and got rid of at least 40 tasks. Ya might say effectively turning it back in to a phone waiting to be a computer, rather than a computer waiting to be a phone __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2012-02-23, 05:43 PM	#2
vmpv Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Whitby, Ont. Posts: 756	Won't help your phone problems any, but I bought an Ipod Touch to use at wi-fi locations while traveling abroad. Some hotels have pretty brutal wi-fi service however but I usually manage to struggle through.

2012-02-23, 07:05 PM	#3
whitbyterry Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Whitby, Ontario (Rogers Cable), LG 42PC3D, 8642HD Posts: 514	If you have data roaming off before you leave, and there is no reason not to, there should be no data charges. However, it seems a common report that the iPhone data tracking stats are wrong and unreliable. There is really no way to buy 2MB and use exactly 2MB.

2012-02-24, 05:39 PM	#5
OldTivoUser Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 40	Yes - I had data roaming off. Like I said - I had it on initially when I arrived so I could check email to see where we were supposed to go. Then when I got to the hotel, I turned data roaming off. The thing is - for whatever reason, it seems to come back on. At one point I was on wifi and then I saw 3g and I checked and it was on again. I never turned it, either some app did or something else happened. It just kills me that they charge $30 a MB and an iPhone can use data so quickly. I generally try to shut down all apps and turn off locations services and notifications, etc. before I leave. But, it's easy to miss something - and, my wife is not tech savvy like me. My mom? My god, she would owe a fortune not knowing what to do. I also used to use an unlocked version 3 a few years ago in the US, but it was such a pain. People call or text and it doesn't reach you. There's just no simple, reasonably priced alternative. It's designed to generate cash flow, and I'm sure Rogers has hundreds of reps dealing with travel pack and roaming charges disputes. But, it's worth it for them - it's a lot of money. I don't mind paying extra for this convenience, but to have it at a few thousand dollars a year?!

2012-02-24, 07:43 PM	#6
whitbyterry Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Whitby, Ontario (Rogers Cable), LG 42PC3D, 8642HD Posts: 514	I travel to the US regularly and I have never noticed my 3G data kick in when I have my Data Roaming set to "off". I would watch this the next time you are away and, if that is happening, I would call Apple Support and report it. Maybe there is a bug that affect some devices.

2012-02-24, 10:32 PM	#8
OldTivoUser Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 40	Majortom - not a bad idea. Just a pain adding the email accounts I have. Regarding the data roaming - I've only noticed it happen once. Too bad it happened to be in Barbados where it's over $30 a MB.

2012-02-25, 03:58 PM	#10
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,044	I just checked my bill and there are no data charges for when I was in the U.S. last month. However, I have my phone configured to not allow data roaming and just to be sure, I turned off data entirely for the duration of my trip.

2012-05-18, 01:37 PM	#11
john1234 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 23	Do you have visual voice mail for the iPhone? And did you use it while travelling? As visual voice mail uses data when outside of Canada, from what I've been told.