roaming

AT&T adds new international roaming plans

AT&T today announced new international roaming plans that will go into effect tomorrow. The Europe and Rest of World options will join the Canada and Mexico plans that the carrier announced last June.

For each region, customers can choose one of three packages that delivers a set amount of minutes for a flat monthly rate. Of course, going over your allotment will result in hefty overage fees and exact coverage will vary by country. Also, keep in mind you'll need a quad-band handset that supports the 900 and 1800 GSM networks that are used outside the United … Read more

International data roaming for $20 a MB! Why?

QUITO, Ecuador--I received the most hilarious text message Verizon Wireless has ever sent me upon landing at the airport here in Ecuador's capital. When I turned on my phone while taxiing to the gate, an automated message from my carrier informed me that my beloved unlimited data plan no longer applies in the Southern Hemisphere (it doesn't work standing directly on top of the equator either, it turns out).

Much to the contrary, in fact, calls home could cost me as much as $2.89 per minute; texts are 50 cents each (receiving texts, though, is actually a bargain at a nickel each); and if I manage the patience for Quito's 1X CDMA wireless data network, Verizon will reward me by charging up to $20.48 per megabyte.… Read more

Verizon Galaxy S3 'world phone' coming. But when?

Readers keep asking me for an update. When's Verizon going to make its Samsung Galaxy S3 phones capable of global roaming, as I wrote about in an earlier column. Bad news: Verizon's still not saying when, though it promises the capability will still come.

Let's go back to what I was told by Verizon in June, from my column about using the Galaxy S3 to roam both within and outside the U.S.:

The Verizon model of the Galaxy S3 will be global ready for GSM roaming after a software update that will … Read more

Is Google headed toward an Android Nexus PC?

Google's Android operating system for mobile devices has gained significant traction in the market. Will Google follow this success up by pushing the OS into more sophisticated computing devices? Or will it use its browser based-OS Chrome to take on Apple and Microsoft in the PC software market?

These are the questions I tackle in this edition of Ask Maggie. I also offer some perspective on why it's still important to choose a wireless based on network performance and reliability.

Googles big strategic decision: Android or Chrome

Dear Maggie, I was at Google I/O this year, and … Read more

Is Verizon 'shaking down' customers with family plan?

Verizon Wireless' new family share plan has gotten lots of knickers in knots. But is the new plan really as bad as some people fear it is for consumers?

Last week, Verizon's new family share plans went into effect for the carrier's new customers. The plans give subscribers unlimited voice and text messaging and allow people to share buckets of data between different people on the same share plan and among multiple devices on the same plan. But the plans have also caused a lot of confusion -- and outraged many existing Verizon customers.

In this edition of … Read more

Verizon CTO: 4G LTE international roaming is coming

Global roaming is coming to Verizon Wireless 4G LTE devices, but subscribers shouldn't expect to be able to use those devices on other U.S. carrier LTE networks, according to Verizon Communications chief technology officer.

Speaking at a press event at the Telecommunications Industry Association event here today, Tony Melone, Verizon's chief technology officer, said that Verizon Wireless will eventually offer global roaming for its 4G LTE smartphones, tablets and network cards for both 3G HSPA networks as well as other 4G LTE networks operating overseas. But he gave no indication that Verizon would alter its radio technology … Read more

Verizon to include global roaming on Galaxy S III

Word on the street is that international travelers using Verizon Wireless might be able to talk on their Samsung Galaxy S III no matter what country they're in.

According to PhoneScoop, Verizon confirmed this rumor. Here's what PhoneScoop says:

Verizon Wireless confirmed to Phone Scoop in an email that its variant of the Samsung Galaxy S III will eventually be able to roam onto the 2G/3G networks of overseas network operators. The capability won't be available at launch, but will be enabled down the line through a software update. Verizon didn't say when that update … Read more

Vacationing abroad this summer? Keep iPhone charges in check

Summer is here. And for lots of people that means it's time for a vacation abroad. So what should you do about your smartphone to ensure you don't get surprised with a massive phone bill upon your return?

If you're planning to leave the U.S., you might want to consider taking a few precautions before you leave to make sure you don't end up spending more on your phone bill than you spent on your plane ticket.

You could rent or borrow a phone for your trip with local service in the country or countries … Read more

Your vote could change Facebook's privacy policy

It's time to vote on Facebook policy, expect changes in Motorola, and give thanks in five words:

Within the coming days, expect the chance to vote on Facebook's privacy policy. Facebook recently made an amendment stating that if it announces a policy change and 7,000 users write comments on that announcement post, then Facebook has to put it up to a world-wide vote. Activists from the website our-policy.org encouraged people to post comments on a recent change, and it worked: more than 47,000 comments poured in, so its expected Facebook will open the change to … Read more