- Written by Adam Sankey - Mobile Team Lead
- Connect with Adam on LinkedIn
For frequent business travellers, unplanned mobile roaming charges can lead to significant unexpected expense, one of the largest recorded was a £18k roaming from a weekend business trip in Dubai. Here are seven effective strategies to avoid international roaming charges for businesses while safeguarding productivity and security.
Understand international roaming costs and how they arise
International roaming occurs when a device connects to a foreign carrier’s network for calls, texts or data. Business users are often not made aware that small services like background syncing can trigger high fees without users even noticing. Some carriers automatically bill a flat daily rate once any roaming is used which soon adds up.
Compare international roaming strategies and find the best fit
Understanding the trade-offs between cost, convenience, and connectivity is essential when navigating mobile data solutions while abroad. This quick overview compares the most common strategies for managing data usage when traveling internationally, and provides a clear overview of the pros and cons for each. Each strategy is explored in more detail below.
| Strategy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off roaming + use Wi‑Fi | Zero carrier cost, secure via VPN | No cellular calls/text, user dependent |
| eSIM or prepaid local/international SIM | Full data access, lower rates | Requires device unlocked or pre‑planning |
| Switch to a VIP Mobile Tariff | One fixed monthly cost, no overages, no roaming charges | Slightly higher monthly cost |
| Carrier daily roaming package | Convenience of home‑plan usage | Higher cost, daily triggers |
| Virtual roaming platforms (enterprise-grade) | Central control, predictable costs | May incur monthly fees or contractual setup |
1: Turn Off data roaming and use Airplane Mode
Prior to your departure, disable international data roaming via device settings:
- iPhone: Settings → Mobile/Cellular → Data Roaming → toggle off
- Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIM → toggle off roaming
Place phones in Airplane Mode, then manually enable Wi‑Fi as needed. This ensures no accidental roaming occurs but limits you to joining Wi-Fi networks.
IT admins should also disable background sync, auto‑updates, push notifications and app data access via settings to prevent hidden usage
2: Use Wi‑Fi & internet‑based communication
When data roaming is off, you will need to rely entirely on Wi‑Fi for email, conferencing, messaging and calls. You could use tools like WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, or Teams which work over Wi‑Fi and avoid carrier charges. However, Wi‑Fi networks are not always available and can incur charges. It’s important to understand that public Wi‑Fi networks are not always secure.
3: Use local SIM cards
For extended or heavy-use travel you could use a local SIM card. Buying a prepaid SIM in-country provides domestic rates for data, SMS and calls. However, this relies on availability and also requires pre planning.
4: Look at switching your business to a VIP Mobile Tariff
VIP mobile plans are a premium business mobile contract with fixed international roaming charges. They operate on tier 1 UK Networks and are designed for frequent business travellers, teams on the go, and anyone who needs seamless global coverage. Best of all, the fixed monthly cost gives your business peace of mind with no overages, no roaming charges, and no limits.
5: Subscribe to carrier travel or daily roaming plans
Many mobile providers offer flat-rate daily travel plans (Typically costing around £2–£7/day in the EU, or ~$10–15 in the US) if travelling users require full capability. However, on top of this, some providers charge even for additional data usage or calls. To avoid billing surprises you must understand the exact cost and data limits.
6: Pre‑download offline content and maps
Minimise live data usage by downloading maps via Google Maps and offline media from streaming services before departure. This ensures navigation and entertainment can function offline without triggering roaming.
7: Establish a corporate mobile policy & monitoring
Ensure your business establish and enforces a mobile travel policy requiring:
- Data roaming disabled by default
- Use of eSIM or local/international SIM only when needed
- Confirmation of daily roaming opt‑out
Provide employee training materials explaining how to toggle settings, connect via Wi‑Fi, and use corporate tools securely. You can also use mobile‑device‑management (MDM) or expense auditing tools to monitor inbound roaming charges, set spending caps and prevent policy violations.
Taking charge of international roaming charges
To avoid international roaming charges, businesses can combine device‑level controls (turn off roaming, airplane mode, app restrictions) with smart connectivity alternatives such as VIP Mobile Tariffs, local SIMs, eSIM services, travel bundles, or virtual roaming platforms. These things combined with a clear mobile travel policy, secure Wi‑Fi usage, and employee training. By implementing these measures your business will benefit from consistent communications abroad, improved security posture, substantial cost savings by way of predictable monthly mobile bills even when employees are travelling abroad.
