Roaming: What It Is, What It’s For, and How to Activate It

Global connectivity has become an essential part of our daily lives. Whether for business or leisure, uninterrupted access to the Internet is essential for communicating, browsing and managing personal and professional activities. "data roaming" plays a crucial role in this context, allowing users to use mobile network services even outside the coverage of their national operator.

It is therefore an indispensable service for anyone who wants to stay in touch with friends and family or post photos and videos during a trip. All this, usually, without additional costs, depending on where we are. But there are exceptions.

With the evolution of European regulations, such as the update of the "Roam Like At Home" regulation in 2025, users can now benefit from an increase in available Giga and a reduction in costs for data traffic when roaming within the European Union. But let’s go step by step and try to give a concrete definition of roaming and all the useful instructions to activate and deactivate it on your smartphone.

What is data roaming and what does it mean

The term "roaming" comes from the English "to roam", which means "to wander" or "to move". In telecommunications, roaming refers to the ability of a mobile device to connect to networks other than that of its main operator, allowing the user to make calls, send messages and use mobile data even when outside the national coverage area.

"Data roaming" specifically concerns the use of mobile internet services, such as web browsing, sending emails or using online applications, while connected to a network other than that of your operator. This service is made possible thanks to commercial agreements between operators in different countries, which allow customers to use local network infrastructures when they are abroad.

It is important to note that, although roaming allows for continuity of service, the conditions and costs may vary depending on the regulations in force and agreements between operators. As anticipated, within the European Union, thanks to the "Roam Like At Home" regulation, users can use their national tariff plan at no additional cost, within certain limits. However, outside the EU, tariffs can be significantly higher, making a thorough understanding of how data roaming works essential.

How does roaming work?

The operation of roaming is based, as mentioned, on a series of technical and commercial agreements between telecommunications operators in different countries. When a user moves outside the coverage of their national operator, the mobile device automatically searches for available networks in the new geographical area. Through a process called "network selection", the device connects to a partner network with which its operator has a roaming agreement.

Once the connection is established, the device communicates with the host network, which recognizes the user as a "roamer" and routes traffic (calls, messages, data) to the user’s original operator. This process involves several technical elements.

• User identification: Through the SIM card, the device provides unique information (such as the IMSI - International Mobile Subscriber Identity) that allows the host network to identify the originating operator and the user’s profile.
• Authentication and authorization: The host network communicates with the Home Location Register (HLR) of the originating operator to authenticate the user and verify the services to which he or she is entitled.
• Traffic Routing: Calls and data are routed from the host network to the home operator’s network via an international transport network, ensuring that the user can use the services as if they were in their home network.

From a commercial perspective, operators set wholesale tariffs for the use of their respective networks by roaming customers. These tariffs influence the final costs for users, although regulations such as the European "Roam Like At Home" regulation have significantly reduced roaming surcharges within the EU.

Roaming in non-EU countries works in the same way; what differs are the additional costs involved. Each company has different costs and many of them offer packages. For long trips outside the EU, it is advisable to equip yourself with an international sim such as Blivale or Travelsim.

What is data roaming for

Data roaming is essential to ensure mobile connectivity when you are outside your home country or your operator’s coverage area. Without roaming, users would be limited to using local Wi-Fi networks, which may not always be available, secure or reliable.

It can also be valid during sea voyages, as long as there is mobile network coverage available. The availability of data roaming on sea routes, in fact, depends on the mobile network signal of the operators in the area crossed. In the case of long voyages, coverage may be limited or absent. Furthermore, the costs for roaming at sea are generally very high.

But what are the main concrete uses of data roaming?

• Continuous communication: it allows you to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues via messaging apps, email or VoIP calls, regardless of geographical location.
• Information Access: Use GPS navigation services, consult maps, search for local information or translations, making it easier to travel and interact in unfamiliar environments.
• Professional Management: For professionals on the go, data roaming provides access to business documents, collaboration platforms and productivity tools, ensuring business continuity.
• Entertainment and Services: Provides access to streaming platforms, social media and other online services for entertainment and leisure while traveling.

Do I have to pay for data roaming? What does the law say?

The issue of data roaming costs depends on the geographical area you are in and the regulations in force.

European Union

Let’s recap what we have repeatedly stated for those traveling within the European Union:

Thanks to the "Roam Like At Home" regulation introduced in 2017 and renewed until 2032, users traveling within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) can use their mobile data at no additional cost to the national rate.

However, there are some limitations.

• Fair Use Policy: operators can apply restrictions to the use of roaming if they detect excessive and continuous use abroad compared to consumption at home.
• Mobile data limits: even though EU roaming is free, some unlimited GB plans may apply a maximum cap on data available in roaming.

Outside the European Union

Outside the EU, rates vary based on agreements between operators.

• The cost of roaming can be very high, especially for data browsing.
• Operators offer specific packages for international roaming with discounted rates.
• In some countries, it may be convenient to buy a local SIM or use international eSIM services.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Roaming dati, cos’è, a cosa serve e come si attiva