Roam with a little piece of home. Global Roaming with your telco vs. local SIM cards.

In an era of international travel, staying connected is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Whether for business or leisure, being able to connect with friends, contacts, and even just Google Maps is crucial. But are you better off getting a local sim with a local provider, or opting to travel with your telco from home? 

In this article, we go through the pros and cons and discuss some important factors to keep in mind.

Pro: Roaming with your existing telco

One of the most significant advantages of using your existing telco for global roaming is the convenience it offers. With global roaming, there's no need to hunt for a local provider upon arrival in a foreign country. Instead, you can rely on the familiarity of your own provider, the mobile app and a single bill. This removes the need to deal with local vendors, comparing local plans, and dealing with language barriers.

Moreover, using your existing telco means you retain your phone number, contacts, and settings, ensuring a seamless transition between your home network and international roaming. This continuity in service not only simplifies communication but also provides peace of mind, knowing that you're reachable to friends, family, and colleagues without interruption.

Con: You may miss out on local deals

Depending on which country you’re travelling to, you may find the local rates and pricing is a lot less than what you pay in your home country. That said, there may be hidden costs (like taxes) that are unexpected, and given the Australian Telco industry is so highly regulated - you always have recourse for retrospective action if you think you’ve been overcharged - whereas you will not have these protections in other countries.

Pro: Potentially a more reliable service

Reliability and quality of service are paramount when it comes to staying connected while abroad. While local SIM cards may offer competitive rates, they often come with caveats such as limited coverage, network congestion, or slower data speeds, particularly in remote or tourist-heavy areas.

By using your existing telco for global roaming, you leverage the infrastructure and partnerships established by your provider, ensuring consistent connectivity across multiple destinations. Major telecom companies have roaming agreements with international partners, granting access to robust networks and prioritised services for their subscribers. This translates to reliable coverage, faster data speeds, and fewer dropped calls, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Summing it all up

While a lot of articles focus on the cost-savings of local sims, and sure that is a factor, there are other considerations to keep in mind. 

Circles Life now offers both daily and monthly roaming products called CirclesRoam. For more information, head to our Global Data Roaming page.