1

How to avoid excessive roaming

data charges….

17 Slides to save you money!

Apple, Android, Windows Phone & BlackBerry

Presented by a Bango road Warrior.

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What we will cover

• The Problem & Reality..

• Data roaming what to know

• Managing data roaming

• Provider Update Limits & Caps

• Tips for Travellers

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The reality

• Mobile Network Operators – gain significant amounts of incremental profit

when you travel…

• Its easy to incur avoidable high data roaming if you do not think ahead.

• Plan ahead and use the tools that are available to minimise your risk.

• Better still – use WIFI.

• But be careful… Understand what your smartphone is doing..

4

Lots of Things Happen behind the

scenes..

Apps automatically update

Apps background sync

Email gets fetched

ROAMING THINGS TO KNOW

BILL SHOCK!

Smart Phones use a significant amount of BACKGROUND data tasks

Box for example syncs behind the scenes

6.36GB!!!

Smart phone operating systems provide

tools to help manage data consumption…

If you have data

roaming enabled

you will be

consuming data

without knowing it

Unless you set

limits & controls

(Win

do

ws)

5

How to disable Data roaming

• Before you go overseas – make sure you set your phone to

minimise any potential unrequired data roaming..

• Turn OFF data roaming – before you leave the UK

• Use WIFI as primary data source – coffer bars/hotels etc

BASICS

Android Windows BlackBerry

AppList

IOS

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WHAT IF I NEED TO USE DATA WHILST ROAMING?

HOW DO I MINIMISE THE COST?

WHAT CAN I DO?

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Minimizing Data Roaming Charges

1. Turn off background app refresh - Stops apps from updating data in the background

2. Monitor Usage & Set Caps – Android/Windows (IOS – APP)

3. Restrict Apps to WIFI only - enables you to restrict certain apps to WIFI only

4. Turn off Push/Auto Sync - Stops data being pushed to the device

5. Limit Automatic App Updates - Stops apps automatically updating from using Cellular for

updating

6. Make Sure your provider has data caps enables (EU Directive for Bill Shock)

7. NEVER Streaming Music/Video on the go – make sure you know what content is local

and what is in the cloud.. (mistakes happen)

8. Never data roam and tether/personal hotspot your device..

9. Avoid texts as they can be costly – use a OTT client (whatsapp.. for example)

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Disable Background tasks

Ensure Background tasks are disabled - IOS/Android/Window

Support

IOS Android Windows

Only the app which you are using (on the screen) will use data

1

9

BlackBerry

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-

to/wp8/start/use-data-sense-to-track-data-

usag

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-

android/3443819/set-data-usage-limit-on-

android/

Controlling Data

Android

Set Phone Data Limits & Caps

Set up data limits on the device itself….. 2

IOS Download

one of many apps…

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Set Apps to use WIFI Only

• Windows DATA Sense to restrict Apps to WIFI

• Android Settings – Data Usage – select apps to control

• IOS – Settings - Mobile

3 This enables you to control which apps will use cellular data and which only use

WIFI - Important if you want to use some Apps whilst roaming

11

Mail Push/Sync - Settings

• Android

– settings ->accounts & sync -> autosync – (On/Off)

• IOS

– Settings->mail contacts calendars - > Fetch new data (Set limit)

• Windows

– Settings ->email -> Select the account -> Set Frequency

This controls whether mail is pushed to you or whether you fetch it, typically

configurable by email account. You can also control how much you

download. Ie headers only.

4

12

Disable App Auto Updates - Android

By default Android pushes out App updates automatically

Disable this by modifying your settings in the Google Play Stores

5

This has to be done on the Google

Play store itself

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Windows/IOS ..

• Windows Phone – automatically restricts app downloads over 50mb to WIFI.

iOS (See below)

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Your Mobile Supplier

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Your Supplier – Vodafone Example

• Ensure Roaming DATA Cap is applied in line with Vodafone T&C’s – Bill

Shock

• http://www.vodafone.co.uk/about-this-site/terms-and-conditions/data-

notifications-and-regulatory-data-roaming-spend-cap/

• Limit set with notifications for GBP 42.50/month

• You should receive a text message as you reach 80% & 100% of the monthly

limit – you can extend the limit by texting Vodafone.

• When you get your bill – always check it.. Mistakes happen

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Other Options…

3 SIMS are GBP 15/month all you can eat data!

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Other Tips for Traveller

GO MIFI

Purchase a Unlocked MIFI 4G Device (GBP 60.00 from AMAZON)

Provides 4G/LTE for up to 5 devices

Enables VOIP clients to make calls over WIFI for FREE

Buy a local top up SIM and use and dispose http://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-E586Es-21-1Mbps-Broadband-

Unlocked/dp/B008ESL0PE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1389822033&sr=8-4&keywords=mifi+unlocked

Traveller WIFI Solutions such as http://www.i-gigz.com/

Global roaming solution – WIFI 164 countries

MIFI router meets you at your hotel

Significantly cheaper than DATA ROaming

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Conclusions

• Its easy to avoid a nasty surprise when you get back from your travels.

• Managing how you use data roaming means you can still roam but in a

controlled way and manage your risk

• WIFI at shops/bars (eg Starbucks, McDonalds etc) is normally free and the

best route

• Shop around you can get UK SIMS such as 3 that roam for no cost.

(Always Check small print)

• In 2014 the EU will mandate no roaming charges will apply – so keep posted..