Warning Iphone/ATT users in mexico

I have found new excitement in apple with the iphone, however the AT&T alliance is rapidly erroding that excitement. I am concerned with the long term sales pace as customers become increasingly dissatisfied with this "monopoly". Other than the typical examples of less coverage that another carrier, etc., I recently found that taking an iphone into mexico can be extremely frustrating and expensive. This first day i was unable to make a call in mexico (not a problem with Verizon), so I used email and checked a couple of websites, etc. as this was my only way to get info and communicate with home. after two days, that stopped also stopped working. I just got home and called ATT&T. they informed me that although I have unlimited data in the US, it is a charge (without warning) in Mexico. For my two days of sporatic and slow data coverage in Mexico, the charge would be about $1,500. Yes, that's $1,500 USD. Long story short, they reduced it by adding me to an international plan to $150. So for two days my December bill was doubled. Is anyone else concerned with AT&T bringing down the iphone?

macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 17, 2007 9:04 AM

18 replies

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Dec 17, 2007 4:04 PM in response to allamb

The paperwork AT&T sends you with your contract covers it in detail.

Jan 4, 2008 8:11 PM in response to glongo

I was just reading the roaming charges thread because I am going to Cancun. I then navigated for the first time ever to the 'Data Roaming' tab under the 'Network' tab in Settings. To my surprise the iPhone comes from the factory with the default Data Roaming setting turned 'off'. So my question is, why would anyone ever turn it ON? Here in Oregon I surf the web, do email and use it constantly, all in the 'off' position. All in my 'home' calling area. So, if I go to Mexico, can I surf the web with it still in 'off' postiion? It would appear so, due to this note, posted in 'Settings' just below the 'on/off' tab: "When abroad, turning off Data Roaming may avoid roaming charges when using email, web browsing, and other data services" The other being SMS, I assume, and maybe Wi-Fi access, who knows. Am I correct to assume that leaving the data roaming set to 'off ' will avoid roaming charges (if indeed one can websurf with it 'off')? Anyone have actual experience on this? ATT had no idea when I called them.

Jan 4, 2008 9:33 PM in response to Craig Kerr

So my question is, why would anyone ever turn it ON?

When roaming internationally.

The Data Roaming on/off setting is for international roaming only. Any roaming in the U.S. with an AT&T partner network is included with the iPhone's unlimited data plan for AT&T's entire coverage area in the U.S.

So, if I go to Mexico, can I surf the web with it still in 'off' postiion?

Via an available Wi-Fi connection only.

Although SMS is technically data transfer, SMS is not exchanged over the data or EDGE network so with data roaming off when roaming internationally, you can still receive and send SMS which will be an extra charge from AT&T per SMS received at whatever the international roaming rate is for SMS.

You must request international roaming with AT&T for your account.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.js p?WT.svl=calltoaction

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Warning Iphone/ATT users in mexico