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What is data roaming? Does it cost extra? Why doesn't my iPhone automati...

What is data roaming? Does it cost extra?

Why doesn't my iPhone automatically connect to AT&T service? Sometimes I have to go directly to Carriers in the Settings to connect to AT&T 3G. Thank you in advance.

Mac Mini 1.25 Ghz PowerPC 1GB, Powerbook G4 867 Mhz 1.25GB, Mac OS X (10.5.3), iPod Classic 80 GB

Posted on Nov 4, 2008 7:26 AM

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Posted on Nov 4, 2008 7:29 AM

data roaming is accessing data when your'e not on AT&T's network and is VERY expensive. there was a discussion yesterday where a user ran up a $4500 (yes you read that right) bill becuase he was traveling for work. it is the smart thing to keep data roaming OFF (which is why it is the default).
12 replies

Nov 12, 2008 5:54 AM in response to David Soto2

I did not believe people who said charges were high when travelling. One week away has taught me that they are not high, roaming charges are astronomical. This is the one bad thing about iPhone, in all other respects it knocks spots off my previous Blackberry, Apple should try and get a system going where the costs when travelling are no higher than Blackberry's

Nov 19, 2008 5:44 AM in response to David Soto2

There is no local data roaming or call roaming in the U.S. as a subscriber with AT&T. Wherever AT&T has coverage in the U.S. is included.

AT&T does not own all the towers in the areas where they have coverage in the U.S. AT&T calls this "off net usage"

The following was copied from AT&T's wireless service agreement.

+If your minutes of use (including unlimited services) on other carrier networks ("off-net usage") during any two consecutive months exceed your off-net usage allowance, AT&T may, at its option terminate your service, deny your continued use of other carriers' coverage or change your plan to one imposing usage charges for off-net usage. Your off-net usage allowance is equal to the lesser of 750 minutes or 40% of the Anytime Minutes included with your plan. AT&T will provide notice that it intends to take any of the above actions, and you may terminate the agreement.+

Dec 3, 2008 6:42 PM in response to David Soto2

I didn't know that Sprint has a GSM network in addition to their CDMA network.

Switching from AT&T's company owned towers to other carrier networks or "off-net usage" with AT&T in the continental U.S. is automatic and seamless. This will mostly be with T-Mobile in the U.S. and I'm not sure if there is a selection available for this which shouldn't be necessary for "off-net usage". And I haven't heard about this being available with Sprint, which has a CDMA network.

What is data roaming? Does it cost extra? Why doesn't my iPhone automati...

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