The roaming services per se is expensive. Imagine, you get an incoming message or an incoming call while out of the country and you’ll get charged for that. Not for a measly one digit with a two-decimal-precision but a two digit (for SMS) and up to four digit total charges (for calls). For the postpaid subscribers, I know that you would not want to have your bills to reach more than what you’re currently paying for your plan. And for the prepaid subscribers, you would not want to spend most of your shopping money to prepaid cards.
Here are alternatives to Roaming services provided by the three mobile networks:
If you are abroad, and have access to PC and the Internet, use Chikka to send messages. For those who will be texting Sun Cellular subscribers, they are also Chikka-powered already. Or if not, use the more traditional e-mail and Instant Messaging services to get your message across.
And if your phone is capable of supporting the networks of the country you’re currently located, just buy a prepaid SIM card there. At least it won’t be that much heavy for your pocket. 😀
19 comments
Roaming with Globe or Smart prepaid is better than using your postpaid line. At least you’re assured that incoming SMS will not cost you a cent. And incoming calls (in the case of Globe prepaid) are charged a flat per-minute rate (either P50 or P80, depending on the area), and not a fluctuating forex-based charge, which usually entails hidden charges by both your telco and the roaming partner abroad.
> you get an incoming message or an incoming call while out of the country and you’ll get charged for that.
Hmmmm…. I’m remember quite clearly that my incoming SMS while roaming (Addict mobile subscriber here) doesn’t get charged at all.
You’re right, Chikka does serve it’s purpose. See a related article on Chikka and chikka javalite. Javalite is very convenient when using Chikka on public computers.
coz my Dad is a postpaid subscriber and his bill was 4 times of what he’s actually paying hehe
yep.. prepaid is another alternative 🙂
I HAVE A BIG QUESTION, what if my roaming has a load of below 100 and i failed to recharge it on time. Now, my roaming was deactivated,and there is no way to caontact anyone because there is no signal at all. what will i do to activate it again? i really need your help. thankyou.
when the signal is gone, it only means that your globe roaming service has been deactivated.. either your load has expired or you have a balance of P100 below.. to reactivate your roaming, have someone in the philippines (your family, relative, or friend maybe) call globe’s hotline 223.. they could ask the CSR to reactivate your globe roaming service.. but be sure to maintain a balance of at least P100 to avoid deactivation.. and also make sure that you reload everytime before your load expires.. =)
is papua new guinea wthin reach of globe roaming or is smart better pls help its my 1st imeo use it, hw much is the charge for outgoing calls and mms?ty appreciate it
the cheapest way texting while abroad is to send prepaid simcard to the philippines with the same network your using abroad and receive sms via roaming sim. For example:
>in UK I am using vodafone network, so I have to send vodafone sim to the philippines so that you can send sms free or local charges. Then receive sms via roaming network or by my GLOBE sim.
Though it requires two mobile phone.
im in canada roght now and supposedly i would turn on my roaming for globe before leaving the philippines but failed because my phone ran out of battery right before we reach the airport… so is there any possible way to activate my roaming service even though we’re abroad? i also have a smary sim card is it also possible for smart? i would gladly appreciate any help… thank you in advance..
im in canada right now and supposedly i would turn on my roaming for globe before leaving the philippines but failed because my phone ran out of battery right before we reach the airport… so is there any possible way to activate my roaming service even though we’re abroad? i also have a smart sim card, is it also possible for smart? i would gladly appreciate any help… thank you in advance..
i used my ronig for about 2 year already. i just reload it i think twice only for the year. suddenly message came out that my sim was inactive. that day i haven’t receive anymore texts from the philippines especially my famiyl. i really want my roming number be back so that it easy for my family to text me back to my number. please help me how to reactivate it.
when im in roaming at UAE, can i sen to chikka in the philippines? how much will be charged? thanks
im in japan right now and supposedly i would turn on my roaming for globe before leaving the philippines but failed because my phone ran out of battery right before we reach the airport… so is there any possible way to activate my roaming service even though we’re abroad? i also have a smart sim card, is it also possible for smart? i would gladly appreciate any help… thank you in advance..
hi. i have a question. can i use chikka to send sms to a roaming smart sim? i wonder if they can receive my texts using chikka to their roaming smart numbers. thank you!!
i have question for sun cellular.
i’m in dubai right now.
my roaming is also activated using globe subscription.
but my father is using sun cellular post paid 350.
every month there is a free 250 txt messages to other networks.
is texting my globe roaming number is included in 250 free txt?
or have additional extra charge per txt?.
thanks!.
Maeji YES . i just sent a chikka sms to my bf with smart roaming he was able to receive it. (there should have signal on his end) . He is at jamaica on cruise now. There!
Hi! Question
What if my bf reply from smart roaming to mt CHIKKA text here in pinas… How much will it cost? Any idea? Tnx!
I’m currently in Dubai and tried sending an SMS from someone back in the Philippines. It didn’t work. Not sure what the problem is
IM and email are not ideal if you have messages that are time-sensitive like emergencies where you need your message read immediately because let’s face it, most people in the Phil don’t have Internet access from their cellphones at any time either because they’re using a low end CP or do not have wifi access.
Question here…
Is there really no roaming in Cananda for sun cellular prepaid?
Why?