Roaming charges

Because calls and services are billed differently for domestic and international roaming, sorting it all out can be confusing. Whether you're making and receiving calls; text messaging; using date; or calling Customer Service, learn the difference between domestic roaming versus international roaming with the information below.

Making and receiving calls

Domestic roaming

• Customers with a nationwide rate plan are not charged extra for roaming nationwide. These minutes deduct from your bucket.
• Customers with a regional plan (such as Get More 3000 Regional) are charged $0.49 per minute plus long distance, if applicable.
• Airtime usage is measured from the time the network begins to process the call (before the phone rings or the call is answered) through the termination of the call (after you hang up).
• If you're near an international border, it's possible for domestic calls to incur international roaming charges. For more information, read about Near-border roaming charges.

Note: All charges also apply to voicemail retrieval.

International roaming

• Minutes used while roaming internationally do NOT deduct from your rate plan minutes.
• Airtime usage is measured from the time the network begins to process the call (before the phone rings or the call is answered) through the termination of the call (after you hang up).
• For more information, read about International Roaming.

Note: All charges also apply to voicemail retrieval.

Text messaging

Domestic roaming

• Outgoing and incoming text messages charge according to your rate plan.
• If you have a text message limit, usage deducts from that limit.
• Normal overage charges apply once you reach your limit.
• Text messages received from an international number are deducted the same as messages received from a domestic number.

International roaming

• Messages sent while roaming internationally are not covered within standard messaging bundles and are $0.50 per use.
• Messages sent to an international number from the U.S. and Puerto Rico are not covered within standard messaging bundles and are $0.20 per use.
• Messages received while roaming internationally deduct from your rate plan at no extra charge.
• Normal overage charges apply once you reach your limit of received text messages.

For more information, read about our International services while traveling outside the U.S.

Data usage

Domestic roaming

If you have a data plan, there's no extra charge to use data while roaming on the T-Mobile network. Depending on your data plan, overage costs vary and apply once you reach your limit.

• Logging in and out of websites
• Displaying of website pages while surfing
• Files
• Applications (we cannot determine which third-party applications may transmit data)
• MP3s
• Data synchronization for functions such as calendars, contacts, email, and MobileLife Contacts
• Chat information while using Java™ chat sites
• Attachments transmitted to a handset or laptop whether read or unread
• BlackBerry Messenger
• PIN-to-PIN Messaging on BlackBerry devices
• IMs

For more information, read about Domestic data roaming.

International roaming

When roaming outside the United States, you may incur data charges if Data Roaming and/or Data Synchronization are turned on.

• You'ill receive a text message notifying you that data is charged at a higher rate.
• To activate data service, enter #RON# (#766#).
• To deactivate data service, enter #ROF# (#763#).
• Data usage while roaming internationally is pay-as-you-go and will not deduct from your rate plan allowance.
• Roaming charges are $10 per MB in Canada, $15 per MB in all other countries.

For more information, read about International data roaming.

Calls to Customer Service

Domestic roaming

It's free to call Customer Service when roaming in the United States. If you call 1-800-937-8997, you'll reach T-Mobile Customer Service. If you dial 611, you'll reach one of our roaming partner’s customer service line.

International roaming

To reach T-Mobile Customer Service, call:

+1-505-998-3793 from a T-Mobile device (roaming airtime and long distance are not incurred)

+1-505-998-3793 from a non-T-Mobile device (international long distance charges and additional charges may apply)