Latest T-Mobile expansion adds 20 countries to international roaming program
T-Mobile US said it has added 20 countries to its Simple Global international roaming service, bringing the total to 145 countries where customers can access free text messaging, data and low-cost calling from their mobile device.
The program, initially launched in late 2013 as part of T-Mobile US’ Un-carrier 3.0 initiative, is said to now cover all of Europe and South America. The carrier noted the expansion pushed overall coverage to “more than 90% of the trips Americans take abroad each year.”
The Simple Global service is included for T-Mobile US Simple Choice postpaid customers. T-Mobile US claims customers are using 140 times more data abroad, global texting is up more than tenfold and customers are making more than six times as many voice calls since the service launched.
The expansion comes on the heels of T-Mobile US’ “Mobile without Borders” service launch in July, which offers most postpaid and prepaid customers free access to place calls, send text messages and access data services in Canada and Mexico by tapping into their rate plans at no extra cost. The data access includes LTE speeds where available, and customers can also place calls from the U.S. to all numbers in Canada and Mexico for no extra cost on qualifying plans. Those not on qualifying plans are charged $10 per month to access the roaming option.
T-Mobile US’ rivals recently have begun targeting the international roaming service.
Sprint last month launched its Open World service that includes various roaming services in 34 countries, with the biggest hook being free access to 1 gigabyte of 3G data for customers traveling in Mexico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay. Those customers also receive unlimited voice calling and text messaging in those countries. After the 1 GB of 3G data is used, customers can purchase additional gigabytes for $30, which is billed in kilobyte increments.
Sprint also continues to offer its previously launched and enhanced international roaming plans – now under the Sprint Global Roaming brand – that include free text messaging, voice calls billed at 20 cents per minute and unlimited 2G data access across a handful of countries.
AT&T has moved to integrate its recently acquired and rebranded Mexico operations, with plans to offer what CEO Randall Stephenson said would be the first-ever North American mobile service area tapping into its own U.S.-based network and newly acquired assets. AT&T said the combined networks would cover more than 400 million potential customers.
Verizon Wireless recently updated its international roaming option that for $5 per month allows customers to call Mexico and Canada for no additional per-minute fees, with calling minutes deducted from their current plans. The offer is also available to its branded prepaid customers.
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