On June 15, in accordance with the regulation of the European Parliament and Council of the EU, roaming service prices were lowered throughout the entire Community. All mobile operators began communicating the introduced changes, then the holidays started, and roaming became an increasingly discussed topic. But what do we actually know about roaming? Below is a brief explanation of what this service actually entails.
See also: Roaming prices at Mobile Vikings
Before we move on to the types of roaming, we should briefly explain what this mechanism is. Simply put, roaming occurs when our SIM card connects to the base stations of another network – even within the country. The types of cross-border calls differ in technical aspects, but what seems most important from the user's perspective – they are billed differently by operators.
➡ International Roaming
Knowledge about this type of roaming can probably be considered the most common. We encounter international roaming when, while abroad (our phone connects to another network's base stations), we call "home," meaning to Polish numbers (regardless of whether the user we are contacting is currently in Poland or also abroad). Within the international roaming subgroup, we can also mention EU roaming, which operates within the countries of the European Union.
To be precise – if we are in the European Union and call any foreign number within the EU (including Poland), we are also subject to the EU roaming rate.
➡ Domestic Roaming
Not everyone realizes that we also use roaming services when we are in the country and make calls to Polish numbers, also located within the country. It is enough that, for example, as a user of the Mobile Vikings network (Play base stations), our SIM card connects to a T-Mobile or Plus network base station, and we are then in so-called domestic roaming. If, however, we are connected to our network's base stations and make calls to Polish numbers located in Poland or abroad, it is always a traditional domestic call for us. For example, if we call from Poland to a Polish number that is currently in Japan, we still pay as for a domestic call. The person we are calling is then billed according to roaming rates.
➡ International Call
An international call occurs when we make a call from a Polish number to a foreign number. It should be noted, however, that regardless of which country the foreign number we are calling is located in – even if it's in Poland, it will still be an international call. For example, if we have a friend from Germany who has come to Poland and is using their German number here, then even though they are right next to us, when we call them, we are making an international call. They, in turn, pay as if they were roaming (connecting to a network other than their home network).
So, Vikings, is everything clear now?! Take a look at our infographic, it should clear up any doubts. If you have any thoughts or still have questions about roaming or international calls – write to us! We will gladly answer all your questions! 🙂
