Trends Report

International Mobile Data Roaming Rates: What Operators Are Charging

3's New Free On-Net Roaming Is The Type Of Offer MNCs Want

March 23rd, 2007
Brownlee Thomas, Ph.D., null
Brownlee Thomas, Ph.D.
With contributors:
Christine Ferrusi Ross , Phil Sayer , Allison Thresher

Summary

Finally a mobile operator with wireless networks in several countries is stepping up to offer multinationals a break from very expensive international mobile data roaming charges. The 3 Group has introduced a new, Internet services-type pricing model for international mobile data roaming. Its customers will now pay exactly the same data transfer charges when connected to a 3 network in other countries as they do in their home market. The largest mobile operators with many multinational corporation (MNC) customers — Cingular, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, etc. — have been simplifying their mobile rate plans, and some are cutting their mobile data roaming rates as well. But most will resist following 3 in adopting a free in-footprint model. Companies with many mobile data users roaming internationally should ask service providers about whether and when they'll adopt free in-footprint roaming and zone-based pricing elsewhere.

Want to read the full report?

Contact us to become a client

This report is available for individual purchase ($1495).

Forrester helps business and technology leaders use customer obsession to accelerate growth. That means empowering you to put the customer at the center of everything you do: your leadership strategy, and operations. Becoming a customer-obsessed organization requires change — it requires being bold. We give business and technology leaders the confidence to put bold into action, shaping and guiding how to navigate today's unprecedented change in order to succeed.