International Mobile Data Roaming Rates: What Operators Are Charging

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.