Data roaming (aka cellular data roaming) is the process of your phone connecting to telecommunication networks other than the one you normally use back home, granting you access to the internet and the ability to make and receive calls and send and receive SMS texts. Though you can “roam at home,” data roaming is most commonly used when traveling abroad. While roaming can be a quick and convenient way to get online, roaming fees can be astronomically high. As such, opting for an eSIM over roaming is the best way to access high-speed internet abroad without breaking the bank.

How does data roaming work?

Put simply, data roaming is an agreement between your network provider from back home and providers in different countries around the world to grant you the ability to connect to a local network when you travel. For those wondering what data roaming is on an iPhone and whether it differs from other devices, cellular roaming works pretty much the same on every phone. Roaming is generally provided by GSM (2G and 3G), 4G LTE, or 5G services.

Let’s say you’re home in the US and your carrier is AT&T. You’ll be able to see “AT&T” at the top left corner of your phone. However, if you travel to Canada and turn on your roaming, you’ll notice that “BELL,” “ROGERS,” or “TELUS” will be in its place. When you connect to one of these local Canadian networks, you'll be able to make and receive calls and send and receive SMS texts with your regular cell number rather than having to use a local number.

Types of roaming

When it comes to understanding what cellular data roaming is, a slight nuance exists between three types:

• National roaming: When you use a network service other than your normal one within your home country.
• International roaming: When you use a local network service while abroad. This type of roaming is most often practiced by travelers.
• Permanent roaming: Most common among expats and long-term travelers, permanent roaming involves switching on international roaming for a long period. This is the most expensive type of roaming out of the three.

How much does data roaming cost?

Data roaming isn’t such a budget-friendly ordeal. Carriers have different pricing schemes, but rarely are they cheap. Some providers will charge you a flat fee that you pay per day of roaming. In this case, it doesn’t matter if you scroll Instagram for five minutes or stream YouTube for three hours — the cost will be the same. Other carriers have a “pay-as-you-go” pricing scheme, where the more data you use, the more you pay. Many carriers will send you a text message detailing their pricing for international roaming when you arrive at your destination. If you use your roaming too liberally, you can expect a bill in the hundreds.

The best mobile data solution for traveling to Canada

Instead of turning on your cellular data and incurring exorbitant fees, the best mobile data solution for travelers heading to The Great White North is to purchase an eSIM for Canada.

If you’re out of the loop, eSIMs are virtual SIM cards. Unlike traditional SIM cards, which you’ll need to search for at a convenience store and insert into your phone, eSIMs can be purchased and set up through an app in a couple of short minutes.

How to choose and use an eSIM

The most important place to start before you choose an eSIM provider is to first figure out whether your phone is eSIM compatible. Thankfully, most smartphones manufactured after 2018 do support eSIM technology. In fact, some iPhones in the US are only eSIM compatible and lack the slot for a physical SIM card.

If you’re unsure about whether your phone supports eSIMs, you can check in your phone’s settings or search for your smartphone in this eSIM-compatible devices directory.

Choosing an eSIM provider

With eSIM services popping up left and right, choosing the right provider can feel like a challenge. eSIM providers offer data plans at varying amounts (in GB or MB) and price points for different durations of time. When researching which eSIM provider to go with, consider the following questions:

• Do they offer a data plan for your country of destination?
• How flexible are the data plans when it comes to the amount of data and duration of availability?
• What’s the price like?
• Is 24/7 customer support available?

Based on these criteria, a great eSIM service to go for is Saily. Created by the trusted team behind NordVPN, Saily provides Canadian data plans starting at just $5.29, ranging from 1GB to 20GB of data for up to 30 days. The app provides clear step-by-step instructions that make installing an eSIM a breeze. Friendly customer support reps are available 24/7 to help if you have questions along the way.

How to buy and use an eSIM for Canada with the Saily eSIM app

1) Download the Saily eSIM app from the App Store or Google Play.

2) Under “Destinations,” select Canada and choose a plan that suits your travel needs.

3) Fill out your billing information and purchase the plan.

4) Install your eSIM by following instructions prompted by the app.

Your data plan should automatically activate when you arrive in Canada. However, for your plan to activate automatically, make sure to switch off your primary data plan in your settings before arriving. Otherwise, you can manually activate your plan in your settings once you’ve installed your eSIM. You’ll be notified when you’ve used 80% of your data, and you can easily top up your data in the app if you need to.

The bottom line

• What is roaming data? When your network provider from your home country has an agreement with providers across the world to grant you internet access and the ability to call and text as you travel.
• Roaming is expensive. In many cases, charges can be hundreds of dollars at the end of the month.
• The cheapest and most convenient alternative to getting internet while you travel to Canada is by purchasing an eSIM.

The Saily eSIM app offers cheap and flexible plans for travelers heading to Canada. Installing an eSIM is made easy with clear step-by-step instructions. If you have any questions, 24/7 customer support is ready to help.