International roaming guide for travel abroad

Use this page to educate customers who plan to travel internationally, set expectations, and ensure they have positive experiences.

Get ready to travel

Here are some questions you can ask customers to help them prepare for their travel to other countries.

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Travel South Asia

Where are they going?

  • T-Mobile provides travel benefits based on customers rate plans and where they intended to travel.
  • To ensure customers have a positive travel experience, check where they are going such as Canada, Mexico, or any of our 215 travel destinations. 
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What services do they want to use?

  • Services vary based on the destination, so determine how customers plan to use their services while traveling abroad.
  • Do they plan to use talk and text to the United States, in the country they visit, or other international countries? 
  • Do they plan to use data for navigation, social media, or the Internet?
  • Do they plan to use Wi-Fi for calling, data, and texting? 
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Travel South Asia

How long will they be there?

  • Depending on the plan they have, customers may benefit from International Data Pass options (for a one-time charge) or a Global Plus add on feature (for a recurring monthly charge).
  • If customers plan for extended travel for more than 60 days, inform them their travel benefits are intended for short-term travel and then review the Extreme Roamer Reduction details for more information. 
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Country rates and coverage

Log in for plan specific rates and coverage

  1. Inform customers that users with a T-Mobile ID can log in to receive information specific to their plan and device.
  2. Ask customers to visit https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans.
  3. Direct customers who are not logged in to select My account in the top right corner and then choose Log in.
  4. Guide customers through checking device compatibility and reviewing country-specific rates once logged in.
  5. Follow the assisted support steps below if customers are unable to log in to review coverage, compatibility, and applicable rates on their behalf.

Check coverage and device compatibility

  1. Review customers' accounts to determine the rate plan they have (including any roaming features such as International Roaming and Canada and Mexico included)
  2. Determine the device customers will use while traveling. 
  3. Visit https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans. (You might need to clear your browser's cache, cookies, and browsing history if you experience issues with this tool).
  4. Enter up to three countries your customer plans to visit in the Enter country or destination field.
  5. Enter the customers' device in the Add device field.
  6. Click Check coverage.

Educate customers about services rates and coverage

  1. Review the international details provided for the customer's plan online and share the data, texting, and calling rates with them.
    • If a country is not listed, there is no roaming agreement available in that country, and customers will not be able to use their device or T-Mobile SIM card in that country. 
    • Wi-Fi calling may not be supported in countries without roaming agreements and this service cannot be guaranteed.
  2. Review the device details (such as compatible, partially compatible, or not compatible) with customers.
    • Discuss device upgrade options to compatible devices if needed.
    • Recommend using Wi-Fi for data and calling when available if customers device not to upgrade. 
  3. Review the Calling and texting abroad details below to educate customers about how to call or text when traveling. 

Review customers' plans and included features

When logged in, customers can review plan-specific rates, check device compatibility, and manage eligible international features directly on the International Roaming Plans page.

  1. Confirm the international roaming experience based on customers' rate plans (such as Basic or Premium), talk and text only without data, or no international roaming benefits at all. 
  2. Recommend optional add-on features if customers want to expand their international travel experience:
    • Global Plus (Experience / Go5G plans): This is a month-to-month feature for U.S. based customers who make frequent trips to any of the included 215+ countries and destinations.
    • International data passes: These passes are available for a one-time charge and provide high-speed data and calling for one day, ten days, or 30 days in any of the included 215+ countries and destinations.   
    • Block data feature: This can be added to customers' accounts if they want to avoid data charges while roaming internationally. This SOC should not be backdated when customers return from travel since backdating could rerate the previous data charges and result in high, incorrect data charges. 
  3. Advise customers they will receive a welcome text message when they arrive at their destination country and their device registers on the roaming partner's network. This text message provides their country experience, rates, and roaming details.
  4. Use the share functionality above to send the support page to customers so they can view the country roaming rates, general coverage, and device compatibility details: https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans

 

Cruise ships

  1. Visit https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans. 
  2. Click Check cruise coverage.
  3. Enter the cruise line details in the Search cruises field.
  4. Enter the customer's device in the Add device field.
  5. Click Check coverage and share the rates and device details with customers.
  6. Educate customers about the following:
    • Calls placed over Wi-Fi to non U.S. numbers are subject to the cruise ship rates.
    • Incoming calls delivered to voicemail are charged one minute (even if customers do not listen to the message). 
    • International data passes and Global Plus 15GB are not compatible with cruise ships.

 

Calling and texting abroad

Calling and texting while traveling internationally is different compared to how these are done in the United States. Customers cannot call local numbers from their devices like they can from a local landline.

Mobile devices
  • Hold down the 0 key to create a + sign.
  • Enter the country code, the city code, and the local number.
Landline phones
  • Enter the country code, the city code the customer is in, and the phone number (which can be any number of digits with or without dashes and spaces)
  • Remove the 0 (zero) if it precedes the city code. 
Emergency calls
  • Customers can dial 112 for emergency calls while traveling internationally. 
  • 911 may also be used in some countries in additional 112.
  • Customers can check local directories or other resources online for emergency numbers in the countries they visit.
Calls / Texts to the U.S.
  • Dial +1 followed by the area code and the phone number.
  • Hold down the 0 key to create a + sign.
  • The plus sign replaces the need to use an IDD code (which is 00 for the U.S.)
T-Mobile International Customer Service
  • Encourage customers to add +1-505-998-3793 to their devices contacts list. 
  • Customers can use this number to reach T-Mobile Customer Service from their T-Mobile device while abroad at no charge. 
    • If customers call 611 or T-Mobile 1-800 numbers while traveling internationally, they will be charged for the call.
    • If customers call this number from an international landline, they will be charged for the call by the landline provider.

Dialing pattern examples

Here are a few examples of dialing patterns that are used while traveling internationally.

LocationIDDCountry CodeCity / Mobile CodePhone NumberFull Number Dialed
London, UK+4420XXX - XXXX+44-20-XXX-XXXX
Seattle, WA U.S.+1206XXX - XXXX+1-206-XXX-XXXX
Mexico City, Mexico+5255XXX - XXXX+52-55-XXX-XXXX

Set expectations

Calling

  • Encourage customers add alternative numbers to their phone for toll free numbers they may need in case 1-800 and 1-888 numbers are inaccessible in the countries they visit. 
  • Inform customers that incoming calls delivered to voicemail are charged for one minute based on the country's roaming rates (even if they do not listen to the message).
  • Advise customers that calling and texting usage to international numbers while using Wi-Fi on international travel is based on the country rates outlined above. Calls and texts to U.S. phone numbers deduct from their plan's buckets.
  • Offer customers international roaming blocking services if they want to restrict talk, text, and data usage while traveling. 

Customer notifications

In addition to the welcome message customers receive when they arrive at their destination country, they may also receive usage notifications while traveling internationally. 

Data usage
  • Customers with unlimited high-speed data on their plans receive notifications they reach 80% and 100% of their data limit while traveling in Canada or Mexico. 
  • Customers can use the #WEB# short code to check their overall data usage. 

 

International rate charges
  • Customers receive notifications when they incur voice or data charges they reach (or exceed) $50, $100, $200, and $300 of international usage charges. 
    • Consumer accounts: The PAH and subscriber with the charges both receive the SMS unless they have customized their notification preferences. They can turn off bill shock notifications for either the PAH or subscriber, but not both. 
    • Business accounts: The PAH and subscriber with the charges both receive the SMS unless they have customized their notification preferences. They can turn off bill shock notifications for both the PAH and the subscriber. 
  • These bill shock notifications are sent at any time of the day once a threshold is reached. 

"Caution! Your T-Mobile account reflects you have reached (dollar amount) of international data roaming charges in this billing cycle. To avoid additional charges, turn Data off by dialing #763#. To avoid possible service suspension please contact Customer Care at +1-505-998-3793 right away."

 

High balance suspension
  • Lines that exceed $300 of unbilled usage are suspended to prevent unexpected high bills.
  • Charges may exceed $300 before line suspensions if the usage exceeds $300 in a single session or if the international roaming partner is delayed in reporting the usage to T-Mobile.
  • Customers must call Customer Service if their lines are suspended to either restore and agree to the additional charges or to take action to prevent additional charges. 

 

Services and agreements

  • Inform customers T-Mobile has roaming agreements with other carriers in most countries, but we cannot guarantee the quality of the network signal or functionality of your features.
  • Advise customers the same factors that can affect their services while in the U.S. can impair their services abroad. 

Special scenarios

  • The travel experience while in the air varies when traveling internationally since some airlines may offer inflight services. 
  • These services charge at a higher per use rate and customers should check with the airline on specific costs.

  • If customers state they will use Dual SIM Dual Standby functionality with a local SIM card, they should set a default line for calls, texting, and data to prevent unexpected charges. 
  • This should not be proactively offered to customers unless they ask. 

  • U.S. service men and women (as well as their families and other customers) located on the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba have access to T-Mobile's domestic 5G network and receive benefits such as unlimited talk, text, and data on their devices and tablets.
  • If their devices connect to Cubacell (Cuba's network provider), they will receive a text message and will be charged the Cuba roaming rate for their usage.
  • These customers can manually disable Data Roaming and Automatic Network selection settings on their devices to prevent connection to Cubacell.
  • Text message notification: "Message: Caution-Cuba is not covered in your T-Mobile plan! Data is $2/MB+ tax, Talk $2/min, $.50/text. Dial #763# to disable data and switch to Wi-Fi to browse the internet or check emails."

 

  • If customers' Mobile Internet plan does not include International Roaming or if the country they are visiting is not one of the 215+ international countries, a SOC can be added to their accounts to enable data usage.
    • Sub-level SOC: MBBROAM
    • Cost: $0
  • This enabler is not eligible for use with On-Demand Mobile Internet plans.

Disclaimer: Effective October 16, 2025, roaming data for roaming subscribers who connect to Russian network is inconsistent. Texting is no longer impacted.

  • Due to local regulatory requirements in Russia, a 24-hour service restriction is applied to data for all outbound roaming subscribers on any Russian network. 
  • The restriction begins automatically when subscribers first register on a Russian network and remains in place for 24 hours.
  • Services will resume as normal after the 24-hour period.
    • If there is no activity from the IMSI for three consecutive days after the restriction is removed, it is re-applied until activity occurs. 
    • Once activity resumes, the next 24-hour restriction starts.
  • This is a mandatory regulation in Russia and cannot be modified.

If customers receive service in Russian controlled territory within the Ukraine, they are roaming on a Russian carrier and need to dial using the Russian country code: +7

  • Some third-party applications such as Facebook Messenger, Facetime, and WhatsApp may use data services when communicating to other users and may incur data charges (even when connected to Wi-Fi).
  • The applications do not provide notifications to customers or indicate when they are using cellular data. 
  • Customers should research each application through their company's site before using them internationally. 
  • Customers can also turn off cellular data on their devices when using these third-party applications. 

  • Customers who use VPN have their Internet usage routed through the network that is available wherever it is located. 
  • Customers will receive a welcome text message when their VPN connects their device to another country's network for the first time. 
  • Customers may be charged World Class rates even if they are in one of the 215+ international roaming countries. 
  • If the VPN routes through a North American country, customers are charged international calling rates if calling a different country since they are not considered roaming. 
  • If the VPN routes through a different country (that is not North America), customers are charged the international roaming rates based on that country.

  • Legacy World Class features for consumer and business plans enable international roaming for voice only. Data is not included.
  • Voice barred feature only enables roaming. Data roaming charges still apply.
  • Voice Barred data plans feature are available to legacy voice barred plans.
  • Mobile Internet feature is available to legacy Mobile Internet plans. 
  • World Clas International Roaming SOCs:
    • Consumer: WRLDINBLR ($0)
    • Business: WRLDINBLB ($0)

MI Roam

  • Sub-level SOC: MIROAM
  • Enables data usage for customers whose Mobile Internet plan does not include International Roaming or whose destination country is not among the 215+ supported. Note: MBBROAM is being retired and replaced by MIROAM. Customers will be migrated.
  • Cost: $0
  • Eligible Account Types: B/C, B/L, B/M, B/N, B/O, B/P, G/F, G/R, I/A, I/F, I/G, I/J, I/M, I/R, I/S, S/6, S/D, S/E, S/I, S/K, S/T, S/V, S/Y
  • Eligible only for plans with international roaming capabilities.
  • Enables international roaming in non-Simple Global countries and destinations.
  • Not eligible for On-Demand Mobile Internet plans.
  1. Go to International Roaming Plans.
  2. Enter the country, device type, and choose the customer’s plan or “Other T-Mobile plans.”
  3. Review the section for “Other countries” (outside the 215+ Simple Global list) to see:
    • Per-minute calling rate
    • Per-MB or per-GB data roaming rate
    • Text messaging rates

 

 

May incur overage charges for usage in non-Simple Global countries and destinations.

GSM Roam

  • Sub-level SOC: BGSMROAM
  • Enables data usage for customers whose Mobile Internet plan does not include International Roaming or whose destination country is not among the 215+ supported. Note: MBBROAM is being retired and replaced by BGSMROAM. Customers will be migrated.
  • Cost: $0
  • Eligible Account Types: B/M, B/O
  • Available to Business Customers only. 
  • Eligible only for plans with international roaming capabilities.
  • Enables international roaming in non-Simple Global countries and destinations.
  • Not eligible for On-Demand Mobile Internet plans.
  1. Go to International Roaming Plans.
  2. Enter the country, device type, and choose the customer’s plan or “Other T-Mobile plans.”
  3. Review the section for “Other countries” (outside the 215+ Simple Global list) to see:
    • Per-minute calling rate
    • Per-MB or per-GB data roaming rate
    • Text messaging rates

 

 

 

May incur overage charges for usage in non-Simple Global countries and destinations.