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T-Mobile International Phone Plans – Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

Andrew Kunesh

Former Content Contributor

69 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 22

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

34 Published Articles 3142 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

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Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Breaking Down T-Mobile’s Free International Data

512 mb international day pass, 5 gb international pass, 15 gb international pass, which t-mobile data package is right for you, how to sign up for an international data package, t-mobile’s supported countries (free and paid), pros of t-mobile’s international data plans:, cons of t-mobile’s international data plans:, final thoughts.

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Having an international data plan can make international travel  a lot easier. You have instant access to maps and can keep in touch with your travel companions without worrying about purchasing a new SIM in each country.

For years there’s been 1 big issue with international data plans: the cost. Plans were expensive and had low data limits with limited coverage. Depending on your itinerary, this could have added a huge extra expense even though it may not have worked for the entirety of your travels.

Thankfully, though, that’s no longer the case.

For the past few years, T-Mobile has offered most of its post-paid customers free international data and texting in over 210 countries worldwide. And while this has a few quirks, its price-point and list of supported countries make it one of the best mobile data options for most travelers.

In this article we’ll walk you through all of the quirks and features of T-Mobile’s international data plans. We’ll take a look at the different plans available, discuss what features each plan includes, and show you which countries are supported.

By the end of the article, you should have an understanding of if T-Mobile’s international data plans are right for you.

Let’s get started!

As discussed earlier, T-Mobile includes free international data and text with 2 of its 3 smartphone plans: Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus.

This sounds great on paper (because it is!), but there’s 1 major quirk to be aware of: your data is limited to 2G speeds at roughly 128 Kbps on the Magenta plan and 256 Kbps on the Magenta ® Plus plan.

This isn’t quite as bad as it sounds, though. Even though data is slow, it’s more than enough for using Google Maps and sending texts through WhatsApp and iMessage. However, you won’t be able to stream video, post photos, or otherwise use the internet without some serious loading time. In many cases, we’ve seen web pages actually time out and not load at all.

The good news is that there’s no data cap when you’re roaming. This means you can use as much data (and send as many texts) as you’d like, and you’ll never have to worry about an exorbitant bill at the end of a long trip abroad. However, the amount of data you’ll actually be able to use will be limited due to the plan’s exceptionally low speed.

Do note that travel to Canada and Mexico is not limited to these low speeds. Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus plans get 5 GB of complimentary 4G LTE per month in the 2 countries, then revert to the slower speeds we discussed earlier. This means you’ll have a largely seamless experience when traveling within North America, something invaluable for business travelers and tourists alike.

While texting and mobile data are included, note that calling is still subject to an extra charge. We’ve found that most countries charge $0.20 to $0.25 per minute, with others charging slightly more. We’ll include calling costs in the supported countries table later in the article.

Buy a T-Mobile Data Pass for Faster Speeds

Need something faster than 2G data abroad? Thankfully, T-Mobile offers a variety of international data packages that let you use full 4G LTE speeds when traveling to any supported country worldwide. There are 3 of these plans currently offered and each comes with a different data limit and — naturally – price point.

Each of these plans has 1 thing in common: data packages aren’t restricted to 1 specific country. If you’re planning a trip around Europe, you can use the same high-speed data package throughout the entirety of your journey. You don’t need to worry about notifying T-Mobile or dropping extra money when crossing another border.

Additionally, each of the 3 plans includes Smartphone Mobile Hotspot at no extra charge. This means that multiple people can share 1 international data pass over Wi-Fi from the subscribed device, making it perfect for families and couples traveling together.

Here’s a look at each of the 3 high-speed data packages:

The 512 MB International Day Pass costs $5 per day and includes — as the name suggests — 512 MB of high-speed international data for 1 day.

This plan also includes unlimited calling for the day, making it perfect for keeping in touch with friends, family, and business partners back home.

The 5 GB International Pass includes 5 GB of data and unlimited calling for up to 10 days . This plan costs $35 per 10 day period, making it a great option for week-long trips around the world.

T-Mobile’s highest international data pass is the 15 GB International Plan. This plan costs $50 and lasts 30 days, giving you a whopping 15 GB of data and unlimited calling to work with.

With so many data packages available, it might seem hard to pick 1 for your trip. Here’s a quick look at why you may pick 1 plan over another.

Stick with complimentary 2G data if you…

• Only want to use maps, instant messaging, and email.
• Don’t need to download email attachments or other large files.
• Plan on being in a big city and close Wi-Fi hotspots during your travels.
• Don’t want to use your phone too much during your trip.
• Want to save money at the expense of better connectivity.
• Can use FaceTime Audio, Skype, or WhatsApp for calling.

Buy a 512 MB International Day Pass if you…

• Need to do light web browsing for restaurant recommendations, etc.
• Plan on sending a few picture and video messages on a daily basis.
• Are taking a short trip abroad.
• Need to make phone calls back to the U.S.

Buy a 5 GB International Pass if you…

• Are traveling for 7-10 days.
• Want to stream music and light video for entertainment.
• Need to browse the internet more heavily for business or leisure (during long train rides, etc.).
• Make phone calls back to the U.S.

Buy a 15 GB International Pass if you…

• Are traveling for more than 10 days.
• Plan on tethering your phone to your tablet or laptop to your phone to share its internet connection.
• Plan to be away from free Wi-Fi hotspots (countryside travel, etc.).
• Do data-intensive work and need to send files when working remotely.

Bottom Line:  Think about how you use your phone when you travel. The less you use it, the lesser of a data package you need.

Free international roaming at 2G speeds is automatically enabled. When you land in a new country, you’ll get a text message confirming that you’re in a supported country and that you’re not liable for charges (see example above).

Signing up for an international data package is simple, too. The plans don’t require any type of contract or other commitment, and you can sign up for a plan whenever you want through the T-Mobile app or website. Here’s how to add a data package through the T-Mobile app:

• Log in to the T-Mobile app on your smartphone.
• Tap Account and then tap  “Add Ons”  next to the Primary Account Holder’s field.
• Tap Manage Data & Add-ons.
• Tap the checkbox next to the pass you’d like to add to your account.
• Tap  Continue  and then tap  Change Date  if you’d like to choose a start date for your pass. If you don’t select a date, the pass will start immediately .
• Click Agree & Submit  to load the plan to your account.

That’s all there is to it. Your international data package will start on the date you set, and you can enjoy high-speed international data wherever you are in the world.

T-Mobile offers mobile data roaming in 210+ countries worldwide. You can view the entire list of countries on T-Mobile’s international travel website — just type in the name of the country you plan to visit , see if mobile data and texting are supported, and check the price of pay-as-you-go calls.

Note that most tourist-heavy countries  are supported — in fact, we’ve found it hard to find countries that aren’t supported by T-Mobile’s international data plans. However, we recommend checking before your trip regardless so you’re not met with any surprise mobile data charges.

Pros and Cons of T-Mobile’s International Data Plans

As you can see, T-Mobile offers pretty compelling mobile data plans. Before you make a purchasing decision, it’s important to take a look at the pros and cons of T-Mobile’s international plans in 1 place. So without further ado, here they are:

• Complimentary mobile data (at 2G speeds) and text messaging, great for maps and instant messaging.
• Low-cost LTE plans with a variety of data options — there’s truly a plan for everyone.
• LTE plans all include unlimited international calling.
• Expansive coverage in 210+ countries, so you can stay connected when you travel.
• Complimentary data is too slow for most online activities like web browsing and streaming.
• International calling is expensive without a premium data plan.
• T-Mobile has a spotty coverage map in the United States.

Overall, we think that T-Mobile’s international data offerings are stellar because of its diverse variety of international data plans. Those that just need maps and texting can stick to the free base plan, while business travelers and others that need faster data and mobile hotspot can upgrade to a data package.

Further, we’re also huge fans of the peace of mind you get with T-Mobile’s international plans. Since all Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus customers get complimentary data, there’s no worrying about overage charges if you run out of high-speed data. Just make sure to keep an eye on your calling as unlimited calling is only included if you purchase a data package.

Safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the t-mobile essentials plan come with international data and texting.

T-Mobile Essentials plan only includes 2G data in Canada and Mexico. Other countries are not included with this plan.

Can I use my cell phone in a different country?

Most modern smartphones are configured to work internationally. You may want to check your phone’s owner’s manual or call T-Mobile to check if you have an older phone or are unsure if your cell phone works outside of the United States.

Does T-Mobile offer discounts for seniors and active duty members of the military?

Yes, T-Mobile offers discounted service for those over 55 and active members of the military. These plans are called Magenta® Unlimited 55 and Magenta® Military. Check T-Mobile’s website for pricing and further details on these plans.

Can I bring my existing phone if I switch to T-Mobile?

Most modern smartphones can be brought to T-Mobile. Use T-Mobile’s compatibility tool to check if your smartphone is compatible with T-Mobile’s network.

Can I call international phone numbers with my T-Mobile smartphone?

You can, but you will pay a per-minute fee. Check out T-Mobile’s international calling page for country-by-country pricing.

Does T-Mobile offer in-flight Wi-Fi for its customers?

Yes! All T-Mobile customers get unlimited messaging (iMessage, Facebook, etc.) and 1 hour of free in-flight internet on Gogo-enabled flights. Plus, Magenta® Plus customers get unlimited in-flight internet on all Gogo flights.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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Is T-Mobile Business Unlimited Advanced Worth It for 1 Line?

T-Mobile Business's Unlimited plan for 1 line costs $70 per month.

It rides on the T-Mobile network for coverage.

The plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and unlimited high-speed data per month. You get 50GB of hotspot data. The data is also priority data , which means you will enjoy faster data speeds during times when the network is busy.

Video streams at 720p HD quality on this plan.

All taxes and fees are included in the price, so your grand total is just $70 per month.

Overall, I do not recommend the T-Mobile Business Unlimited Advanced plan. It is too expensive for the features and data you get.

Check out the best cell phone plans of 2024 for plans that give you a better value for your money.

Recommended plans with the same coverage and data amount:

T-mobile business unlimited advanced full details, t-mobile business unlimited advanced supports the following features:.

• T-Mobile coverage
• Renews every 1 month
• 100GB priority data, then deprioritized during times of network congestion
• Full speed data
• 50GB hotspot data
• 720p HD video streaming
• Video content streams at 2.5Mbps
• Wi-Fi calling
• Visual voicemail
• Group and picture messaging
• Domestic roaming
• Stateside international calling add-on available
• International data
• Device financing available
• Add a smartwatch to this plan for $10 per month
• Add a tablet to this plan for $20 per month
• QCI value: 6

The following features are not supported:

• This plan supports all features.

International Features

• International Texting: Free international texting to 210+ countries and destinations.
• International calling: $15/month extra for Stateside International Talk plan add-on.
• Candada and Mexico: Unlimited calling, texting, and data in Mexico and Canada with up to 5GB of high-speed data at no extra charge.
• International data roaming: Unlimited international texting and 5GB of high-speed data in 11 countries. After 5GB, data speeds slowed to 256Kbps. Unlimited data at 256Kbps is included in 215+ destinations.

Full Pricing Breakdown

Here is the full pricing breakdown for T-Mobile Business Unlimited Advanced.

These prices exclude taxes and fees:

• 1 line: $70 per month
• 2 lines: $120 per month
• 3 lines: $120 per month
• 4 lines: $140 per month
• 5 lines: $32 per month

T-Mobile Business Unlimited Advanced Add-Ons

Why I swear by T-Mobile for my international phone and data plan

Should you go with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon for a cellphone plan, if you are a frequent traveler outside of North America? Or should you choose Google Fi , which offers connection to local cell networks in around 200 countries for $10 per gigabyte of data, and 20 cents per minute of voice call?

I have no doubt: For me, T-Mobile is the way to go.

I pay $147 a month for the T-Mobile One Plus International plan (T-Mobile One plans have been recently renamed to Magenta) giving me unlimited data in 210 countries and territories, for myself and an additional line, which my wife uses. There are no fees and voice calls to the U.S. from those 210 countries are 25 cents a minute. T-Mobile doesn't keep a list of those 210 places, but you can check here if your destination is covered. (A recent test on that page showed that in some of those 210, such as Bhutan and Zimbabwe, there were restrictions — for example, no data roaming was available in Bhutan.)

The free international data roaming is officially limited to 2G speeds but in practice I often get much faster 3G. (In Canada and Mexico, the plan offers 4G speeds.) That's historically been enough for me for loading maps and navigating, which is the most data-intensive activity I'm likely to use my phone for while off Wi-Fi overseas. The plan also offers unlimited international texting from the U.S. — nice to have, although I mostly use WhatsApp for texting.

Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips!

But aren't we put off by the risk of having access to data roaming cut off by T-Mobile if we use it abroad extensively, as others have reported ?

T-Mobile warns that you should not use more than 50% of your voice or data off-network for an extended period of time. Users have reported having their access to data roaming blocked if they went over the limit for that "extended" time. The company doesn't define how long that is, but alerts users that the plan is meant for "traveling abroad, not staying abroad."

The TPG employees who are arguably the biggest travelers on our staff don't do T-Mobile, after all.

Our editor-at-large, Zach Honig, is a Google Fi aficionado; our senior points and miles reporter, JT Genter, who knows a thing or two about traveling all over the world, says he and his wife Katie "are happy paying the reasonable $10 per gigabyte data price and 20 cents per minute on overseas calls for seamless connection almost anywhere in the world ."

If I were JT or Katie, who cover 250,000 miles a year flying all over for TPG and sometimes stay for weeks in one country, or hyper-globe-trotter Zach , I might seriously give Google Fi a shot. But I'm a far less hard-core traveler; this year I'm barely hitting 80,000 flight miles and a lot of my travel over the past few years has been quick in-and-outs to various countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Even factoring in longer vacations abroad, my wife and I are nowhere near that 50% limit set by T-Mobile.

When it comes to connectivity, I value above all the convenience of taking my phone off airplane mode as soon as the wheels hit the runway and being ready to text, email and Slack with my co-workers in the New York and London offices. With T-Mobile, I have no worries about additional charges and nothing to configure or tweak: It's good to go from the first second until I hop on a plane out of there.

Related: The ultimate guide to international smartphone use

It works even in remote locations. "I had service at the top of a volcano in Guatemala," says our weekend editor, Jane Frye, who was there with TPG colleagues for a trip with PeaceJam . JT says that on a recent trip to Liberia for another PeaceJam event, "everybody on T-Mobile had service," while he and Katie on Fi did not.

Google Fi is better "if you're trying to do intense work," says JT, who recalls filing stories for the site from a bus in Bosnia using his phone as a mobile hot spot. I have used the hot spot function of Samsung Galaxy phones on T-Mobile's international roaming, but it isn't the biggest plus for me.

But here's where T-Mobile really earns my business: The One Plus International plan, now Magenta Plus, includes free Internet for the entire flight on planes equipped with Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi , as well as Netflix. Those are huge pluses for me.

I do most of my flying on Delta Air Lines, whose fleet has Gogo. That means I get in-flight internet for free, for the entire flight. Even if the free internet only works on mobile phones, not on laptops, it's a really great perk. Curiously, sometimes the splash screen after I log in tells me I have one hour of free internet — like I would on a simple T-Mobile One plan — but that's not true. I can go all flight long, and that includes international long haul.

Gogo internet is also available on some American Airlines and United Airlines flights , which comes in handy for me a couple of times a year on average. Not a big deal, but nice.

However, my favorite feature may well be Netflix. Under the T-Mobile Magenta Plus plan (formerly called One Plus), T-Mobile covers the $12.99 monthly fee for the Netflix Standard streaming subscription , for two screens at a time. As someone who's happily cut the cord and ditched cable, I'm very happy that T-Mobile is picking up the tab for the service that has replaced a lot of my cable TV. And while someone else is watching Netflix at home, I can watch on my phone while on the road, in high definition. That helps make T-Mobile's Magenta plan an easy choice for me.

This story has been updated to clarify that free Wi-Fi under the T-Mobile plan described in the article covers the entire flight, not just one hour. It also has been updated tto reflect that under the plan, T-Mobile covers the entire $12.99 monthly cost of a Netflix streaming subscription.

T-Mobile Small Business Cell Phone Plans

Learn more about T-Mobile small business cell phone plans with key information, pricing details, frequently asked questions.

Updated on June 23rd, 2023

The SMB Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

T-Mobile is a major international cell phone provider with coast-to-coast coverage in the United States and small business cell phone solutions to help businesses stay connected. In 2020, T-Mobile merged with Sprint Corporation, allowing the company to expand its network and customer offerings.

*All plans exclude taxes and fees.

International Plan Details:

Pros: Fantastic mobile device management and awesome coverage.

Cons: Not all devices are compatible with T-Mobile.

Bottomline: Excellent platform to enable efficient business communications.

Key Information:

What are t-mobile's plans.

T-Mobile has a variety of plans for phones, tablets and hotspots, wearables and lifestyle devices, and prepaid plans.

What solutions does T-Mobile offer for business?

• Mobile point-of-sale (POS) .
• Fleet management.
• Help desk for small businesses.
• Mobile device management .
• Productivity solutions.
• Internet of Things network solutions.

What are the T-Mobile business plans?

• Magenta for Business.
• Military Plan for Business.
• T-Mobile Simple Choice.
• T-Mobile 13+.
• T-Mobile Amplified.

Does T-Mobile allow my business to bring my own device (BYOD)?

Yes. BYOD saves your business money and gives your business the flexibility to use company-owned devices or allow employees to use their own. You can just add T-Mobile's plan.

Can my business keep it's existing number if I bring my own device?

Yes. Most phone numbers can be transferred to T-Mobile. You need to check the transfer eligibility of your existing number from your current service provider.

What information does T-Mobile require to port my business number?

• Previous carrier's name.
• Previous carrier's account number.
• Account pin number.
• Phone number to be ported in.

How do I contact a T-Mobile business sales representative?

If you are interested in T-Mobile business plans, you can talk to a T-Mobile business expert by calling 1 (844) 428-9675.

Does T-Mobile offer a small business discount?

T-Mobile does not have a specific small business discount, but you pay less per line with every line that you add, and veteran-owned small businesses can qualify for special rates and plans.

What is T-Mobile ONE business?

T-Mobile One is a plan for Military veterans who own small businesses. As long as you verify your military status, you can get a discount of between 20% and 50% off per line.

What are the account benefits for this plan?

• Coast to coast 4G LTE coverage.
• 24/7 customer support.
• Online account management and bill payments.
• Unlimited data options.

What is T-Mobile Business Care?

T-Mobile Business Care is a customer service department of T-Mobile that is dedicated to business support. You can dial 611 from your T-Mobile phone to reach the T-Mobile business care line, or you can call the T-Mobile business number at 1 (877) 347-2127.

What is the T-Mobile Business Family Discount?

The Business Family Discount is a discount that T-Mobile offers to the family members of someone who is already on a T-Mobile business plan. With this discount, you can save up to 50% on the first two lines in your family plan.

What are some alternatives to T-Mobile's Small Business cell phone plans?

• Mint Mobile .
• Metro PCS .
• Cricket Wireless .
• Xfinity Mobile .

Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know

Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

• T-Mobile phone plans
• Verizon phone plans
• AT&T phone plans
• Google Fi plans
• Other options
• Device compatibility and eSims
• 5G coverage when traveling

Before your summer travels overseas, you should look into whether you've got one of the best international phone plans for staying connected during your upcoming adventures. In the U.S., all the major wireless carriers offer some kind of travel benefit with their best cell phone plans , but they also have supplementary packages for travelers to augment the data plan you already have in place. The trick is to make sure those options keep you covered around the globe.

1. T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon : TravelPass options 3. AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion 5. Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

The best international phone plans will let you make calls and browse the web when you're in another country (though there might be a fee on top of your normal monthly rate, depending on which carrier you use). Different plans might cover different countries, and how long you plan on traveling could also impact your choice of plans. Your method of travel — be it by plane or cruise ship — also affects which plan is best for you.

All of these are things for globetrotters to consider when shopping for wireless coverage. You're going to want one of the best unlimited data plans since they tend to offer the most travel-related perks. If you haven't travelled internationally in a while, it's smart to double-check what options are out there since the best phone carriers have overhauled their plans and packages available to travelers.

Here’s a look at the travel policies and perks for the three top U.S carriers along with information on Google Fi, which offers a plan that definitely appeals to frequent travelers.

T-Mobile international phone plans

T-Mobile offers an expanded array of plans, though most of its unlimited data plan options have some benefits for overseas travel. Subscribe to Magenta, Magenta Max, Go5G, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next, and you enjoy unlimited data and texting in more than 215 countries around the world. If you want to place or receive calls, you’ll be subject to the local rate depending on where you want to go. You don’t need to notify T-Mobile of your travel for your overseas benefits to kick in.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus Plan | Unlimited Data | $90/month T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan has the edge over Magenta Max for world travelers, even if the latter plan is $5 cheaper for a single line. That's because Go5G Plus customers get more data when traveling in Mexico and Canada (15GB vs. 10GB for Magenta Max) and 10GB more hotspot data. Otherwise, the two plans are identical: You can use your data in 215-plus countries at no extra cost. The first 5GB of data you use use will be high-speed data (with 5G speeds supported where available). The cheaper Go5G and Magenta plans ($75/month and $70/month, respectively) also feature travel benefits, including high-speed data in 11 European countries. Otherwise, data speeds are capped at 256 kbps.

Travel perks in current plans: As part of T-Mobile's Beyond Connected program, data speeds now reach 256 kbps when you're overseas. If you subscribe to either the standard Magenta or Go5G plans and you're in one of 11 European countries, you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data every month, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom.

The perk gets better when you upgrade to either Magenta Max or Go5G Plus, both of which cost $15 more a month than their respective base plans. In that case, you can benefit from 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries.

Go5G Next, T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $100/month for a single line, has the same travel benefits as Go5G Plus, but adds the ability to upgrade your phone every year. If that's not important to you, stick with Go5G Plus and pay $10 less each month on your wireless bill.

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi on American, Delta, Alaska Airlines and United flights. Magenta Max and Go5G Plus subscribers get full texting and Wi-Fi with streaming during flights, where wireless is available. If you go with the standard Magenta or Go5G option, you're covered on four flights per year with full streaming, plus unlimited texting; after those four flights, you can stream one hour of video. Delta SkyMiles members also get free Wi-Fi on domestic U.S. flights courtesy of T-Mobile — even if they get their wireless service from another carrier.

In Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile allows you to use up to 5GB of data whether you've got Magenta or Magenta Max; speeds are slowed to 2G after that. Go5G customers get 10GB of data in those two countries, while Go5G Plus members enjoy 15GB.

T-Mobile includes travel benefits in two of its remaining senior plans, with identical travel perks between the $100 Go5G Plus 55 option and the $120 Go5G Next 55 plan. (Note that those monthly prices cover two lines of data; one line of either Plus or Next cost $70 and $80, respectively.) Travel perks include high-speed data and text when you travel abroad, plus unlimited in-flight connectivity. When you travel to Canada or Mexico, you get 15GB of high-speed data. Both plans also include a year's membership to AAA for road travel in the U.S.

If you opt for T-Mobile's lower cost Essentials unlimited plan, you'll get 2G roaming in Canada and Mexico, but have to pay for data elsewhere.

Trip-specific passes: T-Mobile offers International Pass options for travelers who want high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. A 5GB International Pass gives you that much high-speed data along with unlimited calling for 10 days. It costs $35. T-Mobile's $50 International Pass increases high-speed data to 15GB and extends the length of the pass to 30 days. The carrier also offers a $5 daily pass that gives you 512MB of high-speed data, and unlimited calling between the 215 or so Simple Global destinations. 

Cruise rates: Pricing on cruises will vary according to which cruise you’re taking. You can check T-Mobile’s site to see what your pricing will be.

Verizon international phone plans

Verizon phones generally work all over the world, especially if you've got a phone built in the last few years. But where you travel significantly influences how much you’ll have to pay. As for which is the best Verizon phone plan for travelers, that all depends on how frequently you go overseas. There's a clear choice for regular globetrotters, but Verizon's less expensive offerings allow you to tack on travel benefits, too.

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited Data | $90/month Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most benefits for world travelers. Verizon promises "full international connectivity," meaning you'll be able to use talk and text for free when overseas; you also get 10GB of high-speed data every month that you can use in other countries. Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, so unless you take frequent trips, you may be better served by Unlimited Plus ($80/month for one line) or Unlimited Welcome ($65/month). Those two plans can add on a $10/month Travel Pass options that provides three days of talk, text and data when you're overseas. You can drop the Travel Pass add-on from your plan in months were you don't need it. Verizon lets family plans mix and match lines so one person can get Unlimited Ultimate, while the others subscribe to the cheaper options.

Travel perks in current plans: Of Verizon's three unlimited plans, the best for frequent travelers is the Unlimited Ultimate option, which lets you use talk and text in other countries just like you would in the U.S. You also get 10GB of high-speed data to use overseas every month.

Unfortunately, Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, costing $90 a month for one line. (And that's after a discount for enrolling autopay.) There are cheaper options — Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus — that include travel perks. Both plans let you text internationally to 200-plus countries. You can also use LTE data when traveling in Mexico and Canada. You're limited to 0.5GB of data consumption per day in those two countries before your speeds are slowed to 2G, and you can't use more than half of your talk, text and data in those countries over a 60-day period.

In addition to the base Welcome Unlimited and Unlimited Plus packages, you can opt for $10 monthly add-ons for your Verizon plan — some covering streaming services, another providing hotspot data and so on. The relevant package is Verizon's $10/month 3 TravelPass Days add-on, which saves you $20 a month on travel benefits as you pick up three passes during monthly billing cycles. You can accrue up to 36 passes for using talk, text and data when traveling overseas.

Unlimited Welcome starts at $65/month for one line, while Unlimited Plus is $80. If you have a family plan, you can mix and match so that different lines of data subscribe to different plans — helpful if there's one person in the family who travels a lot and would benefit from the Unlimited Ultimate perks.

Trip-specific passes: Let's talk a little bit more about the TravelPass . It's Verizon's daily option for international coverage, and it’ll cost you $5 per day per device for each day you’re out of the country if you travel to Mexico or Canada and don't have an unlimited plan. In 185 other countries — including China, France and Germany — Verizon charges $10 per device per day. TravelPass gets you 2GB of 5G data, and unlimited data at 3G speeds after that; the passes also come with unlimited talk and text.

If you know you’ll be traveling for a bit more time, consider Verizon’s monthly option, which the carrier recommends for trips lasting at least 10 days. International Monthly Plans at Verizon cost $100/month, but in exchange, you get 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 20GB of high-speed data. (Use that, and you get unlimited data at 3G speeds.)

Verizon also offers pay-as-you-go pricing for international travel. You’ll pay 99 cents per minute in Canada and Mexico, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Rates go up to $1.79 in 130-plus countries and $2.99 in 80 other places. Each text message you send will cost you 50 cents, and each received text will set you back 5 cents. Your data will be charged at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte no matter where you are.

Cruise rates: Pay-as-you go rates on cruise ships cost $1.99 for each minute of talk and 50 cents for every sent text message. You’ll pay 5 cents per message received. Verizon has a data plan for cruise passengers, too, with $30/day giving you 500MB of data plus unlimited texting and 50 minutes of talk time. For in-flight connectivity, you can opt for the same pay-as-you-go rates for cruise trips or you can pay $20 per day for unlimited data.

AT&T international phone plans

AT&T also comes with varied international pricing depending on where you want to go. Canada and Mexico travel is covered in many top AT&T plans, and if you pay up for the Unlimited Premium option, you can use your plan in many Central and South American countries. Traveling elsewhere? Then you had best look into AT&T's travel passes.

AT&T Unlimited Premium| Unlimited Data | $85.99/month It's AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan, but Unlimited Premium has the best perk for travelers — you can use your talk, text and data at no extra cost in 20 Latin American countries.  As with other AT&T unlimited options, you also enjoy talk, text and data coverage when traveling in Canada and Mexico.

Travel perks in current plans: If you’re heading to Mexico or Canada, AT&T already covers all of your voice, data and text with its four different unlimited plans — Starter, Extra, Premium and the entry-level Value Plus option. AT&T offers a lone tiered data plan with 4GB of data that you can use in Canada and Mexico (though roaming may be at 2G speeds). Both unlimited and tiered data plans feature unlimited texting to 120-plus countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan is the best option for travelers headed to the Americas, as you'll be able to enjoy unlimited text, talk and data at no additional cost in 20 Central and South American countries. 

If you do a lot of international calling from home, AT&T offers unlimited calling to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month for each line. Calls to another 140-plus countries get discounted rates under this plan.

Trip-specific passes: For anyone off to Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America or the Asia Pacific region on a short jaunt, AT&T recommends its $10-a-day International Day Pass, which comes with unlimited talk and text and data governed by your plan. (Note that each device you take overseas will need its own Day Pass.) That service is available in 210-plus countries, and you can add extra phones for just $5 a day.

You'll never have to pay for more than 10 days of day passes on any one bill, even if your trip lasts longer. International Day Passes also kick in automatically when you use your phone abroad — you get a text message letting you know you're covered.

Cruise rates: On cruises , AT&T offers a $60/month Cruise Basic plan that covers 100 minutes of talk and unlimited texting while also offering 100MB of data. Need more of everything? Then try the Cruise Plus plan ($100/month), which includes 1GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. 

Google Fi international phone plans

If you do a lot of international traveling, don't ignore Google Fi Wireless , the wireless service set up by Google that uses cellular towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular to provide coverage. International travel is built into two of Google Fi's plans — the Unlimited Plus and Flexible options.

Google Unlimited Plus| Unlimited Data | $65/month The Unlimited Plus plan is the way to go with Google Fi, as you can use your data at no extra cost when traveling overseas. Google Fi customers who pay by the gigabyte of data used are also eligible for this perk.

Travel perks in current plans: You've got two options with Google Fi — tiered data through the company's Flexible plan or a pair of unlimited data options. Flexible coverage costs $20 a month for talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data you use. (Data usage is rounded off to the nearest megabyte so you only pay for the data you consume.) Google stops charging you after you use 6GB a month, meaning you'll never pay more than $80. 

If you find unlimited data plans more appealing, Google has you covered there, too — it also offers a $65 Unlimited Plus option that rolls in unlimited talk, text and data. Unlimited Plus subscribers now get a year of YouTube Premium as a perk. 

The real benefit to either Unlimited Plus or Flexible is that those plans cover you when you're traveling in 200-plus countries. When you're overseas, Google Fi charges the same rate for data usage, whether you're on an unlimited data plan or paying by the gigabyte. Voice calls cost 20 cents (though calls placed over Wi-Fi are free) and you get unlimited SMS messaging. 

Alas, Google's $50/month Simply Unlimited plan is not eligible for the free data perk when traveling. That said, all three of Google Fi's plans let you use talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada.

Google Fi is even more appealing now that Google has opened up service to all phones, including iPhones. Note that phones optimized for Google Fi — Google's Pixel phones (currently the Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a )  along with a selection of Samsung phones and Motorola budget devices — can switch seamlessly between cellular networks and Google's Wi-Fi hotspots, while other phones cannot.

Trip-specific passes: Unlike the other carriers here, Google Fi doesn't offer travel passes for extended trips. Your only option is to get coverage through the Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans.

Cruise rates: Google Fi is not available when you're at sea — only when you're on land in one of the 200-plus countries covered by the carrier.

Other international phone plan options

Discount carriers typically don't provide much in the way of benefits for travelers, but there are some exceptions. The most noteworthy alternative is Visible , which has expanded the travel perks for subscribers to its $45/month Visible Plus plan .

Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its parent company's network for coverage. The Visible Plus plan features unlimited data, including access to Verizon's high-speed 5G network. Travelers will be particularly interested in the unlimited talk, text and 2GB of daily data available through Visible Plus when traveling in Canada and Mexico. Visible Plus customers are also eligible for one free Global Pass day per month, in which they can use talk, text and data at no charge in 140 countries. Globla Passes normally cost $10.

Best international phone plan: Device compatibility and eSims

Traveling overseas used to mean checking to see if your phone would be compatible once you set foot in another country. But those days are drawing to a close now that 3G networks are shutting down, eliminating much of the distinction between phones that work on either GSM and CDMA. If you've got a recent smartphone that connects to LTE, chances are strong it's going to work just fine in other countries. (You still might want to confirm that your phone works on the LTE bands available in the country you're heading to prior to your trip, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises.)

Many phones now support electronic SIM cards or eSIM technology, where you no longer need to swap in a local SIM card to make your smartphone work with an overseas network. (Since the iPhone 14 , Apple devices sold in the U.S. only feature eSIM support — that includes the newer iPhone 15 models.) One of our editors took an international trip using an eSIM for her phone and found it easy to setup and use with a local network — in fact, she plans to use the eSIM approach on all future travel. 

That said, not every country supports eSIM. And depending on your phone carrier in the U.S., you might already have options that cover your phone use in other countries.

International phone plans: What about 5G?

As noted above, many of the plans that offer international travel either have you connect at whatever speed is available locally or at a reduced speed in cases where you're drawing from your own data plan. But what if you've got a 5G phone that can connect to faster networks overseas?

For the most part, we'd expect your phone to operate as before, either at whatever speed the local network offers or a capped speed if that's part of your carrier's travel plans. However, in a few instances, U.S. phone carriers have started making deals with overseas wireless providers that allow their customers to access 5G speeds when roaming. You should check with your carrier for information about the country you're going to travel in.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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US man returns from Europe to $143,000 T-Mobile bill for using phone overseas

Gigantic bill apparently reflected using 9.5 gigabytes of data on a phone that had not been set up for international roaming

A Florida man was stunned to come back from a European trip and – upon checking his phone bill – realize that he had been charged a staggering $143,000 by his phone company for using his device while overseas.

ABC Action News reported that Rene Remund and his wife had toured Switzerland last September and had even gone to a T-Mobile store to share his travel plan with his phone provider before leaving.

But the gigantic bill apparently reflected using some 9.5 gigabytes of data while overseas on a phone that had not been set up for international roaming.

Remund told ABC that he called T-Mobile and waited on hold while the charges were examined and the person he spoke with informed him that the bill was not a mistake and that he was liable for it.

Remund replied: “You’re kidding me?”

He then hired a lawyer, who contacted ABC for help. Shortly after T-Mobile were contacted by ABC, the company offered to credit Remund’s account.

T-Mobile told ABC : “We recommend our customers check the travel features of their plan, such as international data roaming, before departing … if a customer is on an older plan that doesn’t include international roaming for data and calling, they’ll need to make sure they’re using airplane mode and wifi when using data to be certain the device doesn’t connect to an international network.”

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FCC fines Verizon, AT&T other major carriers nearly $200 million for sharing customer data

Verizon, at&t, t-mobile and sprint have been fined a collective $200 million for sharing customers' location data without their consent, the fcc announced monday..

Federal regulators have fined several major cellphone carriers nearly $200 million combined for illegally sharing customers' location information without their consent.

T he Federal Communications Commission announced the fines Monday against Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint, the latter two of which have since merged since investigation began. An investigation determined the four carriers sold access to their customers’ location data to aggregators, who went on to sell the data to third party location-based service providers.

“Our communications providers have access to some of the most sensitive information about us," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. "These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them."

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Location data 'puts all of us at risk,' head investigator says

The investigations began after it was made public that the nation's largest wireless carriers were sharing customers' location information without their knowledge or any other sort of authorization.

By selling access to such information to aggregators, the FCC found that each carrier had attempted to "offload its obligations to obtain customer consent onto downstream recipients of location information." That meant that in many instances, no valid customer consent was ever obtained.

When the carriers were notified that their safeguards were ineffective, all four continued to sell access to location information without implementing measures to protect customer location information from unauthorized third party access, according to the FCC.

Under federal law , carriers are required to protect location information along with other confidential customer information unless they have "express consent" to share it, the FCC said.

Foreign adversaries and cybercriminals have begun making it a priority to obtain sensitive personal data of Americans, such as location information, said Loyaan A. Egal, chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, which headed the investigations.

“The protection and use of sensitive personal data such as location information is sacrosanct,” Egal said in a statement. “When placed in the wrong hands or used for nefarious purposes, it puts all of us at risk."

What were all 4 carriers fined?

The agency first proposed the fines in 2020 following the investigations.

The penalties for Verizon and T-Mobile were eventually reduced after the commission reviewed additional evidence, according to the forfeiture orders made available by the FCC.

Here's what each carrier has been fined:

• Verizon : $46.9 million;
• AT&T : $57.3 million;
• T-Mobile : $80.1 million
• Sprint : $12.2 million.

Wireless carriers plan to appeal penalty

In separate statements Monday to USA TODAY, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T all said they would appeal the ruling, indicating the penalty is related to programs the companies all shuttered more than five years ago.

In a statement saying “Verizon is deeply committed to protecting customer privacy," company spokesman Rich Young said FCC's order concerns a now-defunct program requiring opt-in consent from customers to support services like roadside assistance and medical alerts.

"When one bad actor gained unauthorized access to information relating to a very small number of customers, we quickly and proactively cut off the fraudster, shut down the program, and worked to ensure this couldn't happen again," Young said in the statement. "Unfortunately, the FCC’s order gets it wrong on both the facts and the law."

An AT&T spokesperson told USA TODAY that "the FCC order lacks both legal and factual merit."

"It unfairly holds us responsible for another company’s violation of our contractual requirements to obtain consent, ignores the immediate steps we took to address that company’s failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services," according to a statement from AT&T.

T-Mobile said in its statement that "we take our responsibility to keep customer data secure very seriously and have always supported the FCC’s commitment to protecting consumers, but this decision is wrong, and the fine is excessive."

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]