International Calling:
There are a few major things to be aware of when it comes to international calling:1. When you call from the U.S. to another country, the price you pay per minute of talk time is based on the country you call. This uses up your normal domestic talk time minutes, plus the per minute price you pay for the international call. The price you pay per minute for a country may also vary from carrier to carrier. This pricing variation generally depends on the agreements your particular carrier has with the carriers in the other country.
2. When you are traveling abroad, or "roaming internationally," you may pay a complete price per minute depending on which country you're making a phone call from and which country you're calling. This, again, can vary from carrier to carrier. If you're calling while "internationally roaming" to a local place in the country you're in, remember that's still an "international roaming" call and you'll be paying more-per-minute.
3. Depending on your visit time and phone usage time in a country, you may consider renting a domestic phone with a local phone number for local phone calls within that country. You may also be able to purchase local pre-paid SIM cards that work with your current phone.4. Lastly, your carrier may offer you a package that lets you pay a certain amount per month that includes a certain number of minutes or lowers your general per minute rate for international calling or international roaming calls.
International Text Messaging (SMS), MMS and Data Plans:
Domestic monthly service or price plans generally do not include international text messaging (SMS), international MMS, or international data plans. These need to be purchased separately. You may be able buy a bundle, a plan, or a package for these services or you may pay-per-use. Charges for these types of service usages are generally very high and will show up as separate line item on your bill. Keep in mind, when using these services (especially text messages (SMS) and MMS) from the U.S. to another country, you may carry a different rate than when you use them while roaming internationally.
If you currently having a data plan (e-mail, Internet) as part of your monthly service or price plan, remember it probably won't include international roaming as part of that plan. You will either have to purchase an international roaming data plan to access your e-mail or Internet or pay-per-kilobyte of usage used while roaming internationally. Check with your carrier for details.
It's important to know what's available when shopping for a monthly service or price plan. To get a better idea of your particular needs check your cell phone bill for call services (voice, data, SMS, MMS) usage time for the last 3 months. Generally, your carrier representative may also be able to help you analyze your bill and make recommendations for a your monthly service or price plan.
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U.S. only. AOL Mobile services may require a wireless data plan and charges from your wireless carrier may apply. Not all AOL Mobile services are available on all wireless carriers or on all wireless devices. Check with your wireless carrier to confirm that product use is consistent with your carrier's Terms of Service.
