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11:57 pm
July 2, 2010
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Our primary method for Internet connection as we travel is to tether our Verizon Droid cell phones. It works great, but there have been two places it didn't work at all and we learned that people with Verizon data cards worked fine in the same location?? hmmmm
The first time, I just shrugged my shoulders and used the Wi-Fi. The second time there was no Wi-Fi, so I investigated a little further. 🙂
I looked at the settings of my Droid and noticed a Data Roaming setting. It was Off. When I tried to turn it on, it displayed a pretty scary message about how Data Roaming could incur substantial extra costs.
So I left it off.
Then I stewed a while. It appeared that I could easily turn it on and off at will – so I decided to try it. I turned on Data Roaming and was able to get my email and upload a photo to Facebook. Then I turned it off. I haven't yet seen any charges added to my account for this … I still need to call Verizon to see if they have any further information.
Anyone else experience that?
12:46 pm
Chris, I am very interested in what you find out. I am currently in a campground at Bass Lake, CA where the service is very bad. I also found the setting for Data Roaming and got the same message you did, but that scared me to the point of not trying it. When you find out the costs associated with it, please post them.
Thanks, Dave
11:28 am
July 2, 2010
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Hey David,
I've done some research on the Droid forums and feel pretty confident that the roaming is indeed included. The error message is there to make you aware … there *will* be a charge if you are outside of US.
My billing period is up tomorrow – I fully expect my bill to have *no* extra charges for the day that I turned roaming on. I think you should go for it … You can turn it off after testing it – so even if charged, it would be for a very small time.
I'll let you know when I get my bill.
On our return trip to Florida, we will be going thru Bowling Green. I really can't wait to try the Data Roaming there. (yes, I am a geek!) If it works, I will be very excited, but also incredulous that someone at Verizon (who we called at the time) didn't know about this?!? Or … maybe the Data Roaming setting just appeared in the latest android version – 2.2?
12:24 pm
Chris, Thanks for that info. I have turned mine on. It really isn't helping where I am right now, but probably will as I move about the country. I will still want to know if you got charged when you get your bill.
3:06 am
July 2, 2010
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Well – a month went by with no charges!
Here's the article I wrote about Droid and Data Roaming:
/2010/09/motorola-droid-verizon-data-roaming/
10:53 am
Chris, Thanks so much for this information. Hopefully I'll remember it if I get into an area like Kentucky. Do you turn Data Roaming on and off??? Or just leave it on all the time.
Thanks.
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