Definition

• According to Mobile World Live, roaming is the ability for a cellular customer to use his or her phone to make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services when traveling outside the geographical coverage area as defined by a wireless provider.
  
  

Geography

• For wireless customers in the United States, a geographic coverage area could extend "nationwide," but you can still incur roaming charges by using your phone in an area where standard coverage is not available. This is made possible through GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.
  
  

Identification

• In most areas with roaming capabilities, users simply dial the area code and number for both long distance and local calls on their wireless phone. In some areas, dialing a "1" before the area code and number is also required. Internationally, GSM world phones are recommended for travelers visiting Europe, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, as well as much of Asia and the Middle East.
  
  

Considerations

• Cellular customers are expected to check with their wireless provider regarding all domestic and international roaming charges, though the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently begun exploring ways to prevent so-called "cell phone bill sticker shock." This would make companies responsible for informing customers when they reach their plan's data limits or are incurring roaming charges.