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Fido Roam FAQs & Pay-Per-Use Information

Table of Contents

Fido Roam

What is Fido Roam?

Fido RoamTM is a service that lets you use your data, talk and text from your existing Fido postpaid mobile plan (not available with Data and Text only and prepaid plans) in the U.S for $12 a calendar day or internationally in tons of destinations for $15 a calendar day. The daily fee covers each calendar day of usage until 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), regardless of which time zone you are roaming in.

With Fido Roam, you'll be charged only on the days you use your device to make or receive a call, send a text message or use data when travelling. If you go over your regular voice or data usage limits, domestic voice and data overage rates will apply.

When you're in an eligible destination, all the calls and text, picture and video messages you make to Canadian numbers and to numbers within the destination you're visiting are deducted from your Fido postpaid mobile plan (not available with Data and Text only and prepaid plans). Calls to all other destinations will be charged as if you're making them from Canada, as will messages, unless your plan includes international messages.

How do I confirm if I can use Fido Roam?

All Fido postpaid customers with an eligible mobile plan are automatically covered by Fido Roam when they travel to an eligible destination (Data and Text only and prepaid plans not eligible). All you have to do is turn on data roaming to use your plan while abroad. To confirm your enrollment status from your device, text ROAM to 222.

How do I make calls to Canada, locally or another international number while roaming?

Before you start:Make sure you’re manually dialing the number from your mobile phone and not using a voice assistant.

In general, use this format for dialing:

[+] [country code] [area code] [phone number]

The + sign is used as a substitute for the Country Exit Code. Because different countries have different Exit Codes, using + ensures you will not have any issues making calls.

To dial +, press and hold down 0 until the plus symbol (+) appears. You can also refer to your device manufacturer’s user guide on how to dial using +.

Dialing a local number in the destination you’re visiting

Using the dialing format above, here’s an example of how you can make a local call. Let’s say you’re travelling in Germany and want to call a local restaurant to make reservations:

  • Restaurant’s local phone number: 030 43 21 567 (example only)
  • Country code for Germany: 49

Using the format, here’s what you’ll need to dial:

[+] [49] [030] [4321567]

Dialing another international number while in the destination you’re visiting

Let’s say you’re travelling in Germany and want to call friends or family in South Africa:

  • Phone number in South Africa: 030 43 21 567 (example only)
  • Country code: 27

Using the dialing format above, here’s what you’ll need to dial:

[+] [27] [21] [3456789]

Dialing back to Canada while in the destination you’re visiting

Let’s say you want to make a call back home to Canada while you’re still travelling in Germany:

  • Canadian number: (416) 555-1234
  • Country code: 1

Using the dialing format above, simply dial:

[+] [1] [416] [555 1234]

Helpful tip: To find out the country code for the country you're visiting, go to HowtoCallAbroad.com.

Checking voicemail

To access your voicemail while roaming, hold down 1.

  • You may be asked to enter your 10-digit wireless number before your voicemail PIN.
  • You may not see the voicemail indicator light or notification in real time. Not to worry, you'll still receive all your voicemails.
  • You will be charged the Fido Roam daily fee for checking your voicemail

Contacting Fido

You can reach us from your mobile device from any country for free by dialing + 1 514 925-4590. To dial +, hold down 0 until the plus symbol (+) appears.

I have a Data and Text only plan. Can I access Fido Roam?

No, Fido Roam is not available with Data and Text only plans.

 

 

When will I be charged for Fido Roam?

You will be charged for every calendar day (based on ET) that you use your device to make or receive a call, send a text message or use data while abroad. You’ll pay for up to 20 calendar days per billing cycle only, per zone. Want to keep roaming after that? No problem, it’s on us for the rest of your billing cycle.

I have an eligible Fido postpaid mobile plan. Can I opt out of Fido Roam? Can I opt out of Fido Roam?

Contact us to opt out of Fido Roam. It is very important to understand that standard Pay-Per-Use roaming rates that will apply should you opt out of Fido Roam.

With Fido Roam, you will know what to expect on your next bill. Plus, receiving text messages and/or letting your calls go unanswered to your voicemail will not trigger the Fido Roam charge.

If I have Fido Roam, can I use the U.S. or International Roaming Pay-Per-Use rates instead?

If you have Fido Roam, you cannot use the standard Roaming Pay-Per-Use rates in destinations that are covered by Fido Roam. You can only use the standard Roaming Pay-Per-Use rates when visiting destinations not covered by Fido Roam or if you have opted out of Fido Roam beforehand by contacting us.

I have unlimited evenings and weekends starting at 5 p.m. as part of my Fido postpaid mobile plan. How does that work while I’m abroad?

You can still make unlimited evening and weekend calls while using Fido Roam. The unlimited calling window is determined by the time zone of the eligible destination in which you are currently roaming. For example, if you are in Los Angeles, your unlimited evenings will start at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

However, you will still be charged the daily Fido Roam fee based on your usage according to Eastern Time, regardless of what time zone you're currently travelling in. For example, if you start calling at 5 p.m PT, which corresponds to 8 p.m. ET, you’ll be charged once for any voice usage between 8:00 and 11:59:59 p.m ET, and again for any usage after midnight ET the following calendar day. When you are charged the second time, you will be covered until 11:59:59 p.m. ET of that calendar day.

How will I know if I am in an eligible destination for Fido Roam?

You will receive a text message as soon as your device connects to a partner network confirming the rate you will be charged. If you are in a destination that is not covered by Fido Roam, we will send you a text message with information about our standard Pay-Per-Use roaming rates.

I have a stopover in the U.S. on my way to another country. How will I be charged?

If you are traveling between Fido Roam zones (U.S. and International) within the same calendar day until 11:59:59 p.m. ET and using the data, talk or text from your Fido postpaid mobile plan (not available with Data and Text only and prepaid plans), you will trigger a daily charge in both zones. When you are charged the second time, you will be covered until 11:59:59 p.m. ET of that calendar day.

How am I charged if I travel to multiple eligible destinations?

If you use Fido Roam both in the U.S. and internationally within the same billing cycle, you will be charged for up to 20 days of Fido Roam per zone — that is, up to 20 days for U.S travel and another 20 days for international travel. For example, if you use your device for 15 days in the U.S. then 10 days in an eligible European destination within the same billing cycle, you will be charged a total of 25 days for Fido Roam.

If you are travelling within a single Fido Roam zone (U.S. or International), the daily charge will be applied only once per calendar day (based on ET). For example, if in the same calendar day you travel between Germany, France and Italy, you will be charged the Fido Roam International rate only once.

Which destinations are included in Fido Roam?

You can use Fido Roam in many destinations around the world.

It covers all of the U.S. (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)

It also includes many eligible destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America, Asia, South Africa, Oceania and the Middle East

Consult the Travelling with Fido page to confirm if your next destination is covered by Fido Roam, learn about the daily charge for the destination you are visiting, or the pay-per-use rates if Fido Roam is not available in such destination.

What if I go to a destination not covered by Fido Roam?

Fido offers standard Pay-Per-Use rates in most destinations not covered by Fido Roam. View Pay-Per-Use rates.

Does Fido Roam work on cruise ships & airplanes?

Data roaming on cruise ships & airplanes is not available. Please note that voice and SMS messages continue to be offered at pay-per-use rates. Consult your onboard operator for Wi-Fi connectivity options

Does Wi-Fi Calling work with Fido Roam?

Yes, you can use Wi-Fi Calling while travelling abroad — for more on how Wi-Fi Calling works when travelling, visit our Wi-Fi Calling page.

I just joined Fido less than 90 days ago. Will that affect my service while travelling?

If you have been subscribed to Fido for less than 90 days, you can't make calls to numbers outside of the country you're visiting except for calls back to Canada, the United States or within the Caribbean. If you plan to make international calls, please contact us to activate international calling.

What types of activity use data?

Data usage can include uploads or downloads done by you or by apps running in the background, such as uploading pictures, streaming videos or music (when not in offline mode), using maps, checking e-mail or browsing online. Sending or receiving an MMS will trigger the Fido Roam day charge, however, the data associated with MMS does not come out of your data bucket.

What happens if I go over my data or voice usage limit while I’m using Fido Roam?

If you go over the data or minutes included in your plan, you'll be charged the domestic overage rate applicable to your Fido postpaid mobile plan as well as the daily Fido Roam charge.

Will I receive data and voice usage notifications with Fido Roam?

Even though you're away, we'll give you a heads-up about how much data you've used, like we always do. You can also track your data usage whenever you want using My Account.

We will also send you voice usage notifications, but note that voice usage incurred while roaming may be delayed on average by 3 days (up to 30 days max).

Will long distance add-ons work with Fido Roam?

If you're enrolled in Fido Roam, your plan features and add-ons will work like they normally do. Any international long distance Add-ons you have on your account will apply for calls made to international numbers outside of the destination you're visiting.

If you are visiting a destination not covered by Fido Roam, standard roaming rates will apply for international long distance calls.

Is the Fido Roam daily charge calculated per line or account?

The Fido Roam daily charge is calculated per line.

How will my Fido Roam usage appear in My Account or on my bill?

Your data, talk and text usage will appear as part of your domestic usage limits, not a separate roaming limit. The Fido Roam charge will appear on your bill for each applicable calendar day, up to a maximum of 20 days per billing cycle, per zone.

Will Fido Roam work on my tablet or mobile hotspot?

Yes Fido Roam is available with data-only plans for tablets and hotspots.

Pay-Per-Use

Why am I unable to track my voice or text usage while roaming?

Our data roaming rates provide real-time data usage alerts as you use up your data. Unfortunately, these alerts aren’t available for voice or text usage since we rely on our roaming partner networks to provide this information. As a result, we typically do not receive this usage information for up to 30 days after the usage occurs, which means we can’t provide it in real time to you

How do I know which roaming options are on my account?

To see if you already have a roaming option on your account, go back to the main roaming options page and select the destination you’re travelling to. Any roaming products that you have on your account will say ‘Already on your account’.

How can I check my roaming usage while I am travelling?

If you are consuming data at pay-per-use rates you can check your current data roaming charges by texting USAGE to 3330. If you are calling or texting you will not be able to view your usage on in real time.

How can I get in touch with customer care when I am roaming?

If you encounter difficulties or need assistance with roaming while you are outside of Canada, there are many ways you can contact us.

What types of phone activity uses data?

Data usage can include uploads or downloads done by you or by apps running in the background, such as uploading pictures, streaming videos or music (when not in offline mode), using maps, checking e-mail or browsing online.

Sending or receiving a Picture or Video Message will trigger the Fido Roam daily charge, however, the data associated with message content is not charged and does not come out of your data bucket.

Making an emergency call?

Each country has its own emergency number (typically 9-1-1 or 1-1-2). Before your trip, confirm the emergency number for the country you’ll be visiting. In most cases, you won’t need to dial a special area code before the emergency number.

How do I turn data roaming on or off on my smartphone when travelling?

Most devices have an option to turn data roaming on or off. If data roaming is turned off, you won’t be able to use data services. If you want to use data while roaming, make sure you turn data roaming ON. You can find this under device settings.

To minimize roaming charges or avoid them altogether while travelling, you can control your data usage easily. Just follow these steps:

  1. Turn your data roaming off;
  2. Make sure the Airplane Mode setting on your phone is turned On; and
  3. Turn your WiFi on. This will allow you to use the internet on your devices when Airplane mode is on and you are connected to a Wi-Fi Network.

Important: By completing the steps above, you will not be able to make/receive calls, send/receive text messages, or use data.

How do I turn off push email notifications and service on my smartphone when travelling?

Emails can automatically download to your device without direct action from you. If you do not need to be alerted immediately by an incoming email, set your device so that it only downloads new emails when you manually check it. Instructions on how to do this are specific to each device. However, you can typically find this under the “settings” menu on your device.

How do I turn off apps running in the background of my smartphone?

On some devices, applications can run in the background even if you’re not using them. These applications can consume data without direct action from you and lead to unexpected charges. Stay in control of how and when you use data by shutting off applications that you are no longer using.