Things to know about VoLTE and Roaming
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If you’re off overseas, you don’t have to leave your device at home, just make sure that your Data Roaming settings are turned on and you’ll be able to use your New Zealand plan in most overseas destinations.
When you roam overseas, you use networks that aren’t controlled by 2degrees. While we expect those networks to provide a quality service, we aren’t responsible if there are performance or other issues. Here is a list of the roaming networks providing 2degrees’ roaming services overseas.
How does roaming work?
You don’t need to buy a roaming pack before you go, we’ll send you a text when you arrive in your destination and let you know which roaming service you can access.
If you’re the planning type, you can use our roaming page before your trip to see if the place you’re flying to is included in the over 100 destinations where Daily Roaming is available. In these destinations, you can use your New Zealand plan’s data, minutes and texts for an additional charge of $8 per day.
In some other destinations where Data Roaming isn’t available, you can choose to buy a $57 Roaming Data Add-on which will give you access to 500MB of roaming data for one month.
If you really want to turn off Roaming services while you're away, simply head to the Mobile Data section of your phone's Settings. Find Data Roaming and switch it off on iOS or untick it on Android. Switch it back on when you return to NZ to ensure you get the best possible coverage.
What is VoLTE?
VoLTE stands for Voice over Long Term Evolution or LTE which is another name for 4G. VoLTE allows you to make high-definition (HD) calls from your mobile using our 4G network. Simply put, when you make a voice call over VoLTE, you connect quicker and enjoy a clearer connection with reduced background noise.
Will my mobile phone work overseas?
If you're travelling overseas with your 4G or 5G capable phone and you have Data Roaming turned on, you shouldn’t have any problem accessing all the services you need. If you’re headed to the USA or Canada, you need to make sure the mobile you take supports the American or Canadian network frequencies. North American mobile networks run on 850MHz and 1900MHz, so check your phone will run on one of these before you hop on the plane.
If you want to take your phone overseas but want to avoid all roaming charges, you can turn off Data Roaming while you're away. You will only be able to connect to the internet and check emails if you use WiFi. Switch it back on when you return to New Zealand to ensure you get the best possible coverage.
Roaming with VoLTE
Around the world, our network partners who support roaming are retiring their 2G and 3G networks. This will help free up frequency spectrum and network resources for their 4G and 5G networks. As a result, when you now roam in countries where 2G and 3G has been switched off, you will need a to ensure the following:
- You have an eligible 2degrees mobile plan
- You have confirmed your destination is VoLTE roaming-enabled
- You have a VoLTE compatible device
- You have enabled mobile data and VoLTE on your device
Can I use 2degrees roaming services in VoLTE roaming destinations?
If you have a VoLTE roaming-compatible device and are travelling to a VoLTE roaming-enabled destination, you can use a 4G on a 4G or 4G/5G network to make and receive calls. Read more here about using VoLTE roaming. With the launch of VoLTE roaming, 2degrees will automatically connect you to a local network operator to aim to provide the best connection experience. It's important to know that mobile operators in some countries are either starting to or have already shutdown their 3G networks. This means that without a VoLTE capable phone, you won't be able to use voice services while roaming. You can check if you have a VoLTE enabled phone here.
Not all destinations have established their VoLTE networks yet, however these networks are being updated and improved all the time. Use this list of overseas roaming networks to confirm whether you travel destinations will require a VoLTE enabled phone.
