Turn off One roaming while overseas

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Turn off One roaming while overseas

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#323307 17-Nov-2025 12:16

We are just back from Australia. Given One now charge $10 per day for roaming in Aus, we decided to purchase a E-SIM plan through Airalo for less than half the cost of roaming via One.

I wasn't 100% sure what to do to ensure One didn't apply the $10 charge regardless, so I removed the SIM card for certainty. However, I would prefer not to do this is future, so some questions:

One send a welcome to country text on arrival which says use your phone as per normal, roaming rates apply. Qu: On receipt of this text, have we already incurred our first day of $10 charges? I assume no.
Qu: Is turning roaming off in mobile settings all that is required to ensure daily roaming charges are avoided? I assumed this likely to be the case, but removed SIM as well to be sure.
Qu: Can I make phone calls and send SMS text messages and not be charged daily roaming? I assume yes.
Qu: Is there differential pricing for using phone and SMS while traveling? eg if I call an NZ mobile number from Australia, will this be free per my standard One plan, or will One charge extra for this as I am calling from outside NZ?

Thanks in advance.

1 | 2 | 3

4012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2710

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#3435202 17-Nov-2025 12:40

The only way to do this is to have a OneNZ explicitly block roaming any not every CSR knows how to do this without messing things up

When that is done your OneNZ sim simply won't connect to any overseas network this is not something you can do yourself and your need OneNZ to do this for you

Once that is done, your mobile phone (at least iPhone does) will then use your e-sim data for Wi-Fi calling and texting

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

SpartanVXL

1498 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 666

#3435205 17-Nov-2025 12:59

It depends on your plan. Usually you have to activate a roaming package otherwise you get charged casual rates. If you have data roaming disabled on your phone that is usually enough to not have any charges. You will still be able to send and receive calls, receiving texts is free in majority of countries iirc, sending texts or making/receiving a call will cost (receiving if you pick up).

If your phone has VoWifi voice over wifi capabilities then all of the above is free on wifi or esim data connection. To use it over a second sim/eSIM connection you need to keep your One NZ sim active but change the Network provider setting to manual before you leave the country. On iPhone this causes the VoWifi to fallback on the second e/sim’s data connection (because it is trying to connect to One NZ in another country which doesn’t exist).

Not sure what happens to VoWifi if you tell One to disable roaming outright. It’s handy to keep as backup and not difficult to avoid charges.

tldr;

q1: No, you are just connecting to the roaming network.

q2: Yes, it stops data connection through roaming.

q3: No, you will be charged your plans roaming (casual) rates for everything except receiving SMS texts.

q4: Yes you will be charged your plans roaming (casual) rates unless your plan includes this. You only use your plans NZ minutes and texts if you use voice over wifi.

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#3435246 17-Nov-2025 14:08

nztim:

The only way to do this is to have a OneNZ explicitly block roaming any not every CSR knows how to do this without messing things up

When that is done your OneNZ sim simply won't connect to any overseas network this is not something you can do yourself and your need OneNZ to do this for you

Once that is done, your mobile phone (at least iPhone does) will then use your e-sim data for Wi-Fi calling and texting

Thanks. I do want to keep the option to roam via One open, even if I don't use it often

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#3435247 17-Nov-2025 14:18

SpartanVXL:

It depends on your plan. Usually you have to activate a roaming package otherwise you get charged casual rates. If you have data roaming disabled on your phone that is usually enough to not have any charges. You will still be able to send and receive calls, receiving texts is free in majority of countries iirc, sending texts or making/receiving a call will cost (receiving if you pick up).

If your phone has VoWifi voice over wifi capabilities then all of the above is free on wifi or esim data connection. To use it over a second sim/eSIM connection you need to keep your One NZ sim active but change the Network provider setting to manual before you leave the country. On iPhone this causes the VoWifi to fallback on the second e/sim’s data connection (because it is trying to connect to One NZ in another country which doesn’t exist).

Not sure what happens to VoWifi if you tell One to disable roaming outright. It’s handy to keep as backup and not difficult to avoid charges.

tldr;

q1: No, you are just connecting to the roaming network.

q2: Yes, it stops data connection through roaming.

q3: No, you will be charged your plans roaming (casual) rates for everything except receiving SMS texts.

q4: Yes you will be charged your plans roaming (casual) rates unless your plan includes this. You only use your plans NZ minutes and texts if you use voice over wifi.

Thanks. Just to clarify, yes I have a roaming package, but if I turn off roaming on the iPhone, then the package wont activate and casual rates will apply for calls and SMS?

And one last question - by removing the SIM from the iPhone - does that totally 'sever' the One network from the phone while the card is removed (ie. they have no idea I am travelling) or are there other settings in the phone that could still initiate additional charges while travelling?

Linux

12173 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8469

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3435274 17-Nov-2025 15:35

You can't turn off roaming the handset you can only turn off ' data roaming '

nztim

4012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2710

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#3435331 17-Nov-2025 16:04

Linux:

You can't turn off roaming the handset you can only turn off ' data roaming '

Correct, only One NZ can do this & its permanent

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

Linux

12173 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8469

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3435347 17-Nov-2025 16:29

nztim:

Linux:

You can't turn off roaming the handset you can only turn off ' data roaming '

Correct, only One NZ can do this & its permanent

SAM = OWN

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#3435423 17-Nov-2025 21:36

When we use the esim overseas, you can select on the phone which sim you want to use, and simply turned the other one off. It's even part of the Airalo installation instructions. Have never had any issues leaving the normal sim in place, the phone simply doesn't use it if it's not selected. Worked on both android and iPhone devices without any issue.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

gmball

578 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 302

#3435426 17-Nov-2025 23:49

I've always simply turned off the OneNZ line before travelling overseas, and this has avoiding activating the daily charge.

Likewise, I use e-sim's, they are significantly cheaper, including Holafly who provide unlimited data.

I'm personally very surprised with OneNZ increasing their daily roaming rates, other virtual network providers (such as Contact) who use the OneNZ network provide daily roaming for $7 vs $10.

I suspect the OneNZ price increase will have an overall detrimental impact on revenue, given it's now at a point where many are exploring E-sim options, resulting in zero revenue for OneNZ. I guess OneNZ must think otherwise, ultimately they are best placed to track their roaming revenue.

KiwiSurfer

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 993

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3436307 20-Nov-2025 22:32

gmball:

I suspect the OneNZ price increase will have an overall detrimental impact on revenue, given it's now at a point where many are exploring E-sim options, resulting in zero revenue for OneNZ. I guess OneNZ must think otherwise, ultimately they are best placed to track their roaming revenue.

Most likely coroporate revenue. Will be interesting to see at what point corporates start telling staff not to use roaming.

Grunta47

97 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 41

#3436336 21-Nov-2025 08:45

gmball:

Likewise, I use e-sim's, they are significantly cheaper, including Holafly who provide unlimited data.

I'm personally very surprised with OneNZ increasing their daily roaming rates, other virtual network providers (such as Contact) who use the OneNZ network provide daily roaming for $7 vs $10.

I suspect the OneNZ price increase will have an overall detrimental impact on revenue, given it's now at a point where many are exploring E-sim options, resulting in zero revenue for OneNZ. I guess OneNZ must think otherwise, ultimately they are best placed to track their roaming revenue.

It works both ways, as visitors to NZ would not roam and purchase an eSIM. One door closes and another opens.

And having just spent 8 nights in Sydney, I still used roaming but only turned on when needed (4 of the days), otherwise used Wi-Fi. I have 2 numbers, so one was off for the entire trip.

There will still be a market for roaming at $10 per day, as lots of people go for small trips so doing a local eSIM is not worth the hassle.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

SpartanVXL

1498 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 666

#3436340 21-Nov-2025 09:04

Grunta47:

gmball:

Likewise, I use e-sim's, they are significantly cheaper, including Holafly who provide unlimited data.

I'm personally very surprised with OneNZ increasing their daily roaming rates, other virtual network providers (such as Contact) who use the OneNZ network provide daily roaming for $7 vs $10.

I suspect the OneNZ price increase will have an overall detrimental impact on revenue, given it's now at a point where many are exploring E-sim options, resulting in zero revenue for OneNZ. I guess OneNZ must think otherwise, ultimately they are best placed to track their roaming revenue.

It works both ways, as visitors to NZ would not roam and purchase an eSIM. One door closes and another opens.

And having just spent 8 nights in Sydney, I still used roaming but only turned on when needed (4 of the days), otherwise used Wi-Fi. I have 2 numbers, so one was off for the entire trip.

There will still be a market for roaming at $10 per day, as lots of people go for small trips so doing a local eSIM is not worth the hassle.

Not sure what this means. Visitors don’t purchase sims here at all, they use overseas providers that are significantly cheaper to roam here. Some overseas providers do roaming here for cheaper than our local plans.

And for travelling from NZ you can get a esim service for a week or more for the cost of a days roaming from the telcos here. It’s a no brainer, even for a day or two as long as it’s cheaper than $10. The hassle is as simple as buying it online and activating a qr code for the esim.

KiwiSurfer

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 993

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3436346 21-Nov-2025 09:53

SpartanVXL:

And for travelling from NZ you can get a esim service for a week or more for the cost of a days roaming from the telcos here. It’s a no brainer, even for a day or two as long as it’s cheaper than $10. The hassle is as simple as buying it online and activating a qr code for the esim.

For those travelling for work the option is:-

(1) Roaming. Telco then adds the roaming cost to the invoice which is paid for as usual by your company's finance department. Basically zero hassle for the end user. At my employer all the finance team does is query the roaming charges and I say "Yes I worked overseas in xxx from xx to xx" and the rest is sorted out easily.

(2) Buying an eSIM. Means you end up having to claim back the cost -- going through yoru company's process for receipt claims, manager approval, reimbursement back to your bank account, etc.

There is still a strong market for roaming for people who travel for work.

But for personal travel yes the lower of getting a local/travel [e]SIM is definitely worth looking into for travel longer than a few days. Personally I do roaming for 1-3 days as it's still cheaper and/or less hassle, otherwise I look into local SIM.

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#3436520 21-Nov-2025 21:26

Grunta47:

There will still be a market for roaming at $10 per day, as lots of people go for small trips so doing a local eSIM is not worth the hassle.

No hassle. 3 day eSIM for Australia = approx $10 and takes less than 5 mins to buy & go live.

alasta

6888 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3362

Trusted

Subscriber

#3436601 22-Nov-2025 11:16

I get that a travel eSIM would work well for data, but what about phone calls? Surely you would miss any incoming calls on your NZ number and any outgoing calls would show an unknown foreign phone number on the recipient's caller ID?

1 | 2 | 3