4 ms·

What is this roaming thing and why is it so expensive? Does it connect to a different internet? Seriously, though; we all use the same (couple of different bra

by aib 7y ago

What is this roaming thing and why is it so expensive? Does it connect to a different internet? Seriously, though; we all use the same (couple of different brands of) phones to connect to the same (couple of different brands of) station hardware to get through to the same global network. A small difference in the choice of stations shouldn't make a large difference in the amount of cost reflected.

joecool1029 7y ago
>What is this roaming thing and why is it so expensive? Networks need to negotiate mutual roaming agreements. Verizon and others didn't give a shit for many years, billed absurdly high rates to their own customers and paid whatever the roaming network wanted. Now you can get reciprocity... maybe Telus customers in Canada want to roam free/cheap on Verizon, and Verizon starts caring and wants to roam free on Telus. They make an agreement where there's no roaming cost. Obviously this can go wrong if either company overloads the other, but it's how modern agreements work Domestic roaming is different. In this case, providers will work together favorably if it's a regional and a national carrier trying to extend out each other's coverage footprints (good example would be T-Mobile roaming on US Cellular because they have similar spectrum holdings, but in different markets). Now where the gouging kicks in is between direct national competitors: I remember seeing court filings from T-Mobile suing AT&T for them billing something like $17/MB for roaming access to their 3G network in underserved areas. The suit was because AT&T had to provide roaming access as part of their acquisition breakup agreement, but the agreement never stipulated the exact cost for that roaming arrangement. T-Mobile wanted the court to enforce a 'fair market value' on it. TL;DR: Company needs to give a shit about its customers to properly negotiate international roaming arrangements, or bill them at an absurd enough rate that they won't incur a loss.
- thinkloop 7y ago
  Add to that that it's in no carrier's interest to have agreements and for them all to "over" bill their customers. Only when one carrier breaks the unspoken agreement (and starts taking customers) do others have to acquiesce. Thank you T-Mobile.

by aib 7y ago

joecool1029 7y ago

>What is this roaming thing and why is it so expensive? Networks need to negotiate mutual roaming agreements. Verizon and others didn't give a shit for many years, billed absurdly high rates to their own customers and paid whatever the roaming network wanted. Now you can get reciprocity... maybe Telus customers in Canada want to roam free/cheap on Verizon, and Verizon starts caring and wants to roam free on Telus. They make an agreement where there's no roaming cost. Obviously this can go wrong if either company overloads the other, but it's how modern agreements work Domestic roaming is different. In this case, providers will work together favorably if it's a regional and a national carrier trying to extend out each other's coverage footprints (good example would be T-Mobile roaming on US Cellular because they have similar spectrum holdings, but in different markets). Now where the gouging kicks in is between direct national competitors: I remember seeing court filings from T-Mobile suing AT&T for them billing something like $17/MB for roaming access to their 3G network in underserved areas. The suit was because AT&T had to provide roaming access as part of their acquisition breakup agreement, but the agreement never stipulated the exact cost for that roaming arrangement. T-Mobile wanted the court to enforce a 'fair market value' on it. TL;DR: Company needs to give a shit about its customers to properly negotiate international roaming arrangements, or bill them at an absurd enough rate that they won't incur a loss.

thinkloop 7y ago
Add to that that it's in no carrier's interest to have agreements and for them all to "over" bill their customers. Only when one carrier breaks the unspoken agreement (and starts taking customers) do others have to acquiesce. Thank you T-Mobile.