Roaming
Roaming is a general term in wireless telecommunications that refers to the extending of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. The term “roaming” originates from the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) sphere. Traditional GSM Roaming is defined (cf. GSM Association Permanent Reference Document AA.39) as the ability for a cellular customer to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services, including home data services, when travelling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network. This can be done by using a communication terminal or else just by using the subscriber identity in the visited network. Roaming is technically supported by mobility management, authentication, authorization and billing procedures.
Roaming is an expensive, but easy way to use your cellular phone while outside Canada. Without roaming your phone may still work, but after dialing a number you are often asked for a credit card to charge the call to. Calls without roaming agreements between your provider and the roaming provider are typically $4/min US and up. If your provider has an agreement with the provider in the area you are travelling then your costs will be significantly cheaper, but never as cheap as your home rates.
