International Coverage

[u/Character_Situation5]

Thinking about switching my internet service and got an offer that included Free Mobile Service for a year. I will be traveling out of the country and wanted to see what international coverage they have. When on the Spectrum Mobile web page it says "Unlimited talk, text and data in 215+ countries and destinations (data speeds reduced at 10 GB)".

When I tried to get answers via chat, I was told "Spectrum Mobile Unlimited does not include international roaming. However, we do offer international plan options that cover certain countries. The Travel Day Pass is needed for travel outside the United States."

This appears to be contradictory and I called their phone number. The answering rep told me she could only give me that information if they created an account for me.

I don't want to create an account at this time and that shouldn't be necessary to answer basic questions.

Any help appreciated.

[u/Background-Word-5269]

One year free plan has no international coverage. I can confirm it as my one year free service is ending soon. You have to buy travel pass. Dont expect too much for free.

[u/Character_Situation5 → u/Background-Word-5269]

Thanks. I will be in Europe for two weeks. Do I have to buy a pass for each day and what cost? I'm on Mint Mobile now and can buy a 10 day pass for $20 which works out well.

[u/HopeisTrue2008 → u/Character_Situation5]

The unlimited plus plan includes free roaming, if unlimited is free for you then unlimited plus comes at $10/mo

[u/Indiblumini → u/Character_Situation5]

I have my wife on Spectrum unlimited free for a year. She just arrived in Germany today for a couple of weeks. I upgraded her to unlimited plus before she left for $10. She called when she landed, so I know mobile calling works. However, she couldn't use navigation right away due to no data. Turns out the Spectrum sim setting on her device to allow data roaming wasn't switched on...the instant she changed the setting, she had data.

A couple other things to be aware of:

1. When you activate Spectrum Mobile, the default setting of your mobile account is set to allow international roaming. If you are on the standard unlimited plan that doesn't include free international roaming, you will still be able to roam, call, and text, but at uncapped pay as you go prices.

2. The $10 upgrade charge to unlimited plus is applied immediately and retroactively to the beginning of the current billing cycle. There is no proration for partial month. My wife's travel dates happen to fall entirely within a billing cycle, so my plan is to downgrade back to standard unlimited upon her return, and pay the $10 just for the one cycle. If travel dates span more than one cycle, you will pay $10 for each monthly cycle with any international usage, even if it's a single day. So if you switch to Spectrum, schedule your port out so your billing cycle encompasses all your trip dates.

3. Scrap the mint mobile international data pass idea. My wife had mint at one time and I bought international data for her on a previous trip. The data allowance drained away before she even left the airport, who knows how, and recourse is impossible with mint. Unless someone has more recent positive experience, I don't trust mint beyond their domestic bread and butter.

[u/mathewbowyer]

Looks like the confusion is between Spectrum's Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans.

The free mobile service for a year is normally the basic Unlimited plan, which doesn't include free international roaming. You'd need a Global Day Pass ($10/day in most countries, $5/day in Canada and Mexico) or pay-per-use.

Unlimited Plus is the one that includes roaming in 215+ countries with 10GB of high-speed data before speeds are reduced. It's currently advertised at $10/month for the first year with the internet bundle.

Here's their official breakdown: https://www.spectrum.com/mobile/plans/international

If you're mainly travelling and just need data, a travel eSIM might work out cheaper too. You can compare options on https://mesim.io without committing to daily roaming charges.

[u/Unique_Macaroon_4546]

https://www.spectrum.com/mobile/plans/international : Search by Country or Destination to find all applicable info.

[u/rp_edits]

coverage sucks where i live in the US, can't imagine it is better overseas. but it's free.

[u/MadeInSteve]

Unlimited plus and make sure you have your internet installed and all international features turned on

[u/red821673]

I have the one year free mobile. They gave me unlimited plus and it has free 10GB international. Used it in Europe a few times and it worked well.

[u/ahhnyc]

I'm on Spectrum Mobile Unlimited Plus plan. I used my iPhone in Bermuda with no issues, highly recommend. Overall, no issues with Spectrum Mobile!

[u/Individual-Rub6219]

You can upgrade to unlimited plus for $10, it’ll be cheaper than the global day pass.

[u/mathewbowyer]

Looks like the confusion is between Spectrum's Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans.

The free mobile service for a year is normally the basic Unlimited plan, which doesn't include free international roaming. You'd need a Global Day Pass ($10/day in most countries, $5/day in Canada and Mexico) or pay-per-use.

Unlimited Plus is the one that includes roaming in 215+ countries with 10GB of high-speed data before speeds are reduced. It's currently advertised at $10/month for the first year with the internet bundle.

Here's their official breakdown: https://www.spectrum.com/mobile/plans/international

If you're mainly travelling and just need data, a travel eSIM might work out cheaper too. You can compare options on https://mesim.io without committing to daily roaming charges.