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T-Mobile International Phone Plans – Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

Andrew Kunesh

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Keri Stooksbury

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Breaking Down T-Mobile’s Free International Data

512 mb international day pass, 5 gb international pass, 15 gb international pass, which t-mobile data package is right for you, how to sign up for an international data package, t-mobile’s supported countries (free and paid), pros of t-mobile’s international data plans:, cons of t-mobile’s international data plans:, final thoughts.

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Having an international data plan can make international travel  a lot easier. You have instant access to maps and can keep in touch with your travel companions without worrying about purchasing a new SIM in each country.

For years there’s been 1 big issue with international data plans: the cost. Plans were expensive and had low data limits with limited coverage. Depending on your itinerary, this could have added a huge extra expense even though it may not have worked for the entirety of your travels.

Thankfully, though, that’s no longer the case.

For the past few years, T-Mobile has offered most of its post-paid customers free international data and texting in over 210 countries worldwide. And while this has a few quirks, its price-point and list of supported countries make it one of the best mobile data options for most travelers.

In this article we’ll walk you through all of the quirks and features of T-Mobile’s international data plans. We’ll take a look at the different plans available, discuss what features each plan includes, and show you which countries are supported.

By the end of the article, you should have an understanding of if T-Mobile’s international data plans are right for you.

Let’s get started!

As discussed earlier, T-Mobile includes free international data and text with 2 of its 3 smartphone plans: Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus.

This sounds great on paper (because it is!), but there’s 1 major quirk to be aware of: your data is limited to 2G speeds at roughly 128 Kbps on the Magenta plan and 256 Kbps on the Magenta ® Plus plan.

This isn’t quite as bad as it sounds, though. Even though data is slow, it’s more than enough for using Google Maps and sending texts through WhatsApp and iMessage. However, you won’t be able to stream video, post photos, or otherwise use the internet without some serious loading time. In many cases, we’ve seen web pages actually time out and not load at all.

The good news is that there’s no data cap when you’re roaming. This means you can use as much data (and send as many texts) as you’d like, and you’ll never have to worry about an exorbitant bill at the end of a long trip abroad. However, the amount of data you’ll actually be able to use will be limited due to the plan’s exceptionally low speed.

Do note that travel to Canada and Mexico is not limited to these low speeds. Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus plans get 5 GB of complimentary 4G LTE per month in the 2 countries, then revert to the slower speeds we discussed earlier. This means you’ll have a largely seamless experience when traveling within North America, something invaluable for business travelers and tourists alike.

While texting and mobile data are included, note that calling is still subject to an extra charge. We’ve found that most countries charge $0.20 to $0.25 per minute, with others charging slightly more. We’ll include calling costs in the supported countries table later in the article.

Buy a T-Mobile Data Pass for Faster Speeds

Need something faster than 2G data abroad? Thankfully, T-Mobile offers a variety of international data packages that let you use full 4G LTE speeds when traveling to any supported country worldwide. There are 3 of these plans currently offered and each comes with a different data limit and — naturally – price point.

Each of these plans has 1 thing in common: data packages aren’t restricted to 1 specific country. If you’re planning a trip around Europe, you can use the same high-speed data package throughout the entirety of your journey. You don’t need to worry about notifying T-Mobile or dropping extra money when crossing another border.

Additionally, each of the 3 plans includes Smartphone Mobile Hotspot at no extra charge. This means that multiple people can share 1 international data pass over Wi-Fi from the subscribed device, making it perfect for families and couples traveling together.

Here’s a look at each of the 3 high-speed data packages:

The 512 MB International Day Pass costs $5 per day and includes — as the name suggests — 512 MB of high-speed international data for 1 day.

This plan also includes unlimited calling for the day, making it perfect for keeping in touch with friends, family, and business partners back home.

The 5 GB International Pass includes 5 GB of data and unlimited calling for up to 10 days . This plan costs $35 per 10 day period, making it a great option for week-long trips around the world.

T-Mobile’s highest international data pass is the 15 GB International Plan. This plan costs $50 and lasts 30 days, giving you a whopping 15 GB of data and unlimited calling to work with.

With so many data packages available, it might seem hard to pick 1 for your trip. Here’s a quick look at why you may pick 1 plan over another.

Stick with complimentary 2G data if you…

• Only want to use maps, instant messaging, and email.
• Don’t need to download email attachments or other large files.
• Plan on being in a big city and close Wi-Fi hotspots during your travels.
• Don’t want to use your phone too much during your trip.
• Want to save money at the expense of better connectivity.
• Can use FaceTime Audio, Skype, or WhatsApp for calling.

Buy a 512 MB International Day Pass if you…

• Need to do light web browsing for restaurant recommendations, etc.
• Plan on sending a few picture and video messages on a daily basis.
• Are taking a short trip abroad.
• Need to make phone calls back to the U.S.

Buy a 5 GB International Pass if you…

• Are traveling for 7-10 days.
• Want to stream music and light video for entertainment.
• Need to browse the internet more heavily for business or leisure (during long train rides, etc.).
• Make phone calls back to the U.S.

Buy a 15 GB International Pass if you…

• Are traveling for more than 10 days.
• Plan on tethering your phone to your tablet or laptop to your phone to share its internet connection.
• Plan to be away from free Wi-Fi hotspots (countryside travel, etc.).
• Do data-intensive work and need to send files when working remotely.

Bottom Line:  Think about how you use your phone when you travel. The less you use it, the lesser of a data package you need.

Free international roaming at 2G speeds is automatically enabled. When you land in a new country, you’ll get a text message confirming that you’re in a supported country and that you’re not liable for charges (see example above).

Signing up for an international data package is simple, too. The plans don’t require any type of contract or other commitment, and you can sign up for a plan whenever you want through the T-Mobile app or website. Here’s how to add a data package through the T-Mobile app:

• Log in to the T-Mobile app on your smartphone.
• Tap Account and then tap  “Add Ons”  next to the Primary Account Holder’s field.
• Tap Manage Data & Add-ons.
• Tap the checkbox next to the pass you’d like to add to your account.
• Tap  Continue  and then tap  Change Date  if you’d like to choose a start date for your pass. If you don’t select a date, the pass will start immediately .
• Click Agree & Submit  to load the plan to your account.

That’s all there is to it. Your international data package will start on the date you set, and you can enjoy high-speed international data wherever you are in the world.

T-Mobile offers mobile data roaming in 210+ countries worldwide. You can view the entire list of countries on T-Mobile’s international travel website — just type in the name of the country you plan to visit , see if mobile data and texting are supported, and check the price of pay-as-you-go calls.

Note that most tourist-heavy countries  are supported — in fact, we’ve found it hard to find countries that aren’t supported by T-Mobile’s international data plans. However, we recommend checking before your trip regardless so you’re not met with any surprise mobile data charges.

Pros and Cons of T-Mobile’s International Data Plans

As you can see, T-Mobile offers pretty compelling mobile data plans. Before you make a purchasing decision, it’s important to take a look at the pros and cons of T-Mobile’s international plans in 1 place. So without further ado, here they are:

• Complimentary mobile data (at 2G speeds) and text messaging, great for maps and instant messaging.
• Low-cost LTE plans with a variety of data options — there’s truly a plan for everyone.
• LTE plans all include unlimited international calling.
• Expansive coverage in 210+ countries, so you can stay connected when you travel.
• Complimentary data is too slow for most online activities like web browsing and streaming.
• International calling is expensive without a premium data plan.
• T-Mobile has a spotty coverage map in the United States.

Overall, we think that T-Mobile’s international data offerings are stellar because of its diverse variety of international data plans. Those that just need maps and texting can stick to the free base plan, while business travelers and others that need faster data and mobile hotspot can upgrade to a data package.

Further, we’re also huge fans of the peace of mind you get with T-Mobile’s international plans. Since all Magenta ® and Magenta ® Plus customers get complimentary data, there’s no worrying about overage charges if you run out of high-speed data. Just make sure to keep an eye on your calling as unlimited calling is only included if you purchase a data package.

Safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the t-mobile essentials plan come with international data and texting.

T-Mobile Essentials plan only includes 2G data in Canada and Mexico. Other countries are not included with this plan.

Can I use my cell phone in a different country?

Most modern smartphones are configured to work internationally. You may want to check your phone’s owner’s manual or call T-Mobile to check if you have an older phone or are unsure if your cell phone works outside of the United States.

Does T-Mobile offer discounts for seniors and active duty members of the military?

Yes, T-Mobile offers discounted service for those over 55 and active members of the military. These plans are called Magenta® Unlimited 55 and Magenta® Military. Check T-Mobile’s website for pricing and further details on these plans.

Can I bring my existing phone if I switch to T-Mobile?

Most modern smartphones can be brought to T-Mobile. Use T-Mobile’s compatibility tool to check if your smartphone is compatible with T-Mobile’s network.

Can I call international phone numbers with my T-Mobile smartphone?

You can, but you will pay a per-minute fee. Check out T-Mobile’s international calling page for country-by-country pricing.

Does T-Mobile offer in-flight Wi-Fi for its customers?

Yes! All T-Mobile customers get unlimited messaging (iMessage, Facebook, etc.) and 1 hour of free in-flight internet on Gogo-enabled flights. Plus, Magenta® Plus customers get unlimited in-flight internet on all Gogo flights.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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T-Mobile expands travel-focused ‘Coverage Beyond’ benefits

Over the summer, T-Mobile announced its new "Coverage Beyond" suite of benefits for wireless subscribers.

The benefits, which launched June 21, include free airline Wi-Fi and expanded high-speed international data coverage, as well as other perks such as free AAA membership, booking deals on Priceline and even some limited gas discounts.

"With summer travel demand up and inflation affecting everyone, we're looking to connect our customers differently," T-Mobile's consumer senior vice president Kevin McLaughlin told TPG in an interview at the time. "We know there's a huge desire to get back to travel, and we're going to help people connect to the world better, and save money, too."

Moving forward, this coverage will now include United Airlines in addition to the three airlines — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines — that T-Mobile launched the program with.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Expanded high-speed international data coverage

As part of its Coverage Beyond initiative, T-Mobile will offer its Magenta MAX and Business Unlimited Ultimate plan to customers; it includes 5 gigabytes of free high-speed data at up to 5 GB speeds each month in more than 200 countries worldwide.

The expanded access will be automatic, with no opt-ins or sign-ups required.

"Our customers want to step off the plane with their phone and want it just to work," McLaughlin explained.

If those customers use up the 5GB of data, they can either sign up for a day pass for a fee or continue to use data at 256 kilobytes per second rates.

Regular Magenta customers (and those with most business plans), as well as customers with comparable Sprint plans, will automatically receive 256 KB per second for international data access worldwide. This is double the current speed; it's good enough for email, texting and basic GPS directions, but not much else.

Additionally, customers will have 5 GB of high-speed access in the 11 Deutsche Telecom-covered countries (Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia).

This is in addition to current free texting access in all destinations. T-Mobile customers' current benefits in Canada and Mexico (for most plans) will continue with 5 GB of high-speed data and free calls.

Related: What are the best international phone plans?

Free airline Wi-Fi

This launch is a relief for airline passengers facing high Wi-Fi fees and slow access speeds. Beginning June 21, T-Mobile began offering free high-speed streaming access on select Alaska, American and Delta flights, according to McLaughlin.

United has just announced it will join other airlines in offering free Wi-Fi to T-Mobile users. "If you're an eligible T-Mobile customer, starting this fall, you'll get free inflight Wi-Fi on all domestic and international flights," according to United's website. "Availability on flights operated by United Express will soon follow."

Details on United's program start date and eligible plans have not yet been released. It's likely that users will have to be on the T-Mobile Magenta plan to receive this service. Stay tuned for details.

The Wi-Fi access will be available on flights covering a "robust domestic market," McLaughlin explained. This will be based on specific airline carriers' technical capabilities and satellite connections. T-Mobile is currently working with multiple satellite carriers to maximize its coverage across several airlines and airplane types. Some international flights will provide T-Mobile Wi-Fi coverage.

Unlimited free airline streaming Wi-Fi connections will only be available for the full flight length if you are a customer in T-Mobile's top-tier Magenta MAX and Business Unlimited Ultimate plan. Those with equivalent Sprint plans will also benefit.

However, regular customers shouldn't fret: T-Mobile's Magenta plan and others will include free Wi-Fi connectivity for four full flights each year, with a free hour of access on any additional flights. In other words, customers using T-Mobile's existing free or discounted access for services such as Apple TV, MLB Network and Netflix will now be able to stream entertainment on select flights.

Related: What you need to know about airline wi-fi pricing

Bonus travel benefits with AAA, Priceline and Shell

T-Mobile's Coverage Beyond program isn't just for jet-setting international travelers. The company has reserved some benefits for domestic road trippers as well.

With a new partnership, T-Mobile offers free AAA membership (a $60 value) and 24-hour roadside assistance to all customers on Magenta, Magenta MAX and certain business plans. (Note: The AAA membership will auto-renew at market rates unless canceled.)

T-Mobile also included a 25-cent fuel discount at Shell gas stations through the week of Labor Day, and similar offers could be available in the future. McLaughlin told TPG that T-Mobile is expected to continue offering fuel discounts to customers "more in the 10 cents per gallon range" as part of its "T-Mobile Tuesdays" app-based rewards program.

An interesting wildcard in T-Mobile's suite of new benefits is its "T-Mobile Travel with Priceline" discount travel booking program. T-Mobile customers now have access to exclusive Priceline.com hotel and rental car deals; they can book airline tickets through the program as well.

TPG hasn't tested the booking system yet. However, customers have saved $100 per night on Hawaii hotel rooms and received $900 in discounts for a six-day Miami holiday, according to T-Mobile's press release.

Related: Gas prices continue to surge, 5 ways to save at the pump

Bottom line

T-Mobile's new travel benefits will be great for existing subscribers and could be an incentive for others to join the program or upgrade.

Many of the best features are only available for T-Mobile's top-tier (and higher-priced) plans of Magenta MAX and the Business Unlimited Ultimate. However, even regular Magenta subscribers will enjoy notable benefits such as increased airline Wi-Fi, international coverage and AAA membership.

The gas program discounts are marginal at best, but with inflation this summer, every little bit helps.

The Best Cell Phone Plan for Travelers Just Got Even Better

By Paul Brady

T-Mobile announced today that its standard-issue cell phone plan will now cover you in more than 200 countries worldwide for no additional fee, the carrier announced today . T-Mobile already offered excellent coverage internationally—with more than 140-plus countries included—and now they’re pretty much everywhere. The enhanced service will be automatically available to anyone with a T-Mobile ONE plan, starting July 22.

The welcome news deserves one big caveat, which is that this coverage comes at 2G speed—far slower than what most of us are used to at home, where zippy 4G LTE is the norm. T-Mobile has a solution for that, too, in the form of a newly announced “daily data pass,” that gives you up to 512 megabytes of truly high speed data in any of those 210 countries for $5 a day. (The price also includes fully unlimited calls; texts are already included with Simple Global.) That service, which customers can buy through the T-Mobile app, comes online August 1.

What if you don’t want to switch phone plans just for the overseas service? We’ve got a hack for that, too: The Skyroam Solis is a hockey puck–sized portable hotspot that offers 4G speed in TK countries, costs $9 a day, and connects to any Wi-Fi–enabled device regardless of carrier. Our editors have successfully used it around the world, including in South America, North Africa, and in Russia just a few weeks ago, during the World Cup. “The portable device kept me online everywhere,” writes Condé Nast Traveler editor Megan Spurrell , “and because it connects to data networks, not public Wi-Fi, it lessened the security risks of not using a VPN. One $9 day pass let me connect up to five devices to the network at once, so the price is even more appealing for those traveling as a group.” The only knock we’ve got is that it “only” works in 120 countries.

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