Roaming with Fido: All You Need to Know

There are many things you can do and see in Canada, but sometimes you just want to go overseas. Backpacking in South-East Asia? Awesome! City-trips in Europe? You bet! Looking at Zebras in Africa? Exciting? Seeing a Kangaroo for the first time? Go for it. Getting to these destinations may require some paperwork, but could be worth it. But should you bring your Fido phone with you? Can you roam with Fido? Where can you roam and how much does it cost? Is it even worth it? Let's find out today.

Can I roam with Fido?

Both Fido Prepaid and Postpaid customers can roam in 230 destinations. Postpaid customers can roam with Fido Roam, which allows you to roam with your plan's minutes, texts, and data in select destinations for $12 per day or $7 in the United States. Pay-Per-Use roaming is available to all customer types, although Prepaid customers cannot data roam.

No idea how roaming works? I made this comprehensive guide about what roaming is and how it works. It is worth the read – promised!

What do I need to know about roaming with Fido?

Both Fido Prepaid and Postpaid customers can roam around the world. Fido Postpaid subscribers can take advantage of Fido Roam, which allows you to roam in 167 destinations for $12 (Canadian Dollars – CAD) a day (or $7 if traveling to the US, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands).

If your destination is not covered by Fido Roam, then Pay-Per-Use roaming rates apply. Postpaid customers can opt-out from Fido roam if they wish to roam on Pay-Per-Use roaming rates, although that is not recommended, as it can become expensive quickly. You would be better off not roaming at all than on Pay-Per-Use rates.

Fido Prepaid customers are unable to data roam in any destination. They have to use WiFi hotspots to get connected to the internet or use WIFI hotspots.

What is Fido Roam?

With Fido Roam, you can use the data, minutes, and text of your subscription while abroad at a fixed fee ($7 or $12). For example, if your plan includes 10 GB, 200 texts, and 500 minutes, then you can use those GB, texts, and minutes in Fido Roam destinations.

There are two versions of Fido Roam:

• Fido Roam US for $7 per day
• Fido Roam International for $12 per day

Fido Roam International covers destinations in Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania – Mexico is included as well.

All Postpaid subscribers are automatically subscribed to Fido Roam, but you can check your status by texting TRAVEL to 222.

Fido Roam automatically starts when you use your phone when abroad, which is making a call, sending a text, or using data. If you do not use any of these features, then you will not be billed. You will only be charged for the days you are roaming, not the days you are abroad.

Fido Roam is not destination-bound, meaning that if you are visiting multiple Fido Roam destinations in one day, let's say Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium, you would be charged only $12 for that day instead of $36 (3*$12). This makes Fido Roam an attractive for those who visit multiple destinations in one trip.

However, you will be charged twice if you are traveling between zones and use any of the roaming services.

Let's say you have a layover in the US before heading to Brazil within 24 hours. You would trigger Fido Roam US and Fido Roam International because of the stop in the US. As a result, you would pay $7 + $12 = $19 for Fido roam for that day alone.

When using Fido Roam, you will pay for up to 15 days per billing cycle, meaning that your roaming bill will not be higher than $180. You can roam for more days in a billing cycle without getting charged extra – $180 is the maximum you will be charged.

Where can I use Fido Roam?

Fido Roam can be used in many destinations around the world. Below you can see where you can use Fido Roam. Destinations listed with * are Fido Roam US destinations, which costs $7 per day.

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What else do I need to know about Fido Roam?

You can opt-out of Fido roam by calling Fido Customer service at +1 (888) 481-3436 and let them know that you want to roam on Pay-As-You-Go roaming rates.

Fido Roam is not available to those with Data and Text only plans, and Fido Prepaid customers cannot use Fido Roam. You can make WiFi calls when abroad. For more information about Fido WiFi calling, see this page.

Fido Roam cannot be used on cruise ships or airplanes nor for satellite calls.

It may take up to 120 days before your roaming usage details and charges appear on your bills.

Fido Pay-Per-Use Roaming rates

Pay-Per-Use roaming can be used in all destinations covered by Fido Roam and most not covered by it. You cannot roam in the following destinations:

Fido customers who do not want to use Fido Roam, have a prepaid plan, or are visiting destinations not covered by Fido Roam can roam on Pay-Per-Use roaming rates.

Fido uses zones for its Pay-Per-Use Roaming rates, meaning that the roaming rates are somewhat standardized. However, the roaming rates for Postpaid subscribers can differ from the ones for Prepaid customers.

Fido uses the following zones:

• United States
• Mexico
• Caribbean
• Latin America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia & Middle East
• Oceania
• Premium

Note that these are the zones Fido uses for its pricing and may not correspond to the actual geographical location of the destination. A destination that is typically considered to be part of the Caribbean may be listed under the Latin America zone or vice versa.

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US Prices

Postpaid

• $1.45 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $7.99 per 50 MB ($0.16/MB)

Prepaid

• $2.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Mexico Prices

Postpaid

• $3.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 10 MB ($1.00/MB)

Prepaid

• $3.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Caribbean Zone

These prices apply to 29 destinations:

Postpaid

• $3.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 10 MB ($1.00/MB)

Prepaid

• $3.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Latin America Zone

These prices apply to 22 destinations:

Postpaid

• $3.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 10 MB ($1.00/MB)

Prepaid

• $3.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Europe Zone

These prices apply to 61 destinations:

Postpaid

• $2.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 20 MB ($0.50/MB)

Prepaid

• $2.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Africa Zone

These prices apply to 55 destinations and satellite usage:

The following Pay-Per-Use roaming rates apply to destinations in the Africa zone:

Postpaid

• $4.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 3 MB ($3.33/MB)

Prepaid

• $4.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Asia & Middle East Zone

These prices apply to 46 destinations:

Postpaid

• $3.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 10 MB ($1.00/MB)

Prepaid

• $3.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Oceania Zone

These prices apply to 11 destinations:

Postpaid

• $3.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $9.99 per 10 MB ($1.00/MB)

Prepaid

• $3.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

Fido Premium Zone

These prices apply to Cuba, cruise ships, and airplanes:

Postpaid

• $4.00 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• $15.00 per MP

Prepaid

• $4.50 per minute
• $0.75 per text
• Data roaming is not available

It may take up to 120 days before your roaming usage details and charges appear on your bill.

Where can I roam with Fido?

Fido customers can roam in 230 destinations around the world, which are shown below. Be aware that you cannot use Fido Roam in some of these destinations:

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Can I roam on planes with Fido?

Both Fido Prepaid and Postpaid customers can roam on select airlines and planes. It looks like you can roam on aircraft with OnAir roaming facilities. You will be charged per premium destination rates, which are:

• $4.00/min (or $4.50/min for Prepaid)
• $0.75/text
• $15.00/MB (Postpaid only)

Can I roam on cruise ships with Fido?

Both Fido Prepaid and Postpaid customers can roam on cruise liners and cruise ships. You will be charged per premium destination rates, which are:

• $4.00/min (or $4.50/min for Prepaid)
• $0.75/text
• $15.00/MB (Postpaid only)

Is roaming with Fido worth it?

The Fido Roam program is a convenient way of roaming abroad while keeping expenses predictable, which makes it worth to consider.

You can use your minutes, texts, and data in many destinations for $12 a day (or $7 if visiting destinations categorized under Fido Roam US). Those who are visiting multiple destinations in one trip can certainly benefit from Fido Roam.

One thing that I like is that after using Fido roam for 15 days, Fido will not charge you more if you decide to roam longer. If you are roaming for 20 days, you will get 5 days for free (if in the same billing cycle). However, before you can roam for free, you would have spent up to $180 on roaming, which is not cheap.

The thing with Fido Roam is that it can be expensive. If you are visiting an international destination for 3 days, you would have spent $36 on roaming. For that money, you can get a local sim for less in most destinations. Therefore, Fido Roam should be used in moderation for a maximum of three days, I would say.

Prepaid customers have no choice, but I would avoid roaming on Pay-Per-Use rates, especially if your destination is covered by Fido Roam. Those charges are just too high and not worth it.

For example, you would pay $9.99 per 3 MB (or $3.33/MB) if you were to visit Ghana, Nigeria, or Morocco. If you were already planning to use data in these destinations, you are better off with Fido Roam.

In terms of calling, the Africa zone is the most expensive one. Making a call in Cameroon costs you $4 a minute. If you plan on making a call lasting longer than 3 minutes, then you would be better off with Fido Roam

One benefit of not being able to data roam as a Prepaid customer is that you cannot use up all of your credit by accidentally watching a YouTube video on data instead of WIFI. The con is that you do not get the option to do so.

Postpaid subscribers should avoid data roaming on Pay-Per-Use rates, as it will add up quickly.

If you really need the internet, use WIFI hotspots and get on internet-based apps like Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, or Skype to stay in touch with your friends.

Lastly, do not data roam on cruise ships or airplanes. I would avoid maritime and in-flight roaming in general, but getting charged $15 per MB is almost criminal. Imagine watching a 10-minute YouTube video on 1080P by accident – oops!

Plus, airlines and cruise liners that offer roaming usually have onboard roaming facilities too, which is better to use – even if you have to pay for it.

In short, roaming with Fido Roam is something you can consider. I would not use it for more than 5 days in the US or 3 days internationally, as you can get a local sim for that price. Pay-Per-Use roaming is expensive and should be avoided, especially if you are in a Fido Roam destination.