Although they may seem the same to you, they are not. For this reason, it is always important to know how they differ. More than anything, because if you don’t make sure of this, you may end up paying more on your next mobile rate bill.
International calls and roaming are two different things. For this reason, the different operators always make it clear how they differ. Although, if you’re still in doubt, you’d better take a look at this.
How roaming is different
This particular service allows users to use the mobile network of our phone abroad, either to use mobile data, to make calls from abroad or send SMS. In any case, this occurs when we go outside of Spain.
In this case, we will not overpay when roaming within the European Union. For example, it is free in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, as well as Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland, among other countries. Although, outside the EU, the price will be different depending on the operator and depending on the area:
- In Zone 2 we can find countries such as Albania, Andorra, Algeria, Bermuda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, United States, Guernsey, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kosovo, Macedonia, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro or Puerto Rico.
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Zone 3: Rest of the countries of the world not included in Zone 1 or Zone 2.
What are international calls
Once it is clear to us that roaming is a service that allows us to use data, make calls or send text messages when we are outside of Spain using the mobile network of an operator on our phone, it is time to know what the International calls.
Unlike roaming, international calls are those that are going to be made from Spain abroad. For example, if we call from Spain to a phone in France, Germany or Australia. This also applies if we are roaming and make that type of call, applying the rates defined by our operator.
Keep in mind that the cost of these calls will depend on the country in which the number you are going to call is located. In addition, it must be taken into account that calls from Spain to countries of the European Union, including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, were set, as of May 15, 2019, a maximum of 19 cents per minute (VAT not included). for calls abroad under Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 11, 2018.
Therefore, if we are going to call other countries outside the EU and the other three that we have mentioned, we will have to consult the prices of each operator according to the destination and the type of line (mobile or landline). More than anything, because it will not cost us the same to call a cell phone from the United States than one from China. Just like the price is not the same for a mobile line as it is for a landline phone number.
