Roaming

What is Roaming?

In wireless telecommunications, Roaming helps to make sure that a travelling wireless device, typically a mobile phone, is kept connected to a network, without breaking the connection.

For example, if you travel beyond your mobile phone company’s transmitter range, your mobile will automatically “hop on to” another phone company’s service, where it is available.

Who is Roaming valuable for?

• Operators
• Consumers

What are the benefits of Roaming?

• Sustain seamless user experience in both home and visit network.
• Use data to access the internet.
• Make and receive voice calls.
• Send and receive messaging.
• Access other services (e.g. home data services) while travelling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network.

How the GSMA is helping Roaming

The GSMA through our Networking Groups (NG) and the Wholesales Agreements & Solutions Group (WAS), defines Roaming architecture and specifications, making Roaming work smoothly for all telecom services, including data, voice and messaging.

More information

The Networks Group (NG) specifies technical, operational and performance requirements to support International Roaming and interworking, taking into account technology evolutions.

The Wholesale Agreements and Solutions Group (WAS) is responsible for Operator-to-Operator and Operator-to-Hub interoperability (including Interworking and Roaming) to provide GSMA members with a consistent, reliable GSM service for members to offer their customers.

Additional Resources