Glo Roaming SMS and Call Rates
Data gets most of the attention in roaming, but calls and texts can hurt your balance just as fast. Roaming voice and SMS are priced above home rates, and in many cases you pay even when someone calls you. If you do not know the rates before you land, you may find out from an empty balance.
This guide explains how roaming calls and texts are billed, what to check before you travel, how to keep costs down and where to find the actual rates for your destination.
| 1 | Find the roaming rates for your destination in Glo’s roaming section. |
| 2 | Note the cost of making calls, receiving calls and sending texts. |
| 3 | Decide which messages can move to apps over Wi-Fi. |
| 4 | Keep a small airtime reserve for urgent calls. |
| 5 | Check your balance after any call. |
How Roaming Calls Are Billed
When you roam, a call has more than one leg. If you make a call, you pay for the call from the foreign network to the destination. If someone calls you, you may pay for the part of the call that reaches you abroad. Rates depend on the country, the partner network and the type of number.
Receiving Calls Costs Money Too
Many people are surprised that receiving calls abroad can be charged. The caller dials your Nigerian number, the call is routed to you in another country and part of that routing is billed to you. If you do not need to take calls, tell people to message you and let calls go to voicemail or switch the phone to messaging only.
Texts While Roaming
Sending texts abroad is usually charged per message at roaming rates. Receiving texts is often free, though delivery can be slower. Bank alerts and verification codes arrive by SMS, so keep the line on even if you avoid sending texts.
Where to Find the Real Rates
Roaming rates change and differ by country, so never rely on a figure from a forum or old post. Open the roaming section of Glo’s website or app, search for your destination and note the per-minute and per-message figures. If you cannot find them, ask customer care for the current rates and write them down.
Estimating a Call Before You Make It
- Find the per-minute rate for the destination.
- Decide how long you will talk.
- Multiply the rate by the minutes.
- Check your airtime covers it with some left over.
This takes less than a minute and prevents a call from cutting off because your balance ran out.
Cheaper Ways to Stay in Touch
- Use messaging apps for calls and texts over Wi-Fi.
- Send voice notes instead of calling.
- Agree call times with family so calls are short and planned.
- Keep calls in your own country for when you are back, if they are not urgent.
Voicemail and Call Forwarding
Voicemail and call forwarding can add charges while you roam, because a forwarded call can involve two billed legs. Check your forwarding settings before you travel and switch off forwarding you do not need.
Common Mistakes
Receiving calls costs money abroad. Ask people to message first.
Sending texts is charged at roaming rates.
Forwarded calls can bill twice.
Rates change. Check the official source.
Emergency Calls Abroad
Every country has its own emergency number, and many phones can reach it even without airtime. Save the local number for your destination and your embassy contact before you go. Do not rely on your balance for an emergency, and keep a small reserve anyway.
Time Zones and Planned Calls
A call at the wrong hour wastes money on voicemail or a sleepy answer. Check the time difference, agree a regular calling slot with family and keep it short. One planned ten-minute call costs less than several unplanned attempts.
Review Your Charges After the Trip
When you are home, look at the calls and texts deducted during the trip. If a charge looks higher than the rate you noted, take screenshots, write the dates and ask customer care for an explanation and a reference number.
Questions People Ask
Usually only connected calls are billed, but confirm with Glo.
No. App calls use data, not voice minutes.
Data bundles mostly do not. Check the pack you buy.
Final Word
Know the rates, move chats to apps, limit incoming calls and check your balance often. Roaming voice and SMS are manageable when you plan them.