Help with ATT and BVI roaming charges; trying to get credit

This problem always confuses me, because my phone clearly tells me when I'm roaming, and it even tells me whether I'm digital or analog roaming. I can also set the phone to not allow roaming signals to be picked up, so either I have service from my service provider or I have no service at all.
I do have Sprint, so maybe this is an issue unique to ATT. But I just wanted to put this idea out there, since I've heard of this problem so many times before.

Greetings gcgem

I have successfully had the roaming charges credited to my account on each of the last 2 billing cycles. I was told that they will credit the roaming charges a maximum of 4 times. After that, I will be responsible for paying them.

By the time I get my glasses on to see if the incoming call is in-network or roaming, I miss the call. I believe (I'm not sure yet) but I believe that the messages left for me are incurring roaming charges as well. How in the world am I expected to do anything about that?

If AT&T has the same policy as Cingular, be very careful with regard to how you pay your bills! Cingular has stated that they have THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT to collect ANY amounts that they believe are due them, INCLUDING DISPUTED CHARGES, from ANY SOURCE they have on file. If you pay your bills using your bank account, they will simply take the money from your account. If you pay by credit card, they will simply charge your card. You can still dispute the charges but they already have their money. Getting that money back is damn near impossible.

Some other folks on the board have recommended Virgin Mobile and stated that they never see any roaming charges. I looked into the Virgin Mobile plans and you get a whole lot less bang for your buck. I'm not sure what the answer is.

We use Sprint (STT) and have never had roaming charges.

Hi,

I have Sprint and have a roaming plan that allows me unlimited, domestic roaming for an additional $5.00 per month.

That said, I will still occasionally have problems with my phone picking up a signal from the BVI, (which is considered "international" and is not covered under my plan). When this happens I contact Sprint and they always issue me a credit for the charges immediately and without question.

You might want to check with ATT and see if they offer any sort of flat fee roaming add-on to your plan. It will save you a lot of headaches (and $$$) here -- and wherever you travel.

If ATT doesn't offer any sort of a roaming plan and you don't want your phone to roam, many phones have a setting that will automatically detect and disable phone service whenever you are in a roaming area.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!!!
🙂

Greetings Mell

My plan includes free domestic roaming and "domestic" includes the US Virgin Islands. The problem is just as you stated. Calls routed through the BVI are considered international roaming and are not covered. If I set my phone to disable roaming, then I can't make or receive many calls from my home on the north shore of STT.

I just upgraded my phone. That "free" phone comes with a new 2-year commitment. That "free" phone may end up costing me a lot of money. 🙁

I hate to step on your thread, but...

I was just in the BVI this weekend.
I have Sprint and my phone is set to Sprint only and roam guard (to alert me if I am about to incur roaming charges).
I was able to use my phone for calls and internet the entire time I was there.
I gather this is b/c I could see STT from my incredibly warm and comfy spot on White Bay.

Am I going to be in for a shock on my next bill simply b/c I was in the BVI?

Edited for spell check and to add: I CHECKED MY SPRINT BILL ONLINE (didn't know I could do that) and NO ADDT'L CHARGES INCURRED!

Heh heh, if this whole mess works in reverse, it may just work out to your advantage! I hope you had a great trip, Onika, and that there aren't any surprises on your next bill.

I have that problem with AT&T (Cingular) as well. I have always had them credit the roaming charges. I tell them I was not in the BVI. Luckily I have always had calls on my bill just minutes after the roaming charges that are not roaming charges. So I tell the customer service rep - how could I get from the BVI to St. Thomas in a two- five minute time period? They always credit.

Is this problem limited to STT and STJ? I live on STX and have never had roaming when calling locally.

"Is this problem limited to STT and STJ?"

Yes, because of our close proximity to another country. (BVI)

A quick search online shows that this is not a problem unique to our area. Folks living near, or traveling near, the Canadian and Mexican borders encounter this too. The cell phone companies typically hold their customers responsible for paying the roaming charges. Perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky that they are still giving us credits.

Does anyone use Verizon wireless? Anybody have such problems them?

Verizon does not have domestic plan here...it is 69 cents per minutes roaming.....we had it forever in the states and changed to ATT/Cingular when we moved here.