2degrees roaming FAQs

We’ve simplified roaming to help make it easier for you to work on the go. If you do have any queries, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions right here. And if you need even more details, please refer to the Roaming Terms and Conditions page.

How do I set up roaming on my mobile?

Before you arrive at your overseas destination, be sure to turn on Data Roaming from your phone’s setting. Once you’ve done this, all you need to do is turn off flight mode on your phone and connect to a cellular network in your overseas destination. You’ll then receive a welcome text from 2degrees. If you’re travelling in a Daily Roaming destination, you can start roaming immediately.

Please note, if you’re on Prepay, your plan must be active before accessing roaming services.

If you’re in a destination where you need to purchase a Roaming Data Add-on, follow the instructions in the welcome text. If you do not purchase a Roaming Data Add-on, you will still be able to call and text for a great rate, but you will not be able to use mobile data in that destination.

How do I set up Roaming on my iPad or tablet?

If you’re a tablet or iPad user in a Daily Roaming destination, roaming services will be activated upon turning off Flight Mode on your device. If using your tablet or iPad in Roaming Data Add- on destination, you first need to insert the device’s SIM card into a mobile phone and connect to a cellular network in your overseas destination. Then text ‘Y’ to 237 to purchase the $57 Data Add-on which comes with 500mb of data.

You’ll receive a confirmation text to let you know your Roaming Data Add-on has been purchased. You may then replace the SIM card back into your tablet or iPad

What if I don’t want to use 2degrees Roaming while I’m travelling?

If you don’t want to use roaming while you're away, make sure you keep your phone on Flight Mode. You will be unable to access the internet or receive or make texts or calls when your device is in Flight Mode. However, if you turn on WiFi, you will only be able to connect to the internet and check emails once you sign into an available WiFi network If you have a compatible phone. You may also be able to use WiFi Calling to make local and international phone calls to standard numbers in NZ and Aussie using your plan’s minutes which will be charged as if you were making a call while still in NZ.

Calls made over WiFi to destinations other than NZ or Aussie, and any calls to premium numbers (including to Aussie or NZ) will incur NZ international toll charges.

Will my phone number change?

No. Friends and family in New Zealand can use your regular number to contact you when you’re overseas. If you’re travelling internationally and want to make a call, you need to include the International Calling Code of the destination you’re calling. Even if the number you’re calling is within the destination you’re currently in.

If you want to call 022 123 456, simply drop the ‘0’ and replace it with the country code which starts with ‘+’.

New Zealand’s International Calling Code is +64, which means that to call the above number you would dial +64 22 123 456.

Every country has their own International Calling Code. To find the codes for other destinations, please search on countrycode.org

What will it cost me to make a call while I’m roaming overseas?

What will it cost someone to call me if I'm overseas?

When you're roaming overseas, the person calling you pays the same as if you were in NZ.

Will it cost me if someone calls me while I’m overseas?

It will cost you $1 per minute to receive a call in the following situations:

• you’re not in a Daily Roaming destination
• you are in these Daily Roaming destinations:
  • Cook Islands
  • Western Samoa
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Nauru
  • Fiji

In these situations, it may be cheaper to make a call from your destination than to receive a call. We suggest asking your friends, family, and colleagues to send you a text and let them know you’ll call them back whenever possible. The Daily Roaming rate will not be charged when your phone receives a call in any of the Daily Roaming destinations listed above. However, if you let the call go to Voicemail, Daily Roaming rates will apply.

How do I make a call or send a text?

If you’re travelling internationally and want to make a call or send a text, you need to include the International Calling Code of the destination you’re calling. Even if the number you’re calling or texting is within the destination you’re currently in.

For example, if you want to call 022 123 456, simply drop the ‘0’ and replace it with the country code which starts with ‘+’. New Zealand’s International Calling Code is +64, which means that to call the above number you would dial +64 22 123 456

Every country has their own International Calling Code. To find the codes for other destinations, please search on countrycode.org

How can I monitor my usage when I’m away?

When you’re overseas, we suggest turning your phone on Flight Mode for a few seconds. Then turn Flight Mode off and log into the 2degrees Mobile App to get the most accurate estimate of how much data you’ve currently used. You can also go online to Your 2degrees and click on Your Usage.

You can also just dial *100*1# to check your balances from your mobile phone. Your current balances will be displayed on your screen.

What happens if I exceed the included allowance of my NZ plan?

If you’re in a Daily Roaming destination and continue using your NZ plan minutes, texts and Carryover Data after your allocation is gone, you’ll be charged your plan’s standard rates for calls and texts for the destination you are in. A better idea might be purchasing a NZ Add-on, as this could deliver better value for money. For example, if you run out of data while roaming, you could buy a 1GB NZ Data pack.

How are the Daily Roaming rates charged?

A day is counted as 00:00 to 23:59 NZ time. If you travel to multiple $8 Daily Roaming destinations in a day (or to a $8 Daily Roaming destination and any other overseas destination in a day), you will only be charged the daily rate once.

How do I set a limit to the total amount I spend on roaming?

Spend Control is a handy tool for Pay Monthly plans. It keeps an eye on your total spend (including any extra Add-ons you may purchase). Set up Spend Control online by logging into Your 2degrees or in the 2degrees App. If you set your limit, we’ll notify you when you are within $10 of it. If necessary, you can then increase your limit. Find out more about Spend Control here.

How do I monitor how much data I use while travelling?

You can check your balance or remaining data in the 2degrees Mobile App or online through Your Usage in Your 2degrees online. We’ll send you a notification text if your data is low or has expired. If you're using an iPad or tablet, you won’t receive text alerts, so please remember to check your balance online, or by using the App.

How do I reduce my data usage when roaming?

A safe way to avoid incurring costs as you travel is to keep your phone in Flight Mode as you travel. When on Flight Mode, your phone will not use any data nor will it be able to make or receive phone calls. Here are some other ideas to help you manage your data usage:

• Connect to WiFi and hotspots in your hotel or at cafes and restaurants during your travels. Be aware that if the WiFi signal is weak, your phone may switch to and start consuming mobile data. We suggest you turn off WiFi Assist (for Apple) / Smart Network Switch (for Android) as these services cause your device to switch to mobile data when a WiFi signal is low.
• Some apps might operate in the background and use significant data even if your screen isn’t on. Check your App Store or Play Store settings and consider setting your phone to only update apps or perform backups when connected to WiFi.
• Switch off subscriptions to podcasts, internet radio and any other streaming media/apps.
• Download offline maps when you have access to free WiFi, so you don't have to use data to navigate a foreign destination. On Google Maps, search for the city you'll be visiting, then tap the city's name in the middle of the screen and tap the Download button that appears on the next screen. You can see and manage all of your downloaded maps in the ‘Offline maps’ section of the app.
• From our end, we reduce your speeds down to 128Kbps after you use 1GB per day. This should also help you manage your data usage.
• Turn off the auto-play function on video-streaming or social media apps and look for settings that will limit your mobile data usage.
• Use WiFi Calling on your 2degrees phone to make and receive calls and texts rather than using online messaging services. See below for more on this.
• Be aware of how much data the 'thing you're doing' actually uses – see below for examples of how much data popular activities can use.
• If you’ve chosen to divert all calls to Voicemail before you leave NZ, any calls that get automatically diverted (even when your phone is on Flight Mode) will not be charged.

How much data does my phone use in a day?

Data usage will vary depending on several factors including the device model, device settings, network used and application settings. Check out this handy guide for some estimates on how much data you could use on a 4G network. Please note, this information is a guide only.

Source: New Zealand Telecommunications Forum Inc International Mobile Roaming Guide, 14 June 2018, Version 3

There are 1024kb (kilobytes) in 1MB (megabyte), and 1024MB in 1GB (gigabyte).

Actual data used will vary depending on the size and quality of media, and you may notice your usage change while travelling internationally. For example, you may spend longer looking at maps or using ride-share apps but less time streaming bandwidth-hungry videos.

How does Voicemail work while I’m overseas?

You can choose how you manage your Voicemail overseas. One option is to divert all calls to Voicemail.

• To divert or forward all calls to Voicemail and retrieve the messages later, dial *004*222022000**21# from your phone and divert calls to +64 22 202 2000.
• To listen to your Voicemail messages from overseas, dial +64 22 202 2001 (international roaming charges will apply but will be covered by Daily Roaming if you’re in a Daily Roaming destination)

You'll be charged for the inbound call to your phone once you let it go to Voicemail. You will also be charged when you call your Voicemail to listen to your message. In most Daily Roaming destinations, these charges are treated just like you’re in NZ (free) but in these destinations the incoming call will be charged at $1.15 per minute: Cook Islands, Western Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Fiji.

To help you avoid unwanted costs, we'll automatically turn off your Voicemail when you head overseas and turn it back on when you return to NZ. But if you choose to divert all calls to Voicemail, you need to cancel that divert when you return to NZ.

What is WiFi Calling?

WiFi Calling uses a WiFi connection to make and receive phone calls and texts over the internet instead of using cell phone towers. The person calling or receiving your call does not need to have WiFi Calling enabled for this service to work. WiFi Calling is easy to use with no apps to download, or packs to buy and because it does not require mobile coverage or data, it may help reduce roaming costs. Find out more about WiFi Calling.

What is VoLTE?

VoLTE allows you to make high-definition (HD) calls from your mobile using our 4G network. Simply put, when you make a voice call over VoLTE, you connect quicker and enjoy a clearer connection with reduced background noise. Read more here about using VoLTE roaming.

Can I use Data Clock while roaming?

No, sorry, our Data Clock app is not available while you’re roaming overseas. When you return to New Zealand, you’ll be able to use Data Clock again.

I’m having trouble connecting to an overseas roaming network, what can I do?

If you’re experiencing issues connecting to a roaming network, make sure your phone’s Network Search mode is on ‘Auto’ which is found under Settings and then Network on your phone (or Carrier on iPhones). If this doesn’t fix the issue, then power off your phone for one minute then restart.

When you roam overseas, you use networks that aren’t controlled by 2degrees. While we expect those networks to provide a quality service, we can’t be responsible if there are performance or other issues.

What are the terms and conditions for 2degrees Roaming?

Here are the basics:

• >You must have an active 2degrees plan to be able to access these services
• >Use your NZ minutes, texts and data for $8 per day in over 100 selected destinations. The Daily Roaming rate applies each day you use your phone, including to make or receive calls (including via voicemail), send texts or use data. In these destinations the incoming call will be charged at $1.15 per minute: Cook Islands, Western Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Fiji.
• >Normal plan charges apply
• >Exclusions apply including International Chat Pack and international calls are subject to separate rates
• >Cruise ship and in-flight roaming are subject to different rates.
• >Fair Use Policy and Roaming Terms and Conditions apply

All the finer details you need can be found right here.

Should I connect to WiFi when I’m overseas?

Where possible, we recommend connecting to WiFi to use the internet, instead of using your Mobile Data. If the WiFi connection drops, your handset may default back to using mobile data unless you turn mobile data off altogether when overseas.