Will non-EU roaming ever have a cheaper option?

[goldcd]

After bouncing around a few operators, now on Smarty and extremely happy so far.
Runs like a rocket in UK, good reception (so far), price is great, setup/number-porting smooth, 12Gig roaming in EU is more than I'll ever need - only thing spoiling my complete happiness, is the cost of non-EU roaming.

I think anywhere I'm likely to travel is on Three's list of "Go Roam" non-EU countries (e.g. US) - but only option on Smarty is to pay 10p a Meg. Now that's not absolutely horrific, but you're not going to be using your phone with joyous abandon.

Any chance of there ever being another option - Daily charge? More premium monthly option?
I understand you might not want to cannibalize from Three with the only differentiator I can see, but I'm not paying per Meg. I'll just buy a local PAYG or an e-Sim from travelsim - which is a bit of hassle. 
You're so close to making Smarty perfect.. So so close..

[MSF]

Realistically speaking, the cheaper offshoots from the main networks are, in my opinion, cheaper because they offer a slightly pared-down offering. They can cut costs by offering some limitations and bu operating mostly online.

Having been with one other MNVO, they also did not offer the full service in terms of non EU roaming.

I think it's a question of finding an acceptable compromise. If you spend a lot of time travelling in non EU countries, then that could shift the emphasis on what is important and you might find a 'full' network a better proposition in terms of what they offer.

From what you say, sounds like Smarty are ticking most of your requirements at the moment though 😀.

[Chalkychap]

I was in Australia earlier this year. For my trip I purchased a data only eSIM, which wasn't difficult.

Added £10 credit to my account (to cover any unexpected calls et cetera), switched OFF mobile data for the SMARTY SIM card, turned ON mobile data for the eSIM.

Bingo! A cheap roaming solution, which worked well for me.

I guess Three UK don't want SMARTY Mobile to steal all their customers, by offering equivalent plans, add-ons, et cetera.

[George]

It's a great thought @goldcd - SMARTY are always looking to improve and hopefully something may change in the future!

[goldcd]

Thanks for all the replies.

I do understand that:
MVNOs want to keep their offering simple to maximize profit on a slim charge.
They may not have agreements in place with other OpCos (not case here, as Smarty seems very much part of H3G)
Don't want to cannibalize from their main brand (I suspect the case here)
Smarty is still pretty good (I think Lebara (the international call specialist), if I can read their website, charges a stupendous £14.99 a Meg in the US...) - I did check a few and Smarty was the best.
I can use a local e-SIM or get a dedicated roaming one - if I find I'm leaving the EU.
etc

Was really just an idea for the suggestion box, that this was an area that could be improved upon.
e.g. Just have a £10 cap on the daily roaming charges. 
Clearly a worse deal than Three offers - but tolerable enough that for a few days travel, I can just use my phone as normal.

[Chalkychap]

On the roaming agreements piece - iD Mobile, another MVNO using Three UK's network, have an extensive list of roaming agreements.

iD are an independent company, not linked to Three UK or Hutchinson, so looks like worldwide roaming can be provided by an MVNO without a big impact on their UK pricing.

I wonder how much mobile data you'd be offered under a £10/day cap for roaming? 

[goldcd]

I did look at ID - but seemed worse than Smarty.
e.g. Data is 30p a Meg roaming in the US (Smarty is 10p) - and couldn't see any bundles/caps to bring that down.

I think Three charges a flat £5 a day, to use your phone as you would at home (so no cap, other that whatever monthly limit you have). Was just thinking similar would be what people would want.

[Chalkychap]

Three UK's £10 PAYG SIM only plan includes a level of inclusive roaming in 71 destinations worldwide. A little research is necessary to check the roaming terms for the destinations you're most likely visit.

If you set the plan to auto-renew, you'll get an extra 5GB/month of data in your plan's allowance.

[goldcd]

Oh *&^&
I hadn't thought to look at Three's PAYG - I think that might have been what I should have gone with. Thanks for the pointer though.

[Chalkychap]

Despite setting up SMARTY, Three UK still have a small number of PAYG plans available.

All these plans have some kind of inclusive roaming allowed in 71 destinations worldwide - but do look at the destinations you're planning to visit before deciding.

The solution I used for roaming outside the EU was to purchase a cheap data only eSIM, and use this for my roaming data along with an add-on for my SMARTY SIM - just in case I needed to take a call or send a text while overseas.