Consumers have traditionally been unwilling to turn on roaming due to exorbitant tariffs, but this scenario looks to be shifting due to a combination of lower tariffs and technology.
The regional roaming scene has been transformed by several changes over the past year.
Malaysia-based Axiata last year announced a roaming promotion that enabled its customers to enjoy close to local tariffs should they roam among Axiata subsidiaries in the region.
Singapore and Malaysia, after years of talks, finally signed an agreement earlier this year that would save travelers residing in either country up to 30% for voice calls and 55% for text messages.
ASEAN’s ten member countries are also exploring the possibility of lowering roaming rates between member countries; while the region’s two major mobile alliances, the Conexus Mobile Alliance and Bridge Alliance, have launched unlimited data roaming rates between member operators to boost uptake.
Operators in Asia have been proactive in encouraging roaming, they are aware that roaming rates are very high in certain places and the only way to get people to roam would be to lower rates, says Roamware’s VP for business development Abraham Punnoose.