How to save on Globe roaming charges

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For all things tech, especially related to Globe and BlackBerrys, I always take advice from the mother of techies, Pia Magalona.
Here’s a money-saving tip she gave me when I went to Hong Kong.
I have used this three times, and each time I had to ask her, “What’s that tip again?”
So finally I am posting it so next time I need the tip, all I have to do is Google “chuvaness pia magalona globe tip.”
With this I was able to keep my BlackBerry on at all times, use Twitter and BBM without fear of getting a heart attack-inducing six-figure phone bill.

Additional info from Pia:
1) This is only for data roaming; calls and sms/texts are still charged roaming rate. Please check with Globe before you leave.
2) Save your confirmation message after subscribing so you have proof because most of the time when your bill arrives, the data roaming charges MAY appear in there so it’s better to have the info still in your phone.
3) Overall, this saves one a whole lotta money when travelling abroad.
There’s also PowerRoam for countries such as the US and European nations, but that’s another story.

Pia Magalona

Globe Telecom’s Bridge DataRoam Unlimited is applicable to the following countries:
Hong Kong (CSL), Singapore (Singtel), Thailand (AIS), Malaysia (Maxis), Macau (CTM), Australia (Optus), Taiwan (Taiwan Mobile), Indonesia (Telkomsel), India (Bharti Airtel), and South Korea (SK Telecom).
The cost is:
US$ 10 for 1 (one) day
US$ 27 for 3 (three) days
US$ 40 for 5 (five) days

All you have to do is text a message to 2884, depending on the country and service you want to avail.
For example, I did: BDU Hong Kong 40
I texted this on the day I left for Hong Kong, knowing I will be there for five days.
If you activate the unlimited data roaming service on the same day you signup, you don’t need to indicate the start date in the SMS format.

You can also text:
BDU[space]Country[space]Denomination[space]Start Date mm/dd/yy
For example, if you want to stay in Singapore from February 1-3, 2011 and want to avail Globe Telecom’s unlimited data roaming for 3 days – text
BDU Singapore 27 02/01/11 and send to 2884.

Note that if you sign up for the unlimited data roaming while in abroad, your account will be charged for the transaction using the current roaming rates. So it’s better to signup while you’re still here in the country to avoid additional charges.
Try it!!

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  • Caloy Macabunga

    Hi, what if you’ll be staying for 10 days in a particular country? Can you do like “BDU Australia 80 09/10/2012″ or should it be ” “BDU Australia 40 09/10/2012″ and then another “BDU Australia 40 09/15/2012″?

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  • http://www.facebook.com/chris.blunt48 Chris Blunt

    US$40 for 5 days of roaming data is definitely much better than Globe’s regular rates, but it’s still quite a lot of money.

    When I go to Hong Kong I use a local 3G SIM card available from Three. You can load it with HK$100 (around P540). The maximum daily charge for data is capped at HK$28, so HK$100 worth of load will last you a full 3 days.

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  • Makre Dimaunahan

    Thanks for the tip! Yet sorry for the makulit question: In case for 1day, will only 10USD be reflected on the monthly bill? My BB is a company phone, i’m just scared the finance person will nag me about the shocking charges. Thanks thanks thanks!

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  • Michael

    Does anyone know when it’s best to use BDU and when it’s best to use PowerRoam?

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  • http://www.facebook.com/benzcorana Benz Co-Rana

    Chuvaness saves the day!

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  • Michelle Uy

    So if you’re using iphone, you can click the facebook button and not be charge anymore? Or is there a specific address lang that you can open like if the address starts with “m” (m.yahoo.com)?

    @Pia Maria Magalona,

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  • tseetsai

    hello…. jut want to ask, do i need to deactivate my bb social on and subscribe to power roam before leaving the country. Does it automatically runs when i got to another country? and… do you happen to know “snaptu” is it working overseas upon wifi connection? Thank you guys…

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  • EB

    great tip! when you say data roaming, does it apply to blackberry roaming service as well? because locally, globe differentiates between unlimited surfing and unlimited blackberry. so i’m just paranoid that after signing up for BDU, and i turn on BB roaming, i will still get charged for BB roaming. maybe those who’ve tried can chime in. thanks in advance

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    CVS Reply:
    August 9th, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    yes I think so

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  • Mimi

    We’re in HK now and hubby subscribed to BDU before leaving Manila and got a confirmation text. Upon arriving in HK a day after, he got this text message from 2884:
    IMPT ROAMING ADVISORY> Sorry, this service is only available for prepaid subscribers. To activate ur roaming, pls call 211 or visit any Globe Business Center.
    Weird. His line is post-paid and roaming service has been activated before.

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    CVS Reply:
    August 9th, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    i’m postpaid too. wonder what happened

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    corey cruz
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    August 12th, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    I got the same message when I was in Shanghai this weekend, and my post-paid account is also roaming-activated!

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  • Yvonne

    Thanks for the info! I received a P70K bill from Globe after our month-long European vacation and I only used data roaming to update my Facebook status and Twitter. I just need to know more about Power Roam for our next trip. Love this post!

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  • Moonflower0172000

    is this only for postpaid users? how about prepaid users?

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Only for postpaid users.

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  • http://twitter.com/geolette Geolette Esguerra

    Thanks for the tip! This would be really useful when I travel. Wait, so Email, BBM and Twitter will always be available? :-)

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    yes

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  • goldielucks

    Or you can all connect via WhatsApp messenger or Viber :)

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    You still need data service to use WhatsApp, etc. ;)

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    Winnie Chan
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    August 2nd, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I think wifi lang pwede sa WhatsApp and Viber. You can”t use them even if you have data service but no wifi. Please correct me if I’m wrong. :D

    EDIT: Pwede pala, just tried it. :D

    [Reply]

  • Pia Maria Magalona

    Thanks! Additional info (which I emailed to Cecile but which she didnt include here) FIRST, this is only for data roaming; calls and sms/texts are still charged roaming rate–pls check w Globe before you leave.
    SECOND, save your confirmation message after subscribing so you have proof because most of the time when your bill arrives, the data roaming charges MAY appear in there so it’s better to have the info still in your phone.
    Overall, this saves one a whole lotta money when travelling abroad.
    There’s also Power Roam for countries such as the US and European nations, but that’s another story. Check Mr Google. ;)
    MABUHAY!

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    thanks and added it!

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    pretty sure I posted everything you wrote in your email, but thanks for this. just posted it.

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Ay sorry Cecile! I wrote the other stuff pala on BBM. Oops! Sorry sorry I love ya! <3

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    thanks Pia!

  • Mikozee

    The only problem with this is you need to manually select the applicable roaming partner. If you accidentally have network selection on automatic the moment the signal is low for a particular roaming partner, your phone would choose the roaming partner with the strongest signal in the vicinity and the phone would usually reconnect if you have set the mobile internet as automatic.  

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    The roaming partner is indicated in the confirmation message. :)

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  • Les

    Can this still be done while on the BB SOCIAL service? Or do we need to turn it off before using the DataRoam? :)

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  • Abet Ong

    ‘te, what if Im using an iPhone can that apply to me? I think I have to go to your house and pick up the blackberry on Aug 12.

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    puede sa iPhone

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  • http://twitter.com/nappyKAYE First Wives Club

    What’s the text and call rate when you use this for roaming charges?

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    Starvin Mail Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 10:45 PM

     BDU is only for data. but you can Power Roam with globe http://site.globe.com.ph/web/19543/1088?sid=Tja858uxpRYAADPdeF0AAACLe

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    CVS Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    thanks! even I didn’t know that.

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Yes I mentioned Power Roam for other countries. :)

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    Pia M Reply:
    August 1st, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    25php per sms roaming. Incoming and outgoing. Current rate.

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    Denice June L. Vallar
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    January 28th, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Do i need to unsubscribe to my blackberry max subscription to avail BDU?

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    CVS Reply:
    January 30th, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    no you don’t