Review of Overseas Roaming with 2degrees NZ: Guide to Staying Connected Internationally

International roaming plans help to stay in touch with family and friends, make local calls and get work done when travelling abroad. Plus, using an existing mobile plan to purchase a roaming option can be more convenient than finding a local SIM overseas. 2degrees is a provider of international roaming plans so if you’re a New Zealand resident who wants to use their mobile when travelling outside the country, here is a comprehensive guide on how 2degrees works and what to expect.

2degrees International Roaming Plans

2degrees, a trusted name in New Zealand’s mobile phone and broadband services, offers an affordable international roaming plan. You can use the plan in many countries worldwide without restrictions on calls, text messages, and data usage.¹

2degrees has network service partnerships with almost all the top mobile service providers globally, allowing you to connect abroad without needing a new SIM. For example, they have arrangements with Optus (VoLTE and 5G), Telstra (VoLTE), and Voda AU(4G) in Australia and Airtel (VoLTE) and BSNL in India.²

If you are travelling for work, 2degrees has Business international roaming plans, with free access in Australia.

For leisure and personal travellers, let’s take a closer look at 2degrees roaming packs, rates, charges, and data services globally.

2degrees Roaming Coverage, costs, and benefits.

As an existing user of the 2degrees network, you can use your NZ plan in over 100 overseas destinations for $8 NZD per day per device. This includes popular travel spots like the US, the UK, Australia, India, China, Japan, and nearly the entire European continent, ensuring wide global coverage.

However, different call and SMS text rates apply in countries not included in the $8 NZD roaming plan. These countries include Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Uganda, and Nigeria, among others. Travellers to these countries can also purchase a 500MB data roaming add-on pack for $57 NZD.

Travellers from New Zealand to 21 specific countries like Bhutan, Namibia, Mauritius and the Seychelles won’t be able to access data services as these countries are included in the “No Data Destinations” list. If you’re travelling to these countries and want access to the internet, you may want to consider another provider.

If you’re not sure if your destination is covered, you can head to the 2degrees website and type in the country to see coverage details.

$8 NZD per day 2degrees roaming pack

Here are some of the main features of the 2degrees $8 NZD roaming pack:¹

• An unlimited number of calls and no cap on call length.
• Most destinations allow 300 kbps speed, however, after 1GB of data use per day, the maximum speed may be reduced to 128 kbps.
• This plan generally includes free incoming calls. However, while roaming in certain countries, such as Fiji, Cook Islands, Western Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea, incoming calls cost $1.15 NZD per minute.

In-flight and cruise ship roaming facilities are available with this plan. The 2degrees roaming charges are in addition to the $8 NZD and are as follows:

$57 NZD Roaming Add-on pack

For countries not included in the $8 NZD per day roaming plan, users can purchase an additional add-on pack for data. There are 66 countries covered in the pack and it offers 500MB of data.

The following call and text rates apply to NZ travellers for countries within the $57 NZD Roaming Pack:¹

No Data Destinations

The following call and text rates apply to NZ travellers visiting the 21 “No Data Destination” countries:¹

As per the name, this plan is only mobile and SMS service so no data is available.

No Service Destinations

2degrees does not offer any services - mobile or data - in nearly 40 countries, including Bahrain, Iran, North Korea, Ukraine, Syria, and others.¹

2degrees Customer Care Contact

2degrees users can contact the International Roaming Helpdesk by phone or email:³

• Call: +64 22 200 200 from anywhere overseas
• Call: 0800 022 022 from within New Zealand
• Call: 200 from a 2degrees mobile
• Email: Complete the form on the 2degrees website

How to Set Up and Activate 2degrees Roaming

Setting up and activating 2degrees international roaming is fairly simple:⁴

1. Figure out which plan would fit your trip and budget best.
2. When you arrive at your destination, switch off your Airplane Mode and connect to a cellular network.
3. Enable roaming services on your Android or iPhone.
4. Android Phones - Go to settings - Select Connections - Click Mobile Networks - Select Network Mode - Choose from the options available (5G/4G/3G/2G(auto connect))
5. iPhones - Go to settings - Choose Mobile data - Click Network Selection - Turn on “Automatic.”
6. You will receive a welcome text from 2degrees about accessing their roaming services.
7. Once you've activated 2degrees overseas roaming services, you can start using it to make calls, send texts, and access the internet as you would on your home network.
8. The international roaming services get automatically deactivated when you return to the home network in New Zealand.

Generally, you don’t need to do anything beforehand to activate 2degrees international roaming at $8 NZD and you will be billed for the plan cost. However, for destinations that require you to purchase a Data Add-on, you must follow the instructions in the welcome text to enable data roaming.

Top Up / Recharge 2degrees from abroad

You don’t need to top up or recharge 2degrees from abroad because international roaming services are activated automatically when you enable roaming services on your smartphone.⁵

If you travel to the destinations covered in the $8 NZD per day plan, you incur the charge per day for using the phone abroad. If you purchase the $57 NZD 500MB Add-on plan, you can use data up to 500MB; you can text Y to 237 to purchase the data Add-on.

You can always check your balance usage when travelling with the 2degrees app.

Alternatives to 2degrees International Roaming

2degrees international roaming is the best way to remain connected with your friends and family while travelling out of New Zealand. However, those without a 2degrees plan, or if you are looking for more options, can consider one of the following:

• Depending on their subscription, NZ residents can use the international roaming services provided by Spark NZ, One NZ, or Skinny NZ. Check out our full guides on each to find a plan that works for you.
• International roaming can start to add up, especially over time. If you plan an extended stay overseas, getting a local SIM at your destination can be a good option. A local SIM will allow you to make cheap local calls, and messages, plus help to stay in touch locally if you settle abroad.
• You can use the local Wi-Fi network at your destination - like hotels and other places where open Wi-Fi is available- to communicate with your friends and family, send emails or update social media.

Travel Smart with Wise: Save on International Transactions

Going abroad can be exciting, but it can also make a dent in your wallet. To save money, sign up for Wise. Wise lets you make international transfers right from your mobile or computer, from or on the go. If you are planning a trip and need to make reservations, Wise can help you secure your reservations with direct local payments.

Wise uses smart tech to make local payments in bank accounts abroad in over 160+ countries. That means you can send money for bookings, reservations or travel costs and your recipient gets the money in their local currency in their bank account. All you’ll pay is one low transfer fee on each transfer.

Sign up for Wise today

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate on every transfer, so you don’t lose money to extra fees like at a bank or credit card. Instead, you get a transparent exchange rate that can save you money. So before you head abroad, see how Wise can make international payments simple.

And if you want an easier way to spend money overseas, check out the Wise multi-currency account. It is one account where you can send, spend, and hold over 40+ currencies and pay locally with a linked debit card. Learn more about using your Wise card abroad.

Sources verified on 30 August 2024.