October 10, 2026: Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced an international-roaming offer covering more than 170 countries, according to The Indian Express’s business coverage. The development is relevant to Indian travellers who want to keep their existing mobile number active while abroad.

What international roaming does

International roaming allows a mobile subscriber to use a domestic SIM on a partner network in another country. Depending on the plan, it may support incoming and outgoing calls, text messages and mobile data. Coverage and included benefits can vary by destination and partner operator.

What should travellers check before relying on the offer?

  • Eligibility: Confirm which prepaid or postpaid plans qualify.
  • Destination coverage: Check that the specific country and local partner network are included.
  • Data limits: Review any daily allowance, fair-use policy or speed restriction.
  • Calling and SMS: Check whether incoming calls, outgoing calls and messages are included or charged separately.
  • Validity and activation: Confirm when the pack starts and how to activate or renew it.
  • Emergency access: Do not assume every service or emergency number works identically across countries.

Is roaming always the cheapest option?

Not necessarily. Travellers can compare their carrier’s roaming pack with local SIMs and travel eSIMs. The best option depends on trip length, data use, whether they need to receive calls on their Indian number and whether their phone supports eSIM.

Practical advice before travel

Download boarding passes, hotel details and essential maps before leaving, and check whether your phone has data roaming enabled. Keep an alternative way to access booking confirmations and account recovery codes in case mobile service is unavailable.

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