| VIVA knows that the mobile Internet on your smartphone is very important to you. That's why we want to remind you that international data usage is not covered under your existing local data plan. Any voice or data usage outside Kuwait is considered as an International Roaming charge.
1. You can travel the world with your smartphone
VIVA knows that the mobile Internet on your smartphone is very important to you. That's why we want to remind you that international data usage is not covered under your existing local data plan. Any voice or data usage outside Kuwait is considered as an International Roaming charge.
2. International roaming and data usage is not covered under your existing data plan
With many Internet-based applications, it's natural for users to use more data on their smartphone.
3. International data roaming can get expensive quickly
For example, opening an email with a 5 megapixel picture in it, or downloading a 3 minute video on YouTube, each takes roughly 2 MB of data. The cost would be almost KWD 12.288, based on pay-per-use international data rates of KWD 0.060/10KB.
4. The following are ways to minimize your international data roaming charges:
a) Purchase a Data Roaming Bundle. Purchasing a Data Roaming Bundle can significantly reduce the cost of data consumption while you are abroad. VIVA now offers attractive bundles to match your usage needs whilst traveling within the GCC. If you need to evaluate which bundle to purchase, look back at your average monthly data usage in past billing statements and estimate your needs based on the number of days you will be traveling abroad. Remember, streaming audio or video consumes a lot of data quickly. To learn more about our package details and rates, visit www.viva.com.kw
b) If you want to use data but not receive email automatically, you can turn Fetch New Data "OFF". Check email and sync contacts and calendars manually instead of having the data pushed to your smartphone automatically. This way you can control the flow of data coming to your smartphone.
c) If you want to place calls but not use data, you can turn Data Roaming "OFF". Turning "OFF" data roaming blocks email, browsing, visual, voicemail and downloads.
d) Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE: Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants to browse the Web or check emails. Users are not billed for data downloaded over Wi-Fi. However, keep in mind that even though your phone supports Wi-Fi and you are in a Wi-Fi hotspot, it doesn't mean that your phone is not using cellular technology. You must make sure the settings are correct on your phone.
e) Put your smartphone on Airplane Mode for Wi-Fi access only: Airplane Mode turns off the cellular and data radio, but on most devices you can leave Wi-Fi on. So, if you have wireless Internet access, you can still go online with your device and avoid the data roaming charges.
f) If you want to use data and keep an eye on your data usage while abroad: Reset the usage tracker to zero - When you arrive overseas, access the usage tracker in the general settings menu and select reset statistics. This will enable you to track your estimated data usage while abroad. Several smartphone applications are also available to track data usages.
When using your service for either voice or data outside Kuwait, international roaming rates apply. Voice and data usage will be charged at international rates. For a complete list of countries visit our World Coverage Page or for Rates click here. |
