How many times have you come across someone who left his data connection switched on while roaming internationally and got whacked with a Rs 10,000 bill? Thanks to a new technology, bill shock for international mobile roaming customers could soon be a thing of the past.
Cellular operators are planning to deploy solutions that will enable users to get live alerts on their usage in terms of money, airtime and bandwidth consumed while roaming. Users will also be able to put a cap on the amount they want to spend while roaming after which they will have the option of disconnecting.

Called real–time intelligence solution, it enables operators to map usage and then proactively alert subscribers. “When someone is travelling, he will switch off data or won't take calls because he is wary of a hefty bill. It's the fear of uncertainty that makes him do this. But, if I were to tell you how much I will charge for data, SMS and calls, and I keep alerting you on a real-time basis, then customers will be more comfortable in using it,” said Mr Sanjay Kasturia, Chief Executive, Syniverse Technologies, one of the firms currently in talks with major Indian telecom players for implementing the solution.

The solution can do various other things. For example, one common problem faced by international travellers is that their phone doesn't connect to the local network just after landing. Usually no one calls the customer care and ends up buying a local SIM. The new solution enables operators to proactively monitor their subscribers and address the problem. “We are in talks with a number of solutions providers for deploying roaming solutions. This has become important because customer care has become a key aspect in retaining high quality subscribers,” said a Delhi-based GSM player. Operators said that they are looking to deploy such solutions by the second quarter next year. Globally, operators in countries such as China, Japan and Korea have already started using this solution.