Latest news with #Roam
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Hidden phone charge costing Brits who visit popular holiday destination £300
Those headed to this popular European beach destination this summer need to be careful as social media users warn of an unexpected phone charge which could set you back hundreds of pounds Brits heading to Corfu have been warned to be the lookout this summer for a hidden network charge – which could hit them before they've even left the airport. Worse still, it could even cost them hundreds. Instead of unwinding, tourists have been left confused after receiving a 'Welcome to Albania' text message upon arrival at their island destination - despite Corfu being a part of Greece. As reported by the Daily Mail, an employee from MailOnline recently holidayed at the popular holiday destination. He shared a text he received upon landing, which came from a service named 'Rate Advice.' It reads: "Welcome to Albania! Calls, texts and data in Albania are chargeable and do not come out of your standard allowances or UK data add-ons. Roam Beyond data add-ons for this destination are available in the iD Mobile app for as little as GBP5.00. "If you haven't already purchased a Roam Beyond data add-on, it will cost GBP1.50 per MB. Minutes and texts are not included , and will cost GBP0.60 per text to roam. To protect you from excessive charges, a GBP45.00 roaming data cap is in place." The issue arises from Corfu's proximity to Albania. Despite being located in Greece, it lies relatively close (30 miles) to Ksamil, a small beachside village in the Albanian Riviera. Due to its location, the strength of Albanian mobile phone signals from the coast can cause phones to connect to them automatically. This can occur even when the user is in a completely different country. Aside from causing confusion, this mix-up can end up costing tourists – which is why unfortunate holidaymakers jumped on social media over the summer to warn others of unexpected charges. Steve Moore, from Chesterfield, came on to the popular Facebook group, We Love Sidari, to complain about his experience. He wrote: "I arrived Sunday, usual welcome text to Corfu charges just the same as UK - 2 days later message welcome to Albania this is your charges." He continued: "Wow what a rip off, phoned company and after 45 mins of conversation was told the network must of changed to a different mast. You need to keep an eye on it otherwise it will cost you a lot." A second Facebook user also chimed in, pointing out that appears to happen in specific parts of the island. 'Only if you go to the east of the island,' they wrote. 'I did that mistake while on a quad. Using google maps. £128 to drive up road lol.' A third added, 'We got caught out £298 bill when we got home.' So, how do you avoid these charges? Travellers are urged to either contact their provider regarding the situation, switch off 'roaming' or manually select a Greek network in their phone's settings - rather than relying on automatic network selection. As one Facebook commenter advised: 'All you do is let your phone set it's paired Greek network automatically when you arrive on the island at the airport. Once it's selected the correct Greek network, go into your settings and turn OFF 'automatically select network'.' They added: 'This means your phone will not hunt for or connect to anything else other than your correct Greek network.' Although, they warned users to remember to switch it back once they return to the UK. To avoid these charges, Georgia Brivida, from the international SIM provider Sim Local, has urged Brits to switch off the 'autoplay' feature on their phones before boarding their next flight. She revealed that the setting could quietly drain data and lead to a significant phone bill, in many cases without users even noticing. She explained: "Autoplay is a feature that automatically plays videos as you scroll through apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, often without you even tapping play."
Web Release
23-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
VIRGIN CONNECT LAUNCHES SUMMER CAMPAIGN TO REVOLUTIONIZE GLOBAL TRAVEL CONNECTIVITY
As international travel across the GCC surges this summer, Virgin Connect introduces a timely, insight-led campaign for its flagship travel eSIM product, Virgin Connect Roam — designed not only to simplify connectivity but to elevate the entire travel experience. Rooted in purpose and driven by community, Virgin Connect Roam is built to empower a new generation of global travelers to connect, explore, and share the world seamlessly. In a region where staying connected to culture, family, and identity is paramount, even while abroad, Roam becomes more than a digital solution. It becomes a trusted companion. Available in over 190 countries and fully app-powered, Roam replaces outdated roaming models with a smoother, safer, and smarter mobile journey. No physical SIMs. No bill shocks. No dropped connections. Just immediate access to what matters, when it matters. Rooted in Insight. Designed for Real Life. Based on in-depth consumer behavior, the campaign is built around a core truth: mobile connectivity is now a travel essential, on par with passports, accommodation, and itineraries. Yet, many still overlook it — often leading to last-minute stress, missed bookings, or the inability to stay in touch during crucial moments. Virgin Connect Roam challenges that mindset, reframing connectivity as a core travel essential, enabling travelers to feel confident, connected, and in control wherever they real-life scenarios, from airport arrivals to exploring new cities, the campaign highlights how Roam delivers not just signal, but peace of mind, freedom, and shared experiences worth remembering. Community is the Differentiator What sets Virgin Connect Roam apart isn't just its best-in-class technology or competitive pricing, it is the community-first mindset at the heart of the brand. By merging: A seamless, Travel eSIM experience And emotionally intelligent storytelling across touchpoints Roam positions itself as the preferred choice for Gen Z and young Millennials across the GCC, digital natives who expect simplicity, value, and cultural relevance in every decision they make. 'At Virgin Connect, we are not just offering connectivity; we are delivering flexibility, affordability and simplicity,' said Walid Omar, Group Chief Product Officer. 'Roam was built to amplify travel experiences, keeping travelers connected so they can focus on the moments that matter most.' Localized Reach. Global Access. With a presence in over 190+ countries, Roam offers tailored travel plans, from regional bundles to global passes, all available and manageable via the Virgin Connect Roam app. Users can activate in seconds, monitor usage, and remain in control before takeoff or mid-journey. The campaign will activate across high-summer outbound markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait with multilingual creative in English, Arabic, and Spanish. A content-rich mix of AV, mobile-first formats, and social-native assets will ensure strong engagement across the platforms where travel planning lives. Virgin Connect Roam is not just changing how the GCC connects; it's reshaping what travel feels like. It's about community. It's about control. The future of travel is connected. Virgin Connect Roam is how we get there
Campaign ME
23-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Virgin Connect taps into global travel connectivity for summer campaign
Virgin Connect has introduced a timely, insight-led campaign for its flagship travel eSIM product, Virgin Connect Roam. Based on in-depth consumer behavior, the campaign is built around a core truth: mobile connectivity is now a travel essential, on par with passports, accommodation, and itineraries. The campaign aims to communicate how Roam's eSIM puts a stop to last-minute stress, missed bookings or the inability to stay in touch during crucial moments when traveling. The work aims to reframe connectivity as a core travel essential, enabling travelers to feel confident, connected, and in control wherever they go. Through real-life scenarios, from airport arrivals to exploring new cities, the campaign highlights how Roam delivers not just signal, but peace of mind, freedom, and shared experiences worth remembering. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virgin Connect (@virginconnect) 'At Virgin Connect, we are not just offering connectivity; we are delivering flexibility, affordability and simplicity,' said Walid Omar, Group Chief Product Officer. 'Roam was built to amplify travel experiences, keeping travelers connected so they can focus on the moments that matter most.' The campaign, developed in-house by the Beyond ONE – Virgin Connect team, aims to set the telecommunications brand apart through its consistent community-first mindset. By merging a seamless travel eSIM offering and emotionally intelligent storytelling across multiple touchpoints, Roam aims to position itself as the preferred choice for Gen Z and young Millennials across the GCC: digital natives who expect simplicity, value, and cultural relevance in every decision they make. Furthermore, the campaign will activate across high-summer outbound markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait with multilingual creative in English, Arabic, and Spanish. This includes a content-rich mix of AV, mobile-first formats, and social-native assets to ensure strong engagement across the platforms where travel planning lives. The brand has extended the campaign by partnering with popular regional travel content creators. The Virgin Connect Roam eSIM offers access to mobile data in over 190 countries. Users can activate tailored travel plans in seconds via the Virgin Connect Roam app. From regional bundles to global passes, they can track usage and stay in control before takeoff or mid-journey. The latest campaign from Virgin Connect Roam aims not to just change how the GCC connects; but reshape what travel feels like. Credits: Client: Beyond ONE – Virgin Connect Roam Group CMO: Sonya Abdo Group VP Brand: Daniela Caccia Director, Go-To-Market: Shiwa Safari Director, Commercial: Mian Taimoor Ahmad Director, PR: Layal Elbily Strategy and Creative Development: In-house by Group Beyond ONE marketing team Senior Designer: Mirna Abu Aita Senior Copywriter: Caroline Feghaly Assets development: Dotspace Agency
Mid East Info
21-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
VIRGIN CONNECT LAUNCHES SUMMER CAMPAIGN TO REVOLUTIONIZE GLOBAL TRAVEL CONNECTIVITY - Middle East Business News and Information
Virgin Connect Roam: Made for Travel. Made for Sunshine.™ This travel eSIM is the Must-Pack for Summer Adventures Dubai, UAE –July 2025 – As international travel across the GCC surges this summer, Virgin Connect introduces a timely, insight-led campaign for its flagship travel eSIM product, Virgin Connect Roam — designed not only to simplify connectivity but to elevate the entire travel experience. Rooted in purpose and driven by community, Virgin Connect Roam is built to empower a new generation of global travelers to connect, explore, and share the world seamlessly. In a region where staying connected to culture, family, and identity is paramount, even while abroad, Roam becomes more than a digital solution. It becomes a trusted companion. Available in over 190 countries and fully app-powered, Roam replaces outdated roaming models with a smoother, safer, and smarter mobile journey. No physical SIMs. No bill shocks. No dropped connections. Just immediate access to what matters, when it matters. Rooted in Insight. Designed for Real Life. Based on in-depth consumer behavior, the campaign is built around a core truth: mobile connectivity is now a travel essential, on par with passports, accommodation, and itineraries. Yet, many still overlook it — often leading to last-minute stress, missed bookings, or the inability to stay in touch during crucial moments. Virgin Connect Roam challenges that mindset, reframing connectivity as a core travel essential, enabling travelers to feel confident, connected, and in control wherever they real-life scenarios, from airport arrivals to exploring new cities, the campaign highlights how Roam delivers not just signal, but peace of mind, freedom, and shared experiences worth remembering. Community is the Differentiator What sets Virgin Connect Roam apart isn't just its best-in-class technology or competitive pricing, it is the community-first mindset at the heart of the brand. By merging: A seamless, Travel eSIM experience And emotionally intelligent storytelling across touchpoints Roam positions itself as the preferred choice for Gen Z and young Millennials across the GCC, digital natives who expect simplicity, value, and cultural relevance in every decision they make. 'At Virgin Connect, we are not just offering connectivity; we are delivering flexibility, affordability and simplicity,' said Walid Omar, Group Chief Product Officer. 'Roam was built to amplify travel experiences, keeping travelers connected so they can focus on the moments that matter most.' Localized Reach. Global Access. With a presence in over 190+ countries, Roam offers tailored travel plans, from regional bundles to global passes, all available and manageable via the Virgin Connect Roam app. Users can activate in seconds, monitor usage, and remain in control before takeoff or mid-journey. The campaign will activate across high-summer outbound markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait with multilingual creative in English, Arabic, and Spanish. A content-rich mix of AV, mobile-first formats, and social-native assets will ensure strong engagement across the platforms where travel planning About Beyond ONE™ Beyond ONE is a digital services provider radically reshaping the personalised digital ecosystems of consumers in emerging markets around the world. We put people at the centre of everything we think and do, to create hyper-customised digital experiences that improve their lives and create a more inclusive, colourful and connected world for everyone. A subsidiary of private global investment company Priora Management Holding Dubai, Beyond ONE is headquartered in Dubai, and through its investments, operates in a number of countries around the world. About Virgin Mobile KSA: Virgin Mobile KSA, a subsidiary of Beyond ONE Group, is a leading telecommunications company in Saudi Arabia, committed to delivering innovative and customer-centric mobile services. With a focus on digital innovation and personalized experiences, Virgin Mobile KSA empowers consumers with customizable mobile plans, advanced app features, and seamless connectivity. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, Virgin Mobile KSA continues to redefine the telecommunications landscape, offering unparalleled service excellence and convenience to its customers across the Kingdom. About Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa: Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa is part of the Virgin family group of companies. Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa is responsible for all Virgin Mobile operations in the Middle East and Africa region and is headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It has been in the region since 2009 and operates the two consumer brands of Virgin Mobile and FRiENDi Mobile. Partnering with telecoms operators, the Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa team provides customers with innovative products and packages designed to make their mobile experience better. Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa believes in having great people, and the management team is made up of senior-level team members from a variety of successful regional and global mobile operators, as well as from MVNOs.
Business Insider
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Roam Launches Premium eSIM: A Global Voice, SMS, and Data Solution for Global Connectivity
Vancouver, Canada, July 17th, 2025, Chainwire Roam has officially launched Premium eSIM —a full-service mobile solution combining voice, SMS, and high-speed data. Available in over 160 countries, the Premium eSIM can be activated instantly via the Roam App with no physical SIM card or roaming fees required. This marks a new phase in Roam's mission to make secure, decentralized mobile connectivity accessible to everyday users and global organizations alike. An All-in-One eSIM for Global Connectivity The Premium eSIM represents the next evolution of Roam's connectivity solutions, building on the success of the Roam Global eSIM, which offers data-only service. The Premium eSIM expands this by adding voice call and SMS capabilities, creating a complete communication solution for global travelers. One eSIM, Three Services: Includes inbound/outbound voice calls, two-way SMS, and 5G mobile data International Phone Number: Each user receives an Austria-based number for international calls, texts, and app verification (e.g. TikTok, YouTube, Grab) Zero Roaming Fees: Usage is billed at local rates upon arrival, with no additional roaming charges applied. Flexible Payment Options: Supports credit card auto-renewals, USDC/USDT, Alipay, and the $ROAM token (coming soon). Free, Never-Expiring Data: Earn free eSIM data with no expiration date by checking in at Roam WiFi hotspots or staking tokens. Users can activate the service through a simple in-app flow, which includes a $20 balance top-up and a quick KYC process (a $2 processing fee applies). All balance, data usage, and call records can be easily managed within the Roam app, with no need for manual support. Next-Gen eSIM Connectivity Powered by Web3 Roam Premium eSIM is more than just a mobile product, it is a decentralized communication gateway powered by blockchain technologies. With integrations such as: Solana Attestation Service (SAS): Enables Roam to issue globally verified phone numbers, with Solana providing the essential identity certification layer. DID + VCs (Decentralized Identifiers and Verifiable Credentials): Protect user privacy while validating identity and activity on-chain On-Chain Loyalty & Rewards: Actions like Check-Ins, token/points burning, and staking, are fully recorded and verifiable This technology makes Roam one of the few projects to offer real-world telecom utilities powered by Web3 infrastructure Global Expansion & Future Plans With the Premium eSIM now live, Roam is accelerating its expansion into Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia, building distribution and ecosystem partnerships across: Web3 exchanges and wallets DeFi protocols and dApps OTAs, travel agencies, and airlines Cross-border enterprise networks Roam's long-term vision is to turn connectivity into a universally accessible service—where users can move across borders, activate global plans, and earn value all through one unified app. About Roam Roam is a leader in decentralized connectivity, building a global wireless network that delivers seamless, secure, and cost-effective internet access through WiFi OpenRoaming and eSIM top-up services. By harnessing blockchain-based credentials, Roam enables small and medium-sized businesses to adopt WiFi OpenRoaming, creating a network of over 10 million hotspots across 190 countries. With 2.9 million app users, Roam is the world's largest decentralized wireless network, empowering users to access free eSIM data while contributing to and validating WiFi nodes. As a trusted eSIM solution, Roam has powered seamless data connectivity for major Web3 events, including Consensus Hong Kong 2025, Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025, and the R3AL WORLD Summit, cementing its role as a pioneer in the DePIN sector. Contact
