Using non-3g phone to avoid data roaming?
 

I currently have a T-Mobile 3g phone (Dash 3g) with an unlimited domestic data plan. Planning to visit Canada, I was thinking of putting my SIM in my old unlocked Razr to avoid the dreaded international data roaming charges, but keep my Dash available for Wi-Fi. I wanted to still have a phone available for voice and sms, knowing full well of the charges incurred for them. I just want to avoid data roaming.

To those that have successfully done something similar, would using my non-3g phone be a reasonable workaround?

2G phones can still pull data, so that is not a guarantee you won't end up with data roaming charges. You could probably accomplish the same thing by just turning off 3G networks in your current phone. There may also be an option to simply turn off data. Another issue is that your Dash may not work for wifi without a SIM in it, so it would be a pain to keep moving your SIM back and forth.

I'm not familiar with your phone, but check your setting to see if you can just turn off data while roaming. It is a common setting.

Another trick that might do the job, is to alternate the APN in your phone, so that it can't be used - could be done by adding a few numbers at the beginning of the APN and then delete the numbers when you get home again...

Couple of good suggestions, thanks.

Actually, I just confirmed with T-Mo CSR that my Smartphone Unlimited Web plan includes Canada as a domestic region, so I should be OK with keeping the SIM card in the phone.^

I even had the rep document that she confirmed it, just to be safe, in the event that I do get hit with the nasty roamimg charges upon return to the US.

It hasn't been "domestic" as far as my BlackBerry plan. Good luck with that one.

No go...
 

Well, looks like I was given incorrect info, since upon my return from Canada, there were entries for data roaming. Fortunately, I called it in, and seeing the documented info before my trip, the CSR waived those charges.

So, I'm back at square one, and hope to try out the suggestions listed by others prior to my next trip, unless I can get a straight answer from a knowledgable tech support agent.

Disabling data roaming for T-Mobile Dash 3g
 

One option I was given by tech support is to go into Comm Manager -> Data Connection: Off

Will give that a try domestically for a couple days before my next trip to see if I incur any data charges.