Chatr international calling & add-ons (concepts)
Need to call family abroad, or use your phone when you travel? Prepaid brands typically offer optional add-ons for international long-distance and roaming. This guide explains the concepts so you know what to look for — then verify the current specifics officially.
What add-ons are
An add-on is an optional extra you attach to your plan for a cycle — separate from your base talk/text/data[1]. Common categories include additional data, international long-distance calling, and roaming features. You add them when you need them and drop them when you don’t.
International long-distance calling
International long-distance means calling a phone number in another country while you are still in Canada. Prepaid brands often sell a long-distance add-on that provides a bucket of international minutes or discounted rates to specific destinations[1]. The countries covered and the rates vary widely and change — the destination list is the key thing to confirm before you buy.
Roaming
Roaming is using your phone while you are physically in another country, on a foreign network. Roaming availability and pricing on prepaid brands vary considerably, and some value/prepaid plans have limited or no roaming. If travel is important to you, this is essential to confirm officially before you leave.
Long-distance vs roaming: don’t mix them up
| International long-distance | Roaming | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you are | In Canada | Abroad |
| What you’re doing | Calling a number in another country | Using your phone on a foreign network |
| Typical add-on | Long-distance minutes/rates | Roaming pass / travel add-on (if offered) |
Tips for international users
- Check the destination list for any long-distance add-on — coverage of countries varies.
- Consider Wi-Fi calling and apps for staying in touch, which don’t depend on an international add-on.
- Confirm roaming before travelling — don’t assume it’s included.
- Watch your data abroad, where usage can be treated very differently from home.
Sources & Further Reading
These references are listed as plain text only. To consult them, search for the publisher and title in your browser. See our full sources page for the complete list and how we use each one.
- Chatr Mobile — official international long-distance and roaming add-ons, covered destinations and rates (primary brand source).
- Telecom technology references — definitions of long-distance vs roaming and general prepaid add-on concepts.