Frequently Asked Questions
Before Roaming
International Roaming - Before Roaming
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Maxis International Roaming is a service that enables your Maxis Mobile to maintain seamless connectivity for call, SMS and data while you are abroad.
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International Roaming allows you to get connected with any available mobile provider that has an agreement with Maxis, known as Maxis roaming partner. Under their coverage Maxis users will be able to make and receive calls, SMS and have mobile data connection in most of the countries in the world.
Activation & Access:
- There are no activation or access charges for having International Roaming enabled on your line. Once activated, your roaming service remains active without any additional fees.
Calls:
- Both making and receiving calls while roaming are chargeable.
- Charges are either based on pay-per-use rates or, in some selected countries, you can enjoy Unlimited Calls and SMS Passes for better value.
SMS:
- Receiving SMS while roaming is free of charge.
- Sending SMS is chargeable, either based on pay-per-use or covered under the Unlimited Calls and SMS Pass in selected countries.
Data Roaming:
- Various data roaming passes are available, tailored to different durations and usage needs, allowing you to choose the best option for your travel.
Rates & Passes:
- To check the specific call and SMS rates or see available roaming passes for your destination country, please visit: Maxis Roaming Rates & Passes
Important Notes on Call Forwarding and Voicemail:
- If you have call forwarding or voicemail enabled, calls forwarded to another number or to your voicemail will be charged as received calls while roaming.
- To o avoid unexpected charges, it is recommended that you turn off voicemail and call forwarding before roaming. You will receive reminders about this via SMS when you activate roaming.
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You just need to ensure your International Roaming service for your mobile line is activated, and that there is available partner and type of service (call, SMS and data) in your visiting country. For the list of available partner and types of services and rates, you may refer here.
You may check if your International Roaming service is ACTIVATED/ ACTIVE for your mobile line on Maxis app and Maxis Care.
Here are the steps on how to verify:
On Maxis app:
- select the line/ service which you would like to check,
- tap on Service Details,
- tap on Manage Add-Ons,
- check if Roaming box is checked. To switch on International Roaming, check the box and to switch it off just uncheck the box.
Alternatively, this can be done at Maxis Care under “Manage Add-Ons".
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Similar to the principal line, you can verify it via Maxis app or Maxis Care with the following steps:
On Maxis app:
- select the line/ service which you would like to check,
- tap on Service Details,
- tap on Manage Add-Ons,
- check if Roaming box is checked. To switch on International Roaming, check the box and to switch it off just uncheck the box.
Alternatively, this can be done at Maxis Care under “Manage Add-Ons”.
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Maxis provides a range of roaming data passes to accommodate customers' travel needs. Type of passes available is different for each country; for the list of countries with roaming partners and available services, you may refer here.
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Just ensure your:
- International Roaming service is active. you can verify it on Maxis app
- Your line is active, and your credit limit is sufficient. For credit limit, you can check via Maxis app and go to Bill. Should you require to increase your credit limit you may submit your request via Maxis Care; go to Bill and choose Manage Credit Limit.
- Check on the type of service available in the country you are visiting and its rates. We have various types of data roaming passes to cater for different needs, check in advance and even schedule it ahead of time so that you're all connected upon landing.
- Check if your device is compatible with the available roaming network in the destination country. Example: Only 4G & 5G devices with VoLTE emergency calls enabled is allowed in Australia.
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There are few things to take note of:
our pass or you need a separate 1 day data roaming pass to stay connected on mobile data.
Roaming on Flights:
- Only certain Maxis Data Roaming Passes cover data usage while you’re on board a plane (in-flight connectivity).
- Most passes do not include cruise ship data roaming.
- To avoid unexpected charges, it’s best to keep Data Roaming OFF or simply enable Airplane Mode while on flights and cruises.
Roaming on Cruises:
- Cruises often travel near multiple countries and coastal areas.
- Your device may automatically connect to roaming partners’ networks in different countries during the cruise, which can trigger data usage without your knowledge (e.g., background app updates).
- Be cautious, as this can lead to unplanned roaming charges.
Choosing the Right Roaming Pass:
- Maxis offers both Single-Country Passes and Multi-Country Passes.
- If you have a Multi-Country Pass, check if all countries where your cruise stops or has layovers are covered by your pass.
- If some countries are not covered, you may need to purchase an additional 1-Day Data Roaming Pass for those locations to stay connected.
For the list of countries with roaming partners and available services, you may refer here.
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We will send you notifications when your roaming charges exceeds certain thresholds. You can also personalize your threshold alert. This is a complimentary service
The default thresholds available are RM300; RM600; RM900 and RM3000.
To choose your threshold setting, call our Customer Service at *123# (Free of Charge) if you need assistance.
NOTE:
The alert will be sent once your roaming charges exceeds your selected thresholds within each Bill Cycle.For Tablet Users:
If you use a tablet with data plan, you can also receive the threshold alert on your CBR (Can Be Reached) mobile number.To receive this alert via the CBR mobile number, simply register it by calling our Customer Service at *123#.
We will not be able to send you threshold notifications if you do not provide a current CBR mobile number, and you might be exposed to the risk of bill shock.
While abroad
International Roaming - While abroad
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Calls:
- Both making and receiving calls while roaming is chargeable.
- Charges are either based on pay-per-use rates or, in some selected countries, you can enjoy Unlimited Calls and SMS Passes for better value.
SMS:
- Receiving SMS while roaming is free of charge.
- Sending SMS is chargeable, either based on pay-per-use or covered under the Unlimited Calls and SMS Pass in selected countries.
Data Roaming:
- Various data roaming passes are available, tailored to different durations and usage needs, allowing you to choose the best option for your travel.
Rates & Passes:
- To check the specific call and SMS rates or see available roaming passes for your destination country, please visit: Maxis Roaming Rates & Passes
Important Notes on Call Forwarding and Voicemail:
- If you have call forwarding or voicemail enabled, calls forwarded to another number or to your voicemail will be charged as received calls while roaming.
- To avoid unexpected charges, it is recommended that you turn off voicemail and call forwarding before roaming. You will receive reminders about this via SMS when you activate roaming.
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Before landing:
- Keep your phone on Airplane Mode during the flight.
- Ensure your Data Roaming setting is turned OFF if you do not intend to use data immediately.
After landing:
- Turn off Airplane Mode to allow your phone to search for and connect to Maxis’ preferred roaming partner network.
- Once connected, you will receive a Welcome SMS from Maxis containing important information including:
- Availability of roaming services (voice, SMS, and data)
- Details of the roaming partner/operator you’re connected to
- Whether 5G roaming is available
- Data roaming charges or available data roaming passes
- How to contact Maxis Customer Service for free by dialling *123#
Using calls and SMS only:
- Keep your phone’s Data Roaming turned OFF to avoid data charges. Calls and SMS will still work as usual.
Using data while roaming:
- Turn ON Data Roaming in your phone settings to access mobile data services abroad.
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There are a few possible reasons to this. You may want to check on:
- Data Roaming Setting:
Make sure Data Roaming is turned ON in your phone’s settings.
- Roaming Partner Connection:
Confirm that your phone is connected to the correct roaming partner network as mentioned in the Welcome SMS you received after landing.
- Data Roaming Availability:
Check if data roaming is available and allowed in the country you are visiting.
- Some countries, like Myanmar, do not support data roaming.
- Certain areas, such as parts of South Thailand, may have local restrictions or blocks on roaming data.
- Blocked Due to High Costs:
In some countries, data roaming rates can be very expensive. To avoid unexpected high charges, data roaming might be automatically blocked by Maxis or the local network.
- Data Roaming Setting:
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Starting 28 October 2024, Australia has officially disabled 3G networks. New regulations require that all phones connecting to Australian networks must support emergency Triple Zero (000) calls over 4G (VoLTE).
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Since 3G is no longer supported in Australia, devices that rely on 3G for voice calls and messaging may not work properly while roaming there. This means you might be unable to make or receive calls and SMS if your device isn’t 4G/VoLTE compatible. Data services on 4G should still work, but voice and SMS could be impacted without VoLTE support.
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You can verify your device compatibility by checking your phone’s IMEI number on the official Australian government site here:
https://amta.org.au/3g-closure-old/check-my-device/To find your IMEI number:
- Android: Go to Settings > About Phone
- iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About
Need to activate VoLTE? Learn more and activate VoLTE on your device here.
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If your device does not support 4G VoLTE or fails the compatibility check, you won’t be able to use standard voice calls or SMS while roaming in Australia. However, you can still stay connected by using internet-based calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp, as long as you have access to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
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You can be a smart traveller and manage your roaming usages by doing the following: -
- Choose the best data roaming pass available on Maxis’ website, Maxis app or Maxis Care.
- If there is no data roaming pass available for your destination country, the most advisable choice is to SWITCH OFF Data Roaming on your phone settings and use other alternative means.
- Do not make unimportant outgoing call.
- Do not send unimportant outgoing SMS*.
- Do not answer unimportant incoming call (answering calls while roaming is chargeable based on incoming call rates).
- Do SWITCH OFF Data Roaming on your phone settings till you land in your destination country to avoid data charges during transition while on Maritime (cruise ship), OnAir/Aeromobile (aircraft) or pay-per-use usages.
- *Receiving SMS while roaming is FOC.
To learn more on roaming and tips to save you for any inconvenience https://www.maxis.com.my/en/discovery/travel/be-a-smart-roamer/
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If you need assistance while abroad, dial *123# from your mobile phone.
After Roam
International Roaming - After Roam
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Please watch this video to understand the roaming charges in your bill sections.
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Switch off Data Roaming on your phone setting upon your arrival or when Data Roaming is not required.
To ensure, you can fully utilise your Maxis service back home, just be reminded to switch on your voicemail and call forwarding services if you have switched them off before roaming.
Need to get in touch with us?
Contact Maxis Customer Service