Hong Kong has Telstra 4G roaming

Hong Kong becomes first location outside Australia to offer the service.

Telstra Corporation Ltd or Telstra, Australia’s largest provider of telecommunications services, for the first time has enabled 4G roaming overseas starting with Hong Kong. A 4G system provides mobile ultra-broadband Internet access to laptops, smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Telstra and its subsidiary Hong Kong CSL have enabled customers of each company to roam the other's 4G network when travelling in Australia.

"Telstra was the first operator to introduce a 4G LTE (long-term evolution) mobile network in Australia, and with this service we will become the first local operator to offer 4G LTE international roaming for customers,” said Telstra's executive director of networks Mike Wright.

The price for 4G roaming remains the same as 3G roaming, at AU$15.36 per megabyte. At very fast 4G speeds, however, customers will likely use data at a faster rate, and end up with a higher bill on their return to Australia.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network warned that customers continue will wind up with high bills even while using data sparingly, and advise travellers not to use data while roaming at all.

It wants providers to focus on partnerships with overseas providers that bring down the cost of data roaming before worrying about faster speeds that will ensure customers run up a high bill faster.