Travel to South Africa and phone settings

[Chris10895]

About to head off to SA with a Pay Monthly iPhone with the Travel Bolt-on activated. There are times when I won't have access to Wi-Fi to receive WhatsApp and Messages. I understand that I can receive phone calls and texts from UK free (someone correct me please if I'm wrong) via the networks there and that if I send a text or make a call it generates the £6/24hr charge but allows me the limits that I currently enjoy here in UK.

What I'm not clear about is the effect of data roaming, which should normally be off to avoid nasty bills later.

I view phone calls as using different systems to internet access here ... i.e. the calls and text go through a different system to 3G/4G.  Am I wrong?  

The bottom line is ... should my data-roaming be on or off in SA?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@Chris10895 

You'll pay for any days you use the travel bolt on which will be triggered by any phone use of making calls, sending texts or using data.

Data roaming will need to be on to use data.

Roaming guide here Guide: Roaming MegaGuide