# Quick guide to Tesco international calling and texting

Calling and texting in another country usually results in extra charges, even if you’re [using an eSIM for data.](https://app.alosim.com/esim-store/region?currency=USD) Here’s what to expect with Tesco …

## Can I use my Tesco phone internationally?

Tesco Mobile has a [Home From Home](https://www.tescomobile.com/why-tesco-mobile/award-winning-network/home-from-home) plan that lets you use your regular plan’s calling minutes, texts, and data in 48 destinations within the E.U. and beyond.

But if you use up your allotted plan or you’re visiting a country that’s not a Home From Home destination, you will [pay individually per call, per text, and per MB of data usage](https://www.tescomobile.com/roaming). (And you can save big bucks by [using an eSIM](https://app.alosim.com/esim-store/region?currency=USD) for all data instead.)

## Is it expensive to use pay-as-you-go rates from Tesco?

**If you plan on making a lot of phone calls and sending a lot of texts** while you’re travelling, paying individually per call and per text can add up quickly.

**But if you won’t be calling/texting much while you travel** (remember, iMessage doesn’t count as texting), it will be much cheaper to [use an eSIM for data](https://app.alosim.com/esim-store/region?currency=USD) and only pay Tesco for any [active calling minutes](https://www.tescomobile.com/roaming) and [outgoing texts.](https://www.tescomobile.com/roaming)

## How do I use eSIM data with Tesco calling/texting?

**1.** Make sure you have a [device that supports eSIM](/content/can-my-phone-support-esim/index.html)

**2.** Download the [free aloSIM app](https://alosim.onelink.me/NWPY/esim)

**3.** Buy and [install](/content/how-to-install-esim/index.html) an eSIM (digital SIM)

**4.** [Activate](/content/how-to-activate-esim/index.html) your prepaid data package

During activation, we’ll show you how to set your device to keep your phone number active, while [preventing roaming on your Tesco plan.](/content/avoid-data-roaming-charges-international-travel/index.html) You’ll only pay Tesco for calls and texts, not data!

## If I use an eSIM for data, will Tesco charge me for data usage, too?

If you’re using an eSIM for all data usage, you have [disabled Data Roaming](/content/avoid-data-roaming-charges-international-travel/index.html) for your Tesco SIM, and you have opted out of any Tesco roaming plans, they will not charge you data roaming fees.

Whether you have an [iPhone](/content/how-to-activate-iphone-esim/index.html), [Samsung](/content/activate-esim-samsung/index.html), or [Google Pixel](/content/activate-esim-google-pixel/index.html) device, we can show you how to keep your phone number available while [preventing your Tesco SIM from “roaming”](/content/avoid-data-roaming-charges-international-travel/index.html) and using data while you travel.