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- During 2025, international data traffic grew by more than 10%. Consumption was equivalent to streaming the Bad Bunny show at the Super Bowl 300,000 times in 4K.
Currently, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia are consolidating their position as the destinations with the highest mobile data usage abroad.
February 13, 2026. — International mobile connectivity has become an essential element for travelers today. Reflecting this trend, international mobile data traffic in 2025 showed roaming consumption reaching more than 754,000 GB, representing a 10.6% increase compared to 2024.
The volume of traffic recorded in 2025 confirms that mobile phone usage abroad is a structural pillar of the travel experience. To put this phenomenon into everyday terms, the total data consumed is equivalent to streaming more than 50,000 movies, around 190 million short videos on TikTok or 15-second reels, continuously playing 600 years of high-quality music, or sending 25 billion messages via WhatsApp. It is also equivalent to watching the recent Bad Bunny Super Bowl show approximately 300,000 times in 4K.
According to the WOM Dataholics study, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia ranked as travelers’ favorite destinations for roaming use in 2025. These three countries led international data traffic, closely followed by the United States and Bolivia, completing the map of highest regional connectivity.
The study reveals that December, January, and February record the highest levels of mobile data usage abroad, coinciding with the summer season and year-end holidays. The analysis also shows that during peak season, travelers use roaming services for an average period of 7 to 12 days. Meanwhile, in 2025, average consumption reached 560 MB, representing a 14% increase compared to the previous year.
“The mobile phone has stopped being an occasional backup and has become a central and everyday tool in travel. Today, people not only seek to communicate but also depend on the network to navigate, entertain themselves, and solve practical needs in real time. That is why at WOM we offer coverage in more than 100 countries across five continents, with free WhatsApp roaming included in all our plans to ensure our customers remain connected regardless of their destination,” said Kamila Dubó, WOM’s Markets Director.
Tips to Make the Most of Roaming Services
Although purchasing a SIM card or setting up an eSIM at the destination may seem like the obvious solution, local roaming has gained ground due to its convenience. In response, telecommunications companies in Chile offer roaming services within their plans or provide convenient data packages to their customers. In WOM’s case, the operator offers connectivity in more than 100 countries, expanding its network to increasingly popular tourist destinations such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, and South Korea, among others.
“To make the most of roaming, the key is to transform the mobile phone into the logistical center of the trip. Beyond connectivity, roaming services offer security and convenience compared to any other network. By browsing with their own data, users avoid connecting to public networks, thereby mitigating risks,” the WOM Markets Director stated.
In this regard, the company recommends using roaming options supported by Wi-Fi networks at the place of accommodation to download maps or itineraries before using mobile data. Depending on the amount of data available in each user’s plan or package, it is also recommended to activate limited data consumption settings in applications and restrict background updates.
