[pieter]

Point is that he's turning roaming off, and probably doesn't have access to WiFi in the foreign city. By having the database, you don't need a data connection at all, thus saving money.

[seabee]

He had to connect to the internet in the foreign city at least once before. The difference is now it must be every time.

[wlesieutre]

Right, but if you travel there semi-frequently, it would be nice to not pay for it each time. Cheap relative to the airfare, but every bit helps.