If you are like me, you don’t go many places without your
phone, and I expect most of you are planning to take yours on our trip. However, there are some precautionary
measures you should also take to avoid a surprisingly high phone bill when you
return home. I’ve heard horror stories
of travelers who rack up bills over $1,000!
Each phone company has its own guidelines, and you should
always contact yours to get accurate information for your phone and your
company’s billing procedures. You will
want to follow those procedures to keep data charges in check. Most companies offer international data
plans.
The same tips could apply to laptops and tablets if using
apps that use a lot of data. Turning
data roaming off while traveling internationally blocks email, browsing, visual
voicemail, and downloads, but it will not block text messages. Roaming is when you are accessing a wireless
carrier other than your own.
By default, the international data roaming function is
turned off, but be sure to check your settings before traveling abroad. International roaming rates apply when you
send text, photo, or video messages. In
no time, you can rack up an expensive phone bill.
Some tips:
1. Contact your phone company before
departure. Don’t assume you will have service.
2. Turn
on airplane mode to disable the wireless features.
3. Take
advantage of free wifi anywhere we have it.
Search the internet and send email and texts when it is free.
4. Avoid
uploading photos unless you have free wifi.
5. Make
sure your charger will work in all 4 countries and have a voltage converter and
correct plug.
6. There
are some great travel apps but using them could incur expensive roaming fees.
7. If
there is information from the internet that you think you might want to access
(currency rates, sightseeing info, maps) simply copy and paste them to the
notes feature of your phone which does not use data when accessed.
I will take my phone but I don’t plan to use it except
for emergencies and will buy a minimum data international plan for those
emergency calls.
I recommend the following sites to learn more about using
iPhones and other technical devices economically on international trips.
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