Top 5 Tips for Avoiding Roaming Costs When Traveling Overseas
I am often asked by clients and friends who travel abroad, just how can they avoid getting 'stung' by the roaming rate rip-off that mobile carriers and networks around the world seem so desperate to force on us all.
Even in the EU, where roaming rates are capped and controlled by the EU Commission, clients can still pay 5 times their home calling rate to make a local call.
And that only takes care of EU calling, long haul rates and calls beyond the Eurozone are not covered by this legislation! One client found us after he returned home to Japan and received a $74k invoice when he had been streaming video over his Smartphone linked, or tethered to his PC and watching videos! OK, that is an extreme case but how do you avoid the trap of coming home to 'bill shock' after the event? Here are my 5 Top Tips for protecting yourself: Tip 1: Check what exactly your provider will charge you for Voice, Data and Texting in your destination country.
See if they offer any packages available for travel users.
Often these are free to select but are usually 'opt-in' rather than part of your standard offer.
Tip 2: Rent or buy a local SIM card for your phone.
Local rates are almost always cheaper, even for calling home and if your mobile is unlocked you can drop in a local country SIM and take advantage of local rates.
Make sure your phone is not tied to your home carrier, (call them to check) and then simply use a locally sourced pre-paid SIM or for higher users and the best rates, you can rent a post-paid short-term contract SIM from a number of phone rental and SIM rental providers.
Tip 3: If you run an iPhone 4 or iPad, again some Apps can be very data hungry.
Just like Tip 2, you can rent a microSIM with a Data Pack for local usage or purchase a prepaid solution to fix your costs.
Tip 4: Get hold of a Data Management App to keep an eye on data usage for your iPhone or PC.
These are cheap and give you visibility of how much data you use versus any plan you may have.
For iPhones check out Bjango Consume or for PC's such as DataView that can be free with rentals of Data Services or at a minimal cost as stand-alone.
Tip 5: The most of obvious saving option is to switch off all roaming, if you can stand to be out of touch.
Ask your carrier to bar this so you aren't tempted or maybe just check your messages once a day and then you are in control.
BUT, do turn off data roaming unless you absolutely need it.
If you link up your laptop, auto-updates, such as those provided as a 'service' by Microsoft can run in the background without you even knowing.
Like any service, it's 'buyer beware'.
You will have agreed to roaming in your contract somewhere so be pro-active, understand your rates and make an informed choice.
A week before you go think 'Passport, Tickets, Money, Mobile' and stay connected for less.
Even in the EU, where roaming rates are capped and controlled by the EU Commission, clients can still pay 5 times their home calling rate to make a local call.
And that only takes care of EU calling, long haul rates and calls beyond the Eurozone are not covered by this legislation! One client found us after he returned home to Japan and received a $74k invoice when he had been streaming video over his Smartphone linked, or tethered to his PC and watching videos! OK, that is an extreme case but how do you avoid the trap of coming home to 'bill shock' after the event? Here are my 5 Top Tips for protecting yourself: Tip 1: Check what exactly your provider will charge you for Voice, Data and Texting in your destination country.
See if they offer any packages available for travel users.
Often these are free to select but are usually 'opt-in' rather than part of your standard offer.
Tip 2: Rent or buy a local SIM card for your phone.
Local rates are almost always cheaper, even for calling home and if your mobile is unlocked you can drop in a local country SIM and take advantage of local rates.
Make sure your phone is not tied to your home carrier, (call them to check) and then simply use a locally sourced pre-paid SIM or for higher users and the best rates, you can rent a post-paid short-term contract SIM from a number of phone rental and SIM rental providers.
Tip 3: If you run an iPhone 4 or iPad, again some Apps can be very data hungry.
Just like Tip 2, you can rent a microSIM with a Data Pack for local usage or purchase a prepaid solution to fix your costs.
Tip 4: Get hold of a Data Management App to keep an eye on data usage for your iPhone or PC.
These are cheap and give you visibility of how much data you use versus any plan you may have.
For iPhones check out Bjango Consume or for PC's such as DataView that can be free with rentals of Data Services or at a minimal cost as stand-alone.
Tip 5: The most of obvious saving option is to switch off all roaming, if you can stand to be out of touch.
Ask your carrier to bar this so you aren't tempted or maybe just check your messages once a day and then you are in control.
BUT, do turn off data roaming unless you absolutely need it.
If you link up your laptop, auto-updates, such as those provided as a 'service' by Microsoft can run in the background without you even knowing.
Like any service, it's 'buyer beware'.
You will have agreed to roaming in your contract somewhere so be pro-active, understand your rates and make an informed choice.
A week before you go think 'Passport, Tickets, Money, Mobile' and stay connected for less.