Traveling with your cell phone offers lots of bang for the buck to today’s traveler. It can be your map, translator, currency converter, guidebook, and camera. However, there are some things you need to know before using it abroad. When you leave your mobile provider’s coverage area, you are likely to be hit with roaming charges, and they can really add up. Have you heard horror stories of returning from vacation to bills in the three, four and five-figure dollar amounts? Don’t let this happen to you.
Simply stated, roaming refers to the data service you access when you are beyond your provider’s coverage area. When your phone leaves the U.S., is detected by an overseas network, and connects to it, that’s roaming.
If you haven’t arranged an alternative strategy such as an international data plan, you can accrue roaming charges in many ways:
How do you want to use your phone abroad? If it’s just about staying in touch, you can use apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and Facetime while you are on WiFi. If you want to use maps, there are mapping programs that work offline. You can download tourist information when you have WiFi and access it later.
Using a Cellphone in EuropeIf you don’t want to be limited, you might think about upgrading your plan. Ask your provider if they offer an unlimited international plan, with unlimited standard texts and unlimited domestic calling, or you may be satisfied with limited data.
The simplest strategy is turning off roaming via your phone’s settings. If it turns off and stays off, you are safe. You will still be able to access WiFi, which is likely to be available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and some modes of transportation. Get acquainted with your phone, especially the settings. Your phone should have an icon that alerts you that you're roaming.
Several factors impact roaming: Your provider, your specific plan, and your phone.
Contact your provider and ask about your data and calling plan:
Take notes on the answers, and try to get things in writing: Cell phone companies are notorious for giving out contradictory information.
Learn your plan details from your provider, and practice how to navigate the settings on your phone. Remember — settings are set up differently in iPhones, Androids, and Google phones, so make sure you are relying on information that reflects your phone, plan, and carrier.