If you’re planning on taking an international trip, you’re probably very excited and planning on bringing along your mobile phone in the hopes that you’ll be able to stay connected with those you love back at home while also having instant access to the internet, emails, text messages, and social media while you are away. However, it is not so easy to use your mobile phone while in another country. Therefore, think twice before using your mobile phone internationally.
Notify Your Mobile Phone Service Provider About Your Trip
Before leaving for your journey, you should contact your mobile phone service provider to let them know your plans if you are planning on using your mobile phone while you are away. Many times, the service provider will need to activate your phone for international usage, and you will also be told what extra charges, if any, you will incur by using your phone in any way while overseas or in another country. This will not only ensure that your mobile phone will actually work while you are away, but you also will not be surprised by the phone bill when it arrives and shows surcharges and higher costs.
While on the phone with your service provider, find out if you will be able to access the internet, text messages, etc. while you are abroad, or if your mobile phone use will be restricted to only making and/or receiving calls. As mentioned above, you want to be clear about fees and what you should expect to work and not work while you are away
, before you go.
Alternatives for Keeping In Touch While Away
If you find that you would rather not be bothered with using your mobile or smartphone internationally because of the high costs involved, but you still want to definitely keep in touch with loved ones back home, there are several alternatives.
Many hotels offer free Wi-Fi, so bring along your laptop and plug into the network. Even if you have
e to pay for the Wi-Fi connection, it may be less money than what you would have paid if you were using your mobile phone. Once you are connected to the internet, feel free to browse your social media pages and send emails with updates to family and friends.
You can also use free programs, such as Skype and Google Voice to communicate cheaply or ab
solutely free with your loved ones, instead of having to pay much more money per minute using your mobile phone.
If You Must Use Your Phone…
If you must communicate using your mobile phone while overseas or in another country, just be careful and keep an eye on how long you use the phone and how much data you are consuming. As long as you keep your usage of the phone in check, you can afford the extra charges and still be able to take advantage of the convenience and benefits of having your mobile phone with you so far away from home.
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Lisa always brings her mobile phone everywhere she goes, but she is well aware of the extra fees for every minute of talking with loved ones back at home, so she looks for the best service plan by searching through uSwitch.com, a site with great deals on phones as well, like the LG Optimus L7.
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