Staying connected as you travel, particularly worldwide, is no longer something that’s easy to have. The habits of getting directions, looking up a restaurant, messaging family members or friends, checking your social media accounts and backing up your videos and photos are a part of your everyday life, and you possibly don’t intend to surrender that expediency once you travel outside your country despite the high costs involved.
As luck would have it, your ability to remain in touch in a relatively cheap way is better than before. However, what you receive for your money is not always upfront. Some wireless travel plans are sometimes sophisticated in their approach. Collecting a SIM card abroad is also an option, although it comes with its collection of warnings and legwork.
Here are simple ways on how to get affordable mobile data access during your next trip, to help you find directions, a late-night drink or maybe a restaurant.
Local SIM Cards
You can pick up a SIM card every time you visit a new country if your phone is unlocked. Collecting a SIM card is especially convenient if you plan to visit a few countries during a long journey. The SIM cards are available at local cell phone shops or the airport once you get to your destination. Prices may vary, although it’s usually relatively cheap and a wide range of options available to suit your needs. Ask your provider what to expect if the 4G mobile data runs out: Will it be slower or will you be without data entirely?
Google Project Fi
Recently, Google introduced Project Fi, a service that allows you to send texts and make calls over Wi-Fi, or T-Mobile or Sprint networks in the United States. The cost differs, but the basics plan of Fi is around $20 every month and incorporates unlimited text messages, unlimited domestic calls and texts and Wi-Fi tethering in over 120 countries. Besides that, mobile broadband abroad costs $10 per GB, although the speeds are usually limited to 256Kbps in the more than 120 countries supported by Fi. Legitimately, the service is currently working with the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, and Nexus 6P as well.
KnowRoaming
This method provides a sticker that you put on your own SIM card, and it will connect you to local networks in over 200 countries. Your label is activated only when you are travelling, but it will not interfere with any local US calls, data or text when you get back home. Unlimited mobile data plans begin at 7.99 dollars per day, in more than 70 countries and you should own an unlocked phone to access this service. To unlock your phone, KnowRoaming recommends you to use UnlockBase.
T-Mobile Global Roaming
If you are a T-mobile customer, you can enjoy free data in over 140 countries using your smartphone if you sign up to one of the Simple Choice Plans of the carrier, and it begins at 50 dollars per month. The free unlimited mobile data has a maximum of 128 Kbps, meaning you can apparently send several Whatsapp texts, but trying to traverse the web might take lots of time. If you are interested in faster mobile broadband abroad, advanced packages are also available. The calls cost only 20 cents per minute to both mobile devices and landlines from your smartphone.
TEP
TEP provides a pocket Wi-Fi hotspot that allows you to connect to a maximum of five devices at a go. The battery lasts you about 8 hours, and the gadget is available in various countries. If you are planning to explore several continents in a single journey, TEP also offers a Global Wi-Fi alternative that operates in multiple countries across the globe. You can order the gadget before you leave for your trip or have it delivered to your destination. The prices begin at 9.95 dollars per day.
Planning well for your trip will help you avoid terrible roaming charges on your phone bill and remain connected to your family and friends back at home as you travel. To save more money as you travel internationally, you can consider using credit cards such as Citi Prestige or Chase Sapphire Preferred which do not charge any foreign transaction fees.
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