Be careful with international data roaming when traveling. What you don’t know can really hurt financially.
This is not a promotion for T-Mobile, but travelers who utilize T-Mobile services during their journeys are not subjected to any additional restrictions on text messages or data. While other individuals are experiencing data limitations and being required to make extra payments, T-Mobile customers are now also being charged for voice calls, albeit at a minimal cost – typically only 20 cents per minute. Therefore, this article is targeted towards other travelers with Verizon, AT&T, and various other data plans service providers.While traveling we become even more dependent on our smartphones than usual. There are no other phones to use. We all need to move around, so map programs are becoming more and more important. Airline boarding passes are often loaded onto cell phones. Travelers need apps that tell them the best hotels and restaurants more than ever. And whenever we pick up our mobile phone we have to use data.Many globe-trotters have discovered the that accessing data abroad can be a costly when venturing beyond North America. The skyrocketing costs of certain phone plans and data packages are a cause for concern, especially for smartphone enthusiasts. Even when using a local SIM card, the prepaid data limits are often restrictive, paling in comparison to the more generous allowances typically offered by domestic providers.Here are some ways to save on international data roaming charges while traveling.
This information including TripSavvy, Time Magazine, and official Apple resources.- Turn off data roaming or switch to airplane mode.
You can avoid using any data by doing this. Afterwards, you can connect to make phone calls or check your emails or messages whenever you come across a Wi-Fi connection.
- Purchase a global data roaming package.
Although this option will reduce data consumption, it comes
- Disable apps and background operations that use data.
Features like automatic backup and app updates can quickly devour your convenient to have at home, they don’t need to rely on your cellular data when you’re out and about. Instead, hold off until you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network.Disable automatic your mobile device’s app marketplace, or configure them to only occur when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Additionally, review the settings within individual apps to ensure that they are not consuming Also, verify that your device is set to automatically back up large files, such as photos and videos, when a Wi-Fi connection is detected.Review all other installed apps to ensure they are not consuming excessive data. Disable any automatic update or refresh features that can not be restricted to Wi-Fi connections, as many apps will update their content regardless of the network type, resulting in unexpected data usage.Also on Travelers United: 5 Foreign Travel Mistakes No One Thinks They’ll Make– But They Do
- Limit cellular data access for iOS apps.
iOS has the ability to individually limit which apps can access cellular data. If using an iPhone or iPad, right before you go abroad, go to Settings-Cellular-Use Cellular Data, and disable access for anything that doesn’t absolutely require it.When traveling, it is advisable for apps like Netflix, weather apps, and Spotify to disable their international data roaming to avoid unnecessary charges. Travelers can easily re-enable this access if they urgently need to check the weather or listen to music, ensuring they are aware of their data usage.
- Stop refreshing apps in the background
Turn off background app refresh again on iOS. Found under Settings-General, this setting prevents apps from sending and receiving data in the background using international data roaming.If it’s going to save you money, does it really matter if Twitter is a few hours out of date when you first open it? Almost certainly not.
- Use lightweight versions of apps
In response to the prevalence of outdated mobile devices and sluggish internet speeds in emerging markets, large corporations have adapted by launching stripped-down versions of their applications to improve user experience.
- Utilize messaging apps to bypass costly international roaming fees and phone charges.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Viber eliminate the need for costly text messaging, allowing users to communicate with friends and family who also use the app at no charge. Likewise, iMessage, Google Voice, and Skype offer free messaging capabilities when connected to a Wi-Fi network.Additionally, discover the significance of having a secure Wi connection using a VPN.International travelers will also appreciate the benefits of these streamlined apps, which tend to consume significantly less data than their standard versions. While they are more commonly found on Android devices, options like Facebook Lite, Twitter Lite, and Google’s “Go” suite, which includes Maps, offer a data-friendly alternative to their full-featured counterparts.
- Buy a local SIM card
I haven’t done this in years, but having a local phone can be a lifesaver. If your cell phone is unlocked, it can use a local prepaid SIM card while traveling abroad. The plans are quite affordable compared to many international plans. SIM cards can also become expensive when moving from one country to another. However, remember that incoming calls or texts to your regular home number won’t ring– but you can set up forwarding if necessary.
- Make sure you have a VPN that offers secure Wi-Fi
A Travelers United Plus membership offers an inexpensive VPN (Virtual Private Network) that ensures secure Wi-Fi connection. With a VPN, travelers can appear as if they are accessing the internet from the United States rather than from a different country. Many VPN services provide access to a range of features available in the USA. By utilizing servers based in the US, travelers can bypass restrictions on certain websites. This enables travelers to compare hotel deals in Europe with those available to American customers who book from the US. Additionally, when using Match.com, a VPN maintains connection with potential US dates, preventing users from unintentionally accessing foreign versions of the service.Charlie Leocha leads Travelers United, bringing 14 years of experience advocating travelers’ rights in the nation’s capital. During his tenure, he has collaborated with lawmakers, the Department of Transportation, and industry leaders to address key travel concerns. Notably, he served as the inaugural consumer representative on the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, a position he held from 2012 to 2018 after being appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.
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