Taking Your Mobile Internet Abroad

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I’ve never done one of these before, but considering the big fat phone bill I was slapped with when I returned from NYC, I think this one is worthwhile. Don’t make that mistake. Oh yeah, and I’m unemployed. Did I mention that yet?

For those who want to stay connected and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being able to get online even while abroad, mobile internet services can prove invaluable for both business and leisure travelers.

With the high demand for mobile internet abroad, service providers now offer a range of different connection options, deals, and packages to suit the diverse needs of mobile broadband customers.

What to Consider When Using Mobile Broadband Abroad

Anyone planning to use a mobile broadband service abroad should look into both their options and the costs involved in using these services. It is important to remember that the cost of using mobile internet services abroad can be quite high, despite fees being reduced in recent years to make mobile broadband more affordable and accessible.

Many people make the mistake of not actually looking into important details of how much mobile internet access abroad might cost or whether they can save money. However, doing so will help prevent being hit with huge bills.

Even if you already have a mobile broadband contract, it is a good idea to check with your provider to see whether they are able to offer data packages or bundles at a fixed price. This can really cut the cost of your mobile internet use, especially if you plan to use the internet regularly rather than to just sending a few emails to loved ones back home.

If you do not want to be tied to a contract but you still want to enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband, then a pay-as-you-go mobile internet option is the best choice. This will enable you to get online while abroad, but yet still be in control of your spending.

Candice Mobile Pic
Conclusion?

With the advent of the new 4G mobile broadband service just around the corner, which will be available all over the globe, it’s imperative that you get the best deal going to make data transfer faster and comparable to current home broadband.

Travelers planning to use mobile broadband services should always take the time to contact their provider to find out what the charges are on their standard tariffs for using mobile internet abroad. This will make it easier to determine which mobile internet option is going to offer the best value for money for your needs and circumstances.

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  • http://michael.tyson.id.au Michael Tyson

    Oh man, is this an issue rather close to my heart – I’ve thought so hard about how we stay connected as we roam around Europe. We’re full-time motorhomers in our mid-twenties and so have unique needs – seriously solid internet that works in a lot of places.

    Here’s our solution: We have a iPhone, unlocked, and we buy local SIM cards. Before entering a new country, I do a bunch of data plan research, and so far we’ve done pretty well; we’ve paid £15/100 hours unmetered data in Italy, and currently are paying £25/7GB in the UK (I take notes on all this here: http://michael.tyson.id.au/mobile-broadband/). It’s not true everywhere, but where we’ve been, data plans are great. We even had 9GB/month for next to nothing in Tunisia!

    We use the Internet on our laptops via the iPhone’s tethering.

    We do *all* our calling, both local and international, through Skype, using their ‘Skype Out’ system to dial landlines/mobiles. This works both on the laptop and from the iPhone (Skype has replaced the ‘Phone’ app on the iPhone now, which has been relegated to a later home screen page!). Skype also has text messaging, of course, which works fine, although it’s one-way, so I always need to remind people how to respond.

    We also have a ‘Skype In’ number in Melbourne, Australia, that diverts to our local prepaid mobile number when I’m not on Skype, so people can call us from home for a local call fee ($80US/year, free to receive when on Skype, mobile rates to take it on the mobile).

    Having net access from the iPhone is just insanely useful – being able to be in a strange place and look up local shops and navigate around, quickly translate something into the local lingua, and Tweet pictures of awesome stuff; it changes travel for us completely, in an awesome way =) Couldn’t live without it!

    So, for those considering going with the iPhone, which I honestly couldn’t recommend more for it’s great interface and the wealth of apps available, the crux is getting it unlocked. If you live almost anywhere but the US, you can usually buy one off the shelf, unlocked. Otherwise, and my heart goes out to you, hacking it is. If you’re relatively saavy, it’s a straightforward job (and pretty much stress-free, once you realised just how robust that iPhone is against firmware installation stuffups), although there’s lots of reading to do first, and lots of it is carelessly written. Ahh, well. One day Apple may wise up and ditch AT&T =)

    Wow, I think that was a blog post in itself!

  • Susan

    Good advice.

    Surprisingly high phone and internet bills are a kick in the ass. It’s happened to me before and I’d rather not have to deal with it again.

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  • maggie

    I got dinged when I was in Vegas, and I only used my phone to coordinate my job interview… I go delightfully disconnected as much as possible, I find that’s the cheapest way ;) But then I’m not a travel blogger, so I can get away with vacationing in a black hole.. ;D

  • http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com Trisha Miller

    On a related note, I think a lot of people don’t realize that there are a lot of places here in the US where it’s difficult to find publicly-available high-speed internet, let alone access that is relatively cheap or even free (unless you want to sit in coffee shops or some chain fast-food restaurants, and even then it’s still generally unavailable in small towns).

    So I really like some of the pay-as-you-go options for using the cellular network, like Cricket’s plans – when you spend a lot of time on the road they can be well worth the cost!

  • http://www.adventurerob.com AdventureRob

    I’m struggling to believe this new 4G network will be anywhere near as cheap as buying local SIM cards and using free wifi connections wherever you travel. Even in the US. Whilst technology and being connected is important to me, doing things as cheaply as possible is even more so.

  • http://corn-bean.com linlah

    Yeah, sponsors. Someday I’ll go somewhere and then I might need this, let’s hope that’s soon.

  • http://www.DeniseMichaels.com Denise Michaels

    Our cell phone contract is complete in a couple more weeks so the truth is that all bets are off as far as my loyalty to Sprint. We’ve been with them about four years and I think their prices and service are reasonable – but if we can find a better deal, we’ll probably go with it. Here in Vegas there are so many places where you can get free wifi it almost seems like overkill to pay for an air card.

    I’m working double time trying to keep up with my regular business and work on creating streams of internet income so I can become location independent. My aim is to create a life that’s an excellent adventure.

    All the best,

    Denise Michaels Excellent Adventure
    http://www.DeniseMichaels.com

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    Ahhh, thanks Michael!! I’m so clueless when it comes to this stuff, I just can’t wrap my head around it all. I’ll be following your blog about it though, I need to not pay $200 phone bills every time I go somewhere…

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    For real, I’m just happy it wasn’t higher.

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    I tend to do the same, usually. Until I get drunk and the phone comes out.

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    Never heard of Cricket, I shall check them out! Thanks Trisha.

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    Same here, Rob. I guess it remains to be seen!

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    Hahaha, same here.

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    Same, and now that I’m moving for an undetermined amount of time, it might be wise to explore my options.