Using your cell phone abroad!! Easy peasy, right!?! Call you provider, change your plan to something called, oh I don’t know, “Unlimited Call, Text and Data International Plan”, or some other catchy name, pay 50 extra bucks a month and, Woo HOO, the next thing you know you’re texting selfies to your BFF 6000 miles away, checking in on Facebook on the Champs de Elysee and Tweeting “OMG! #TowerOfLondon #lunchonthethames #fullyepic”… right? (insert “needle scratching record” sound effect) Um, WRONG!! I know what you’re thinking: “Oh you poor, sad, disillusioned little optimist…*sigh* smh.” But, seriously, it really shouldn't be this difficult, should it? After all, going on a trip abroad isn't a particularly original idea. I want to travel internationally, not travel to the International Space Station. SHEESH! However, after two calls to my cell phone provider, two visits to their local storefront, several visits to their website, two visits to the Apple store, countless online searches, and inquires to practically everyone I've ever met, I came to the conclusion that the solution was going to be neither simple nor easy. I mean, sure, you can call, text, FB, Tweet and use your GPS to your hearts content but not without coming home to a cell phone bill that is, roughly, the equivalent of a round trip ticket from LAX to Heathrow.
Normally I’m a woman who likes a lot of information so I can come to my own informed decisions based on what best suits my needs. But after weeks of research without resolution, all I really wanted was for someone to just TELL me what the heck to do! I wanted to find the best/cheapest/easiest way to stay safe and connected while I travel (and when I say “stay safe and connected” I, of course, mean “feed my addiction to electronics”) and to do so at a reasonable and predictable cost. Is that too much to ask? So that’s exactly what I set out to do. I messaged a trusted friend who is something of a tech guru and travels extensively and said: “Please, just tell me what to do” Here was my answer: Find out if my own cell phone has a sim card and is GSM compatible; if so, get it unlocked by my carrier, if that's something they'll do... Mine is a yes on all three counts! Otherwise, get an inexpensive, used, unlocked, 4G, Android phone before I leave. When I arrive in London buy a pre-paid, GSM phone/data/text card. Done. Thank you! Sadly, this is not the first time I was given this information… someone near and dear had told me this at least a month ago but I was still in the “gung ho, information gathering” phase when I heard it. Oh, the folly of youth!!
I’ve also been advised to take along my iPad and take advantage of free wifi available at my various lodgings, etc. Another great tip I’ve gotten is, if you're going to use a phone other than your own, to be SURE you have the data, roaming feature, etc, on your regular cell phone from home turned OFF when you travel or you’ll be, financially speaking, very, very sorry.
Now I’m not saying this is the single, definitive answer, nor am I suggesting that this is what you should do. I’m new to this and I’m just learning. What I am saying is this is the advice given to me by trusted friends. I suggest that you do your own research (provided that you possess the emotional fortitude required to navigate THAT particular labyrinth), talk to your trusted circle, and do what works best for you. Got it?? Great!!
Now I want to hear from you!! Have you traveled abroad? If so what have you tried that did or didn’t work? Are you planning a trip? What are you planning on doing? Have any tips you’d like to pass along or mistakes we should avoid? Let’s start the conversation and help one another out! Comment below and please be sure to check the small “notify me of new comments” box so you’ll be made aware of any feedback! Thanks so much & happy travels!! ~Amie~
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT ALL CLEAR-MINDED PEOPLE SHOULD REMAIN TWO THINGS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES: CURIOUS AND TEACHABLE.”
~ROGER EBERT~
Normally I’m a woman who likes a lot of information so I can come to my own informed decisions based on what best suits my needs. But after weeks of research without resolution, all I really wanted was for someone to just TELL me what the heck to do! I wanted to find the best/cheapest/easiest way to stay safe and connected while I travel (and when I say “stay safe and connected” I, of course, mean “feed my addiction to electronics”) and to do so at a reasonable and predictable cost. Is that too much to ask? So that’s exactly what I set out to do. I messaged a trusted friend who is something of a tech guru and travels extensively and said: “Please, just tell me what to do” Here was my answer: Find out if my own cell phone has a sim card and is GSM compatible; if so, get it unlocked by my carrier, if that's something they'll do... Mine is a yes on all three counts! Otherwise, get an inexpensive, used, unlocked, 4G, Android phone before I leave. When I arrive in London buy a pre-paid, GSM phone/data/text card. Done. Thank you! Sadly, this is not the first time I was given this information… someone near and dear had told me this at least a month ago but I was still in the “gung ho, information gathering” phase when I heard it. Oh, the folly of youth!!
I’ve also been advised to take along my iPad and take advantage of free wifi available at my various lodgings, etc. Another great tip I’ve gotten is, if you're going to use a phone other than your own, to be SURE you have the data, roaming feature, etc, on your regular cell phone from home turned OFF when you travel or you’ll be, financially speaking, very, very sorry.
Now I’m not saying this is the single, definitive answer, nor am I suggesting that this is what you should do. I’m new to this and I’m just learning. What I am saying is this is the advice given to me by trusted friends. I suggest that you do your own research (provided that you possess the emotional fortitude required to navigate THAT particular labyrinth), talk to your trusted circle, and do what works best for you. Got it?? Great!!
Now I want to hear from you!! Have you traveled abroad? If so what have you tried that did or didn’t work? Are you planning a trip? What are you planning on doing? Have any tips you’d like to pass along or mistakes we should avoid? Let’s start the conversation and help one another out! Comment below and please be sure to check the small “notify me of new comments” box so you’ll be made aware of any feedback! Thanks so much & happy travels!! ~Amie~
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT ALL CLEAR-MINDED PEOPLE SHOULD REMAIN TWO THINGS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES: CURIOUS AND TEACHABLE.”
~ROGER EBERT~
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