Using Your Cell Phone While Traveling
If you are planning a vacation or business trip it might be important for you to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates while you are away. Cellular telephones have made this easier than ever before, but beware: using a cell phone can be costly if you travel outside your home coverage area.
Mobile phones or cellular phones are very convenient. Before you plan to use one as your primary method of communication while away for business or pleasure, research the costs associated with long-distance calling and think about alternatives that could save you time, money and hassles in the long run.
Most cellular services offer plans that include “home calling areas.” People generally select plans that afford them to talk on their mobile phones for the most minutes while in the areas they frequent the most. If you make or receive calls while outside of the area you select as your home calling area, be fully aware of the price you agreed to pay when you signed the dotted line. It’s great to travel and it’s great to get home again, unless a massive mobile phone bill greets you at the door.
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers telephone travel tips online at . There you can learn about many different methods of calling while away from home. With regard to cellular phones the FCC warns, “in the United States, whether you place or receive a call on your cell phone, you pay for the call.”
Contact Your Contract Carrier
Before you hit the road, contact your cellular phone plan provider to review your calling plan. Explain to a sales representative that you are planning to travel. Have details ready to explain in what parts of the state or country you plan to travel. It is entirely possible your provider can adjust your plan to better meet your travel needs. Be sure to ask about rates inside and outside of your home calling area. Roaming rates often apply the minute you leave your home calling area. Some plans offer a certain number of “free roaming minutes;” find out how many and budget your minutes for emergencies and required communications. Find out whether or not your calling plan will allow you to make calls outside the country – and at what cost.
The FCC warns that cellular phone company patrons should, “Read the fine print of your cell phone plan or call your carrier to find out whether pre-paid phone cards can be used with your cell phone. A prepaid card with a cell phone may not work, or it may boost the per-minute rate to where it would not be cost effective to use the cell phone with the pre-paid card.”
Cellular Phones and Overseas Travel
United States cell phone standards differ from those of other countries. You can pack your cell phone when you travel overseas, but it might not work once you get there. Don’t be disappointed, just plan ahead.
According to the FCC, there are many different digital standards used in the United States. Some calling plans still use the analog standard, others use the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), while most of the world uses the digital Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard. Cellular service providers in the United States recognize the compatibility problem and cellular phone manufacturers are now producing phones that work with many different types of technology and with different frequency bands. Plan to pay extra for these features.
In Europe and many other locations around the globe, GSM is the only type of cellular service available, according to the FCC. Some companies sell unlocked GSM phones to world travelers because unlocked phones allow users to switch Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and maintain service. Talk to your service provider about changing your phones SIM card to save money. When you buy a phone for this purpose, find out if the GSM phone you buy is locked or unlocked.
The FCC recommends removing the SIM card from your telephone when you travel overseas and placing it in a handset that operates on international frequencies. “The SIM card stores your personal information, including your phone number and address book,” according to the FCC.
If you acquire an unlocked GSM phone and the proper SIM card for the area in which you plan to travel, you could still run into problems with your cellular service. Be sure to ask your cellular sales representative just how much it will cost you to use your cell phone overseas. Find out about international roaming and other fees.
Why Not Rent a Phone?
Cell phone rentals are available in Europe. You can avoid the cost of new equipment by simply renting a cell phone once you get there. You can easily acquire a telephone, adapters and service at your destination. As always, make sure you completely understand the plan offered to you and find out if service is offered within other area countries that you plan to visit. You will probably have to pay an activation fee, a rental fee and a per-minute service charge. Plan to pay about $2 per minute when you call the United States from an overseas location. If cost is not a consideration, this is a convenient solution to a complicated problem. However, if you are concerned about finances, calling cards might ultimately be a less expensive alternative to keeping in touch and staying connected with friends, family members and business associates.
|
