Traveling internationally can be an exhilarating experience, but it comes with its challenges and sometimes, inconveniences. One of the challenges you’ll face as a frequent traveler or a first timer is the significant increase in phone rates, usually caused by additional roaming fees. To avoid this, travelers are advised to purchase an eSIM particular to the destination they’re visiting. For instance, if you’re visiting Singapore, The Garden City, getting a Singapore eSim would help reduce roaming fees throughout your stay.
However, that’s just one solution. There are other ways to reduce high phone charges.
In this article, we’ll be showing you other ways to use your phone internationally with minimal charges.
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Opt-in for a Local SIM Card
Getting a local SIM card upon your arrival is a good alternative to the eSIM option. If you will be making many calls and using your phone a lot, especially in a destination you’ll be visiting frequently, getting a local SIM card will help you avoid the high international charges.
With a local SIM card, you get to enjoy data connection and send text messages at the same rate as the locals in your destination. These SIM cards are also affordable and are compatible with your mobile phone.
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Connect to a Wi-Fi Network
You can easily avoid roaming charges by making use of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout your stay. Hotels and cafes in different destinations offer free Wi-Fi. You can connect to any network within your reach.
However, free Wi-Fi networks aren’t always safe when dealing with sensitive data. To improve your data protection, use a VPN when browsing with free Wi-Fi.
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Keep Your Airplane Mode On
To avoid the extra charges, turn your airplane mode on. This would put a halt to your phone’s cellular services and prevent accidental charges from sending text messages, using your data connection, or putting a call through.
You can still connect to a Wi-Fi network to stay connected to the internet. This way, you can make phone calls and send text messages via applications such as Facetime, Whatsapp, Instagram, and many more.
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Stop Mobile Applications From Running in the Background
Keep your phone applications from updating automatically or syncing data in the background by turning off the Background App Refresh option.
When you stop apps from running in the background, you can avoid unexpected charges and monitor your data usage.
You also save more on roaming charges by shutting down non-vital apps. Having only the important apps on will put you at a lesser risk of dealing with extra charges.
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Turn Off Roaming Before You Arrive at Your Destination
Data roaming is the major culprit of high phone charges. To avoid potential exorbitant fees, turn off your data roaming before you travel and keep it that way. Your phone won’t automatically connect to foreign networks when data roaming is off, which means no unexpected charges.
Conclusion
You don’t have to worry about significantly high phone charges when you travel anymore. With these tips, you get to stay connected to that internet, make calls, and send text messages without being charged extra for it.
