Using a Cellphone Overseas

Don’t make the mistake of assuming your phone will fine abroad. You’ll either be hit with a boatload of fees or be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no service. Follow these tips to ensure your cellphone stays connected overseas.

Stay on WiFi

Wireless Internet is becoming ubiquitous in urban areas around the world, which will get you by in a pinch. Apps like WhatsApp and Viber allow users to freely communicate without a cellphone network, and there are portable WiFi hotspots available that will also be useful for your laptop

Get Unlocked

If you’ve got a GSM phone, you can ask your wireless company to unlock the device and open it to networks around the world, though some companies won’t do this unless your phone has been paid off or has had an account for more than 90 days. International plans can be expensive, but can be opted in and out at anytime, so check with your carrier for options.

Buying vs. Renting

If your phone uses a SIM card, you can buy one for the local network at a cheap price, often with minutes included. There are also international phones available for purchase and renting that will work on hundreds of networks, perfect for backpackers going through multiple countries.