How To Avoid International Cellphone Bill Shock

Have you been devastated by a sky-high wireless phone bill after an international trip? It’s easy to rack up a huge bill using your phone in other countries if you don’t do your homework first. Here are tips and options that will help you save money:

 Check with your wireless provider to see if your phone will work where you’re going and what the rates will be. Ask if your carrier offers international data roaming plans or other discount services.

 Buy or rent an inexpensive phone for the country you’ll be visiting.
If you’re a frequent international traveler, consider buying a “world phone” that will work anywhere. See www.worldphones.com.

 If your phone is capable, consider replacing your American SIM card with a country-specific SIM card. You can buy one at your destination airport. Be aware that roaming charges will apply if you travel to a different country so if you’re staying in the second country awhile, you may want to buy another SIM card. Note that your phone will have a different number!

 Sign up for Skype (calling over the internet) to use on your laptop or some smartphones (like iPhone). You can get unlimited Wi-Fi in over 70 countries at a reasonable rate through a service like Boingo Wireless.

 Buy an international calling card at your destination that you can use from a land line. (A good idea if you’ll be on conference calls where call quality is important.) Remember, if you use the calling card from your mobile phone, regular minute charges will apply.

 Be sure to look into the cost of international texting. Talk to your provider or go to www.squidoo.com/international_text_messaging.