Going away on holiday is a great opportunity to disconnect from the world wide web and immerse yourself in new cultures, landscapes, and experiences. At the same time, you’ll probably still want to use the internet now and again, whether it’s to find a good place for dinner, check directions, or stay in touch with those at home.
Unfortunately, most cell networks charge extortionate rates for data roaming, which is why it’s sensible to do your research in advance and come up with an alternative. Of course, short jaunts to places nearby might be covered in the terms and conditions of your agreement, but trips to farther-flung destinations are trickier – which is why an eSIM in Japan might make sense, for example. In any case, we’ll run through the various options available to you below.
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Check the Small Print
Before you do anything else, it’s sensible to check your contract with your existing service provider. As mentioned above, there is a possibility that your network will have an arrangement in place whereby you can continue using your phone as normal with no additional charges. However, such stipulations are few and far between and generally only ever apply to select destinations that are either located near your home country or have some diplomatic, political, or commercial affiliation with them. Still, it doesn’t hurt to find out.
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Investigate Roaming Packages
Once you’ve established that data roaming will indeed be necessary to continue surfing the web abroad, you shouldn’t just accept the default terms and conditions that your provider offers. You can ask them about specific overseas deals they can give you, but you should also take the time to conduct a thorough search to find the best package for your needs. Of course, if switching providers is involved, you’ll want to be sure you can switch back seamlessly. You should also pay attention to what is meant by “per day” charges since this can refer to a 24-hour period or up until 23.59 on the day in question.
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Get a Local SIM
Another alternative is to buy a local SIM upon arrival in the country you’re visiting. There are usually stalls selling these items in the airport, but failing that, they’ll definitely be available in convenience or telecommunications stores.
The advantage here is that you’ll likely access a better rate in terms of the price you pay, but it’s not without its heavy lifting in the shape of acquiring the SIM, installing it in your phone, and activating it via the sometimes-convoluted setup process. The whole experience can be particularly troublesome if you’re visiting a place where the native language is not English.
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Go Ultra-modern with an eSIM
A far easier and more innovative solution to the problem is to use an eSIM card. These futuristic gadgets are already installed in the most technologically advanced models from a variety of big-name manufacturers and can be activated remotely simply by purchasing a prepaid eSIM package, scanning a QR code, and following the onscreen instructions. They’re available for a variety of durations to fit all schedules and budgets and don’t involve any fiddling around with a physical SIM. As well as the convenience, they’re also reliable, secure, and relatively affordable. Of course, they are only an option for compatible devices, though.
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Look for Public Networks
If price is the biggest deciding factor, you could always forgo a constant connection and simply log on to public Wi-Fi networks. Depending on your destination, these are often freely available in hotels, restaurants, museums, libraries, and other public spaces. You could also download music, films, and e-books onto your device before leaving home to minimize the bandwidth you’ll require away.
However, it should be noted that this route is more unreliable (since networks are not ubiquitous and are prone to failure) and also more insecure than any of the other alternatives mentioned. Public Wi-Fi is a notorious hunting ground for cyber criminals, so never use sensitive sites (such as banking portals) on them.
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Pack a Pocket Wi-Fi
One way to get around the uncertainty and insecurity of public Wi-Fi networks is to go private. Pocket Wi-Fi (or Portable Wi-Fi) devices can be carried around with you and activated to send out a network signal to all compatible phones, laptops, and other appliances in their immediate vicinity. The upside is that you can connect on demand without needing a fiber optic connection or mains electricity, but the downsides include limited battery life, potentially weak signals, and a high cost-per-data-consumed ratio.
Want to have internet connectivity while you’re away? Don’t pay the scandalous prices involved in data roaming agreements – use one of these handy alternatives instead.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
