Avoid expensive roaming fees when traveling this holiday season

With so many Americans traveling during the upcoming season, it’s becoming more and more important to stay in touch with friends and family over the holidays. However, using your cell phone abroad can be up to 10 times more expensive than it is in the US. To help out, we’ve made a list of the best ways to stay connected, without expensive roaming fees!

During the upcoming holiday season, many of us choose to travel abroad to visit friends and family outside the States or simply to enjoy a couple of weeks somewhere different. It’s the time of the year when we want to share photos, stories and our experiences with those closest to us. However, keeping in touch while abroad can be very expensive. The cost of using mobile data on your cell phone abroad can be up to 10 times more expensive than using your phone at home or using a local operator.

- Since operator prices for roaming and using your phone abroad can cost hundreds of dollars, many travelers change their behavior while on vacation. It’s a shame, since most people usually need internet access more than ever when they’re traveling! They may want to use their cell as a GPS or upload photos to Instagram or check flight times, says Emma Heimonen, CEO of HolidayPhone

Depending on what type of traveler you are, there are several solutions which allow you to use your cell phone on vacation, just the way you do at home, without changing your behavior. One of the best solutions for anyone who is away for a longer period of time and doesn’t want to limit their data usage, is a local SIM card.

With a local prepaid SIM card at your destination country, you get to pay only local rates, which are always closer to your regular rates back home in the US. You have the possibility to use your cell like you do normally, without being limited by cost or expensive roaming data packages with very little data included.

Best ways to stay connected abroad:

Your home operator’s international data packages

Perfect if you travel often to several different countries and don’t plan on staying for a longer period of time.
Keep in mind: These data packages are often quite expensive and usually need to be added to your monthly fee, which means they will only give you value for your money if you travel often.

Free WiFi

This is a good solution if you are traveling for a shorter period of time and you only need a temporary internet connection.

Keep in mind: WiFi networks can be unsecure and can be used to store your personal data. Don’t use public WiFi networks when you are handling sensitive information such as work emails or passwords.

Local SIM card

This is the most cost-efficient alternative if you’re planning to stay abroad for a week or more in the same country and want to be able to use your cell phone like you do at home.

Keep in mind: There are many different SIM cards and it might be difficult to know which one to choose. To be sure you get a SIM card that fits your needs, order your SIM card before your trip (e.g. from www.holidayphone.com). You will get your SIM delivered straight to your mailbox so that you save valuable vacation time. 

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Sources:

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html
http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/global/plans-and-pricing.html
http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Learn_more_about_International_Data_Pack_Addon/case-gz982789-20120511-112920 

For more information, please contact: 

Emma Heimonen, CEO HolidayPhone, emma.heimonen@holidayphone.com
Melina Hägglund, Head of Marketing and Communication, +46(0)70 606 88 41, melina.hagglund@holidayphone.com

About HolidayPhone (www.holidayphone.com)

HolidayPhone helps international travelers bring their connected lifestyle abroad, at a cost that is always better than what your usual operator can offer. The company offers roaming-free services for mobile data, calls and texts in 30 different countries. HolidayPhone is active on the American, Nordic, German, British, French and Australian market. HolidayPhone has 8 e-commerce stores in 6 different languages. HolidayPhone’s headquarters are located in Stockholm, Sweden.

Follow HolidayPhone on: Twitter (@holidayphone), Facebook and LinkedIn.

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