Update
You can save up to 70% on data roaming with Vodacom. Pay only R5/MB in 15 European countries until 31 August 2013.
If you’re not careful, when you return home from overseas travel, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you get your cellphone bill. But a bit of careful planning can make the whole staying-in-touch-while-abroad experience convenient and inexpensive.
Staying in touch while travelling internationally can be convenient and inexpensive.
Cellphone networks have roaming agreements with operators in other countries which means you can use your phone or tablet in those countries and be billed at home. However, you need to keep an eye on costs because they can be exorbitant in some territories and depending on what price plan you’re on. For example, using a South African SIM card, data costs in some regions can be as high as R128 per MB which adds up to a fearsome amount pretty quickly.
By making sure you’re aware of the costs and options, you can stay connected to email, social networks and make calls, wherever you are – at a reasonable price.
Try these tips before jetting off:
- Activate international roaming before you leave – If you need to use your Vodacom SIM card while travelling, you have to activate international roaming before leaving, otherwise you won’t be able to make or receive phone calls, SMSes or data. It’s also possible to active SMS roaming only. This disables your call and data services, but means you can still keep in touch via SMS, which is an affordable way to keep in touch. (For more detailed information about international roaming, how to activate it, costs and options, take a look here);
- Watch out for voicemail – Unlike in South Africa, where it’s free, if you use your phone overseas to make calls to your voicemail or Vodacom’s customer care line (111), you will be charged international rates for the call;
- Use Wi-Fi when you can – Many hotels, restaurants and other public spaces offer free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of Wi-Fi whenever you can and avoid international data costs entirely while you’re on the go;
- Turn-off mobile data – Be sure to deactivate your mobile data unless you really need to use it. That way your phone won’t be using data without your knowledge and you won’t be left with a sky-high bill.
