One of the most frustrating things about travelling abroad, whether it be mainland Europe or beyond, is the roaming charges that you will inevitably have to pay. The cost of using a smartphone abroad for both calls and data usage can be huge and so it is really important you make sure that you shop around for the best deal. This can seem like a tedious process. However, it really can be worthwhile and in the long run save you a lot of money. This short article will give you some helpful information on how to ensure that you are getting the best deal for your roaming charges.
Analyse your mobile phone usage
A great way to get started in making sure that you are getting the right deal for your roaming charges is to start by assessing what it is that you are currently spending on your current contract. This is a really helpful exercise that can help you choose the right contract. There are several websites that will analyse your bills automatically if you provide them with a few basic details. One website in particular is approved by the regulatory body in the UK that governs mobile phone providers. The analysis provides you with a detailed breakdown on your mobile phone usage so that you can understand exactly what you are using when. This will include roaming charges.
This service will then provide you with matches for several new mobile contracts based on your usage. This can be very helpful in finding the best deal. Of course, you need to also take account of any upfront costs with the contract and the handset that you are getting. It is worth taking some time to look at all these options in detail.
There are also several useful internet comparison websites that will help you look for great mobile phone deals. They will set out the monthly and upfront cost clearly and give detailed information about what is included in the package. A quick internet search will bring up several websites that you can compare prices on. This is another useful way to compare the deals with the best roaming charges for your needs.
Using a local Sim Card
Another option if you are mid way through your contract, is the option to purchase a local sim card and use it with your current phone. This could be particularly helpful if you tend to visit one country in particular on a regular basis. This can often be cheaper than using a UK mobile phone abroad. The problem with this is that your phone must be unlocked from your usual network provider to use it, although it may be worth purchasing a cheap handset in the country you are visiting. Another option is to use a dual sim mobile phone which will allow you to put both your UK and international sim card into the phone. This could be a great option and is worth comparing to your option for using your UK phone abroad.
Use Wifi calling
Another solution is to use the internet for wifi calling whilst you are abroad. Using this method to call mobile telephones can be a great solution. To do this, you will need an internet based calling app such as WhatsApp or FaceTime. Both these apps allow phone calls to be made over the internet without any call charges. However, both these solutions do rely on a data connection. You will need to connect to a local Wifi service therefore in order to make calls as using your data allowance will probably work out to be expensive. The other thing to remember with this option is that you are unable to phone landlines or mobile phones that do not have a Wifi calling app installed.
There is certainly a lot to consider when choosing the optimum mobile phone package with the cheapest roaming charges for your needs. Start by considering your current usage, before moving on to comparing deals appropriate for your needs. Finally, think about what the alternatives are for you. If you do this, then you are sure to reduce your roaming charges while using your mobile phone abroad.