Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most people enjoy the convenience of bringing their own smartphone. Horror stories
about sky-high roaming fees are dated and exaggerated, and major service providers work
hard to avoid surprising you with an exorbitant bill. With a little planning, you can use
your phone—for voice calls, messaging, and Internet access—without breaking the bank.
Start by figuring out whether your phone works in Europe. Most phones purchased
through AT&T and T-Mobile (which use the same technology as Europe) work abroad,
while only some phones from Verizon or Sprint do—check your operating manual (look
for “tri-band,” “quad-band,” or “GSM”). If you're not sure, ask your service provider.
Types of Roaming
“Roaming” with your phone—that is, using it outside of its home region, such as in
Europe—generally comes with extra charges, whether you are making voice calls, sending
texts, or reading your email. The fees listed here are for the three major American pro-
viders—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile; Sprint's roaming rates tend to be much higher. But
policies change fast, so get the latest details before your trip. For example, as of mid-2014,
T-Mobile waived voice and data roaming fees for some plans.
Voice calls
are the most expensive. Most providers charge from $1.29 to $1.99 per
minute to make or receive calls in Europe. (As you cross each border, you'll typically get
a text message explaining the rates in the new country.) If you plan to make multiple calls,
look into a global calling plan to lower the per-minute cost, or buy a package of minutes at
a discounted price (such as 30 minutes for $30). Note that you'll be charged for incoming
calls whether or not you answer them; to save money ask your friends to stay in contact
by texting, and to call you only in case of an emergency.
Text messaging
costs 20 to 50 cents per text. To cut that cost, you could sign up
for an international messaging plan (for example, $10 for 100 texts). Or consider apps
that let you text for free (iMessage for Apple, Google Talk for Android, or WhatsApp
for any device); however, these require you to use Wi-Fi or data roaming. Be aware that
Europeans use the term “SMS” (“short message service”) to describe text messaging.
Data roaming
means accessing an Internet signal that's carried over the cellular tele-
phone network. Prices have dropped dramatically in recent years, making this an afford-
able way to bridge gaps between Wi-Fi hotspots. You'll pay far less if you set up an in-
ternational data roaming plan. Most providers charge $25-30 for 100-120 megabytes of
data. That's plenty for basic Internet tasks—100 megabytes lets you view 100 websites
or send/receive 1,000 text-based emails, but you'll burn through that amount quickly by
streaming videos or music. If your data use exceeds your plan amount, most providers will
automatically kick in an additional 100- or 120-megabyte block for the same price. (For
more on Wi-Fi versus data roaming—including strategies for conserving your data—see
“Using Wi-Fi and Data Roaming,” later.)
