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9 roaming tips to help you avoid nasty surprises on your vacation abroad

In telecommunications, bill shock is the negative reaction a subscriber can experience if their phone bill has unexpected charges, and roaming charges also. avoid roaming charges

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Bill shock can happen when, for example, a user grossly overuses data applications without an appropriate data plan, or uses a mobile device while roaming (whether domestically or internationally) without understanding the voice or data roaming charges involved.

Follow these tips to avoid roaming charges:
  1. Use apps instead of your internet browser: Many services that you usually access via the Internet are also available via apps News portals, timetables, travel information or restaurant guides. Upload these apps to your smartphone before your vacation. Then you can search for everything you need to know later using apps. This uses less data than Internet surfing.
  2. Use the offline function for Google Maps and other apps: On your vacation, you often need maps and travel guides. With Google Maps, you can download maps for the regions you need beforehand and use them later in the offline mode. Spotify playlists also have an offline mode: Select a playlist and click on “Download.” You can then find your way around and listen to your music without using data.
  3. Disable automatic updates for your apps: Something very few people know: Apps can automatically update and this uses a large amount of data. Make sure that your apps only update when you’re connected to WLAN. It’s easy to set this up on your smartphone.
    • Apple: Go to “Automatic Downloads” under “Settings” in the iTunes and App Store and switch off the apps.
    • Android: In the Play Store App, select “Allow automatic app updates only via WLAN” in “Settings.”
  4. Disable push download of e-mails: “Let me just quickly check my e-mail.” When on vacation, this can mean you use a lot of data volume— even if your e-mails are very short. Just think of all the junk mail you usually delete right away. In general, you should only open attachments when connected to WLAN. In the settings, disable the push download for your e-mails so that you can download the messages manually.
  5. Purchase a data package in advance: With Lebara mobile, you can sign up for a data package that fits your needs. You can check the current status of your roaming option at any time via SMS for free. That way, you can save money while using mobile data on the go and have full cost control.
  6. Turn on airplane mode: In airplane mode, no calls or data connections are possible, so you cannot incur any charges. But you can still listen to music and play games, and you can also take photos and videos. So if you want to be unreachable for a while and also protect your battery and mobile phone, simply switch on airplane mode. You can also switch off data roaming. This way, you can still receive calls without using data that will incur costs.
  7. Switch off the Combox before your trip: Calls that are forwarded to your voice mailbox cost three times as much: This is because not only do you pay for listening to the combox – you also pay for the connection abroad and for forwarding the call to the combox. This service can be extremely expensive abroad. Therefore, you must switch off the combox before your vacation.
  8. Use the free hotel WLAN: Most hotels offer free or very inexpensive Internet access. So if you want to surf in social networks once in a while during your vacation or want to search for the most interesting tourist attractions, simply use the hotel’s WLAN. Ideally, it is a secure, encrypted connection.
  9. eSIM – Consider using an eSIM for data connectivity while traveling abroad. eSIMs are virtual SIM cards that can be downloaded onto your phone, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. This allows you to easily switch between local data plans without having to juggle multiple SIM cards. avoid roaming charges

Driven by wanderlust and a passion for tech, Sandra is the creative force behind Alertify. Love for exploration and discovery is what sparked the idea for Alertify, a product that likely combines Sandra’s technological expertise with the desire to simplify or enhance travel experiences in some way.