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How Can I Best Communicate with a Traveling Loved One?

When traveling, you always want to be in touch, be able to call your family to say that you had a great flight, or post a beautiful photo on Instagram. But then you can be very disappointed when you see the phone bill. So, how to stay in touch with your loved one abroad and not go broke on roaming? Let’s find out!

Install a special calling app

Have you ever heard about international calling services? These are mobile applications allowing you to save on calls in roaming significantly. For example, cheap calling to Ethiopia with Yolla will cost you no more than $0.23/min both for mobile and landline calls. This is completely cheaper than roaming tariffs, and you will pay almost the usual price as locals. The program will be especially convenient for those who live in two countries. If your spouse has a stable internet connection, you can also consider the below options.

Use Wi-Fi

If you have a modern smartphone, then always remember that your phone is constantly transmitting data from the internet: updating programs, downloading e-mail, looking at traffic information and weather forecasts, etc. In order not to receive an unexpected bill for internet roaming, turn off automatic data updates in the program settings, as well as data roaming.

Use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. There are free Wi-Fi hotspots at airports, train stations, many restaurants, and cafés, for example, you can always connect to the internet at McDonald’s and Starbucks around the world.

SIM card for tourists

Many travel agencies now offer to purchase a tourist SIM card. It provides you with numerous advantages:

  • Firstly, it is the low cost of calls, SMS, and mobile internet;
  • Secondly, wherever you go, you will have the same number, many companies offer to link your local mobile number to a tourist SIM card, i.e., redirect it. Its cost depends on the operator and the country where you are going;
  • Thirdly, tourist SIM cards usually have no subscription fee. You only pay for calls when you are abroad.

If you are flying abroad for at least a week, then in most cases it is most profitable to buy a local SIM card. Many foreign operators provide prepaid SIM cards that work on the principle of Pay As You Go. If you need the internet, pay attention to the amount of mobile traffic included in the cost of a SIM card or its price.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to save on calls from abroad, and your task is to choose the one that suits you best. Staying in touch with your loved ones abroad is not difficult anymore, so don’t neglect this opportunity.

About the author

Saman Iqbal

Saman is a law student. She enjoys writing about tech, politics and the world in general. She's an avid reader and writes fictional prose in her free time.







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