We know that international roaming, especially data roaming is prohibitively expensive. And we know that, because its fabulously profitable for mobile operators, this is unlikely to change anytime soon.<\/p>\n
But there are ways to roam for cheaper. Many executives (probably the majority) couldn\u2019t be bothered about whether data costs R2 per MB or R128 per MB, because they don\u2019t pay their phone bill \u2013 the company does.<\/p>\n
But, given that smartphones are practically part of our lives, those of us who don\u2019t have a large corporate footing our bill every month (handled by another department, so we don\u2019t even see our statement) have to find ways to stay connected while travelling while not bankrupting ourselves in the process.<\/p>\n
Local SIM<\/strong><\/p>\n The most obvious solution is to ‘simply’ buy a SIM card when you land in the country you\u2019re visiting. Often this is not as simple as it sounds, especially when there\u2019s a language barrier, or when the country you\u2019re visiting uses different technology to our GSM networks (like CDMA).<\/p>\n The rollout of LTE globally in different frequency bands by country, is going to complicate this dramatically going forward. But, prepaid SIMs are cheap (sometimes free), and loading data onto them isn\u2019t difficult.<\/p>\n Be prepared to endure a RICA-like process when you buy a SIM (passports, proof of address, DNA samples) and don\u2019t be shocked when you convert the cost of data bundles back to rands.<\/p>\n It’s expensive out there! On AT&T in the US, for example, 1GB of data on prepaid is going to cost you $25 (+\/- R225). On Orange in the UK, 1GB of data will cost you \u00a312 (+\/- R170).<\/p>\n SIM before you leave<\/strong><\/p>\n There are companies which allow you to buy foreign or global SIMs in South Africa before you leave. Execmobile, for instance, offers three different data SIM cards (US, Europe-focused, global) and pocket WiFi devices.<\/p>\n Flyconnected offers specific SIM cards for either the UK, US or Australia. Flyconnected differs from Execmobile, in that it offers full prepaid SIMs (including minutes, text messages and data).<\/p>\n The Execmobile service is useful if you only want to connect to the internet when abroad, or if you want to roam on your existing number with voice calls and SMSs. Flyconnected practically gives you a new number for the country you\u2019re travelling to.<\/p>\n Mobile hotspot<\/strong><\/p>\n The mobile hotspot option is attractive in that it offers access to mobile internet for more than just one device. You could carry this with you and be tethered to it on your smartphone, your tablet and even your laptop. No more expensive hotel Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n iPad or tablet with a mobile hotspot<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have a tablet which supports a mobile hotspot (like the iPad \u2013 third generation or later), you don\u2019t even need a mobile WiFi device. You could easily use a data SIM (pre-purchased here or on the ground when you land) and then tether your smartphone and other devices to your tablet.<\/p>\n Special rates<\/strong><\/p>\n As a last resort, utilising the special rates offered by local mobile operators will save you money when you\u2019re abroad. Vodacom offers a service called Vodafone World.<\/p>\n When activated, you\u2019ll be charged ‘only’ R17.50 per MB on selected Vodafone and partner networks. But, be warned, at R17.50, you\u2019ll be able to rack up a bill of a few hundred or thousand rand very quickly on your smartphone.<\/p>\n Finally, if you are roaming and don\u2019t want to be shocked by a bill running into thousands of rands on your return to South Africa, turn off all data services (this is a very simple setting on most smartphones).<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re not actively using data while abroad, there is a big risk that applications in the background (location services, maps, update checks, services like iMessage and the like) could eat through hundreds of megabytes without you even realising it!<\/p>\n * Hilton Tarrant contributes to ‘Broadband’, a column on Moneyweb covering the ICT sector in South Africa. He\u2019s never roamed overseas, ever. Rather, he buys a prepaid SIM in the country he visits \u2013 once in embarrassingly broken German \u2013 to stay connected.<\/em><\/p>\n Source: Moneyweb<\/a><\/p>\n Roaming prices: Vodacom vs MTN vs Cell C vs 8ta<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Why roaming prices are insanely expensive<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Roaming data rate: R534,477 per GB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n R140,000 Bill: \u2018Roaming is a bitch\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore about international roaming<\/h3>\n