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IT SEEMS WE CAN DO
almost anything on our
smartphones these days, as long aswe staywithin
our network. When we go outside it—as anyone
who’s tried updating a Facebook page in real time
with photos from the slopes of Mount Kiliman-
jaro knows—the roaming charges can pile up,
making the decision to bring a phone along on
our trip look less than savvy. Fortunately, there
are plenty of money-saving solutions available to
the international traveler. Here are some of the
best for staying connected while on the move.
GET A GLOBAL ROAMING PLAN
Only Verizon and AT&T offer bulk international
data packages, and for as li le as $25 per month
for 50 MB (which should cover the occasional
weather or news check, but anything more will
require a higher limit). By contrast, without a
roaming plan you’ll wind up paying around $6
for each Facebook message you read while
When in
Roam
How to get the most from
your smartphone when
traveling internationally
BY TOM SAMILJAN
48
APRIL 2012
•
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
ILLUSTRATION BY NEIL WEBB