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Travel 101: How to Stay Connected When Traveling Abroad

How to Stay Connected When Traveling Abroad

Have you experienced taking a cab in a foreign land only to find out that you are just 3 or 4 blocks away from your point of origin? Not for me, I always make sure I have Google Maps and a reliable data connection anywhere I go. Are you worrying about spending too much money for a cup of noodles in Tokyo? Well, I always have currency converter app on my mobile phone. But how do I stay connected whenever Im overseas? Read on….

Use Google Map Mobile App
Use Google Map Mobile App

A few years ago, I used to buy a SIM card every time I arrived at a foreign destination just so that I could stay connected. It’s easy to obtain one, you only need to present your passport and you can buy a local SIM card from any convenience store.

Currency Conversion App
Currency Conversion App

The SIM card usually has limited free data, SMS and call allowance and you need to top it up if you want to extend your data usage. Over the years, I have collected more than a dozen SIM cards; since each of these has an expiration date, I end up having to buy a new one for each trip.

Stop buying Foreign Sim Cards
Stop buying Foreign Sim Cards

I recently discovered that using data roaming is much easier since I no longer need to buy a SIM card for data connection. Buying a new SIM card lets you enjoy free SMS and call service but who needs it when you can use your roaming data through Skype and other mobile messaging apps? Using your SIM card means that you will still receive important texts and calls.

Use Mobile Apps to send messages
Use Mobile Apps to send messages

I constantly update my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts about where I am, what I’m doing and even what I’m eating whenever I’m travelling. To stay connected, I just update my location, turn on data roaming and that’s it! I no longer need to choose a network provider when I travel. With the enhanced Smart Surf Abroad 550, I’m automatically connected to any of their partner networks.

Share your photos Instantly via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your photos Instantly via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

I don’t need to worry about excessive data roaming charges because charges are set at a daily flat rate. Smart Surf Abroad 550 is available for Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity subscribers. You will be charged a flat rate of P550 from 12AM-11:59PM of the visited country. If you decide not to use it anymore, then you can always switch the data roaming off on your smartphone.

I don’t need to worry anymore when I’ve forgotten to print my airline ticket or hotel reservation confirmation; I can access it anytime online when I’m subscribed to Smart data roaming.

Lost your printed airline ticket? Just present your online copy at the checkin counter
Lost your printed airline ticket? Just present your online copy at the check-in counter

Am I Bill Shock Protected? Since I only get data connection from a Smart Partner Network theres a guarantee that Im not gonna incur additional charges other than fixed P550/day Smart Surf Abroad rate!

I 100% support paperless trips; I stopped using paper maps and bulky travel guide books since I can easily use google maps and read my favorite travel blogs for guides and recommendations.

No English No Problem
No English No Problem! Use Google Translate Mobile App

I used to have two mobile subscriptions from two different networks but over the years, I decided just to retain one SIM. Travelling for almost two decades made me a Smarter and Better person… in soooooo many aspects.

Life is awesome! Let’s #TravelMore 🙂

Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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