Due to the ever-increasing popularity and functionality of smart devices like Apple's iPhone, it is no longer practical to leave these gadgets at home while traveling. However, while these devices are relied on more for a wide range of purposes, it is important to understand how to avoid accumulating massive data roaming charges when abroad.
PC Advisor recently cited reports that suggest the average smartphone user uses nearly 500MB of data per month. If you are roaming, this could add up to some serious fees. Roaming is when you use your mobile device on another network while still being billed by your existing provider. When roaming, the mobile phone company that manages the network you use temporarily will bill your regular provider for every call made on their network.
Tips for avoiding roaming charges
The Mac Observer's Sandro Cuccia offered up some particularly useful information for avoiding particularly high fees, noting that there are two types of networks that your iPhone can utilize for communications purposes: cellular and Wi-Fi. With the cellular network, your iPhone can engage in both telephony and data communications, while Wi-Fi handles only data.
Acquiring a solid Wi-Fi connection enables your to use data without having to rely on your provider for any cellular data communications. However, you typically cannot use cellular telephony with a Wi-Fi connection so any calls and text messages could still mean high fees. Airport Mode is another connectivity option, which turns off all radio transmissions. Cuccia explained that you can put your iPhone in Airport Mode and manually enable Wi-Fi only.
“During a trip abroad, there are additional measures you can, and should, take to reduce the chances of amassing excessive communications charges by your service provider,” Cuccia wrote. “You need to adjust some of you iPhone's cellular settings, restrict usage to Wi-Fi only, where practical, and monitor your cellular data usage.”
While abroad, you should avoid downloading or streaming multimedia content, including music, video, photos and other graphics. Also, Cuccia emphasized not to give into the temptation to download any apps. It is generally a good idea to turn off your iPhone's Cellular Data “Master Switch” by going to your Settings, then General, then Cellular, and sliding the button to the OFF position.
Now that you know how to avoid massive additional fees, you can take your handy device with you wherever you go. However, should you drop or break your device while on the go, keep iResQ's iPhone repair services in mind to fix any problems.