Staying in touch
problem: I need to stay in touch with family and friends and/or business associates
solution: There are many. Read on, get informed
Just do a google search for cell phones and foreign countries. You will experience information overload that will probably leave you feeling more confused. If you’re looking for answers to how to stay in touch during your vagabonding or nomadic pursuits – we’re here to help.
It really shouldn’t be that difficult, and in fact, it’s not. What’s tough is sorting out which of the many options will be best for you. In this article, we will explore some of the options available to the neo-nomad, their advantages and disadvantages and hopefully get you on the right path to keeping in touch with the people you want to.
The first step in figuring out which type of communication method you want to use. To do that, you should be aware of which ones are available.
The mobile (cell) phone
in summary:
advantages:
You already know how to use it
Extremely convenient
Widely available – in some parts of the world where electricity availability is sketchy at best, mobile phone communications are available.
disadvantages
was confusing – before you read this article
pricing for calls is unclear
working out how to dial from/to a mobile phone can be a hassle
the scoop
Cell phones in the U.S. use different frequency and protocol than the phones in most other countries. The technicality of all of this is outside the scope of this article – and we don’t want to leave you any more confused than you may already be, so just trust that they call them “mobile” phones for a good reason – it’s not the same as spelling colour differently – or saying ‘zed’ instead of ‘z’(ee). The technology shouldn’t be important – you might not understand how a car engine works, but you are still able to use your car, right?
Buying a mobile phone and air time is far easier than it might seem. It is also reasonably economical. The easiest way to approach this is to simply buy a phone from a vendor at your destination. Vendors run the gamut from branded stores to people selling phones from card tables on the street. Just verify that the phone you are buying is ‘unlocked’ – meaning you will be able to use it on any network. If it’s not unlocked, you can usually find someone to unlock it for you for a nominal fee. Phones are available with a wide array of features – expect to find the same features or more as you would find on phones back in the U.S.
Another option is to check with your current service provider – increasingly U.S. providers are selling phones which are compatible with foreign frequencies and protocols. The advantage to this approach is that you retain your phone number. The disadvantages are that coverage is still limited in many places and the costs can be pretty high.
A compromise to the two methods above is to buy a phone/sim card combination from a vendor offering a ‘global’ or ‘travel’ sim card. This has the advantage of retention of one phone number with vast coverage. The cost is only slightly higher than buying sim cards as you go.
The sim card.
The sim card is simply a chip that you purchase that authorizes your telephone to use the network. For the traveler, the best and most hassle-free way to go is by buying prepaid sim cards to go with your phone. Just select a network that has wide coverage in the region where you’ll be and buy their card. Re-fill (top up) options will vary by provider, so check to see what works best for you.
VOIP communications
advantages:
inexpensive
widely available
keep the same number (with an incoming calls option)
disadvantage:
requires a connection to the internet
the scoop
With Skype you can make free calls over the Internet. Skype – the whole world can talk for free
Skype, Wengo and other providers are growing vast customer bases by providing Voice Over I.P. calls – this amounts to a phone call placed over the internet. The technology has come a long way over the past few years. The quality of these calls is approaching the level of regular phone calls – and in many cases surpassing it.
It is even possible to purchase a “phone” that works with wi-fi and your Skype account.
Calling Cards
advantage:
inexpensive
disadvantages:
sometimes difficult to use or only work in the locality where purchased
require the use of a pay phone – who wants to put one of those near their face?
the scoop
Pretty straight forward. There’s not a lot to say about a phone card – every vendor I’ve ever purchased one of these from was eager to explain the quirks of how to use their particular card.
Internet Cafes or Call Centers
advantages:
inexpensive
becoming increasingly available
disadvantages:
you have to find one – seems easier in less developed countries.
cost structures aren’t always clear.
That’s about all I can offer. I hope this clears up some things and helps you make a decision. Our favorite here at The Life Nomadic is one of the mobile phone options. The convenience factor is wonderful if you want to call ahead while on the bus to make lodging reservations.
I bought my first mobile phone in Bulgaria – all of the menus were in Cryllic and I had no idea what any of ‘em said – intuition got me through though.
Share your travel stories in the comments!
Will @ May 23, 2008
Comments (1)
There are lots of options to stay connected with your loved ones. For me, I prefer calling cards preferably from pingo.com. Aside from cheaper rates, they are convenient. You can use them anywhere and at anytime that you want. And they have a good calling quality that you can trust.