Data plans when abroad?

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by Ben Schlappig Guest November 3, 2015, 9:21 pm

Data plans when abroad?

Anonymous Guest
November 3, 2015, 9:21 pm

Hi OMAAT writers and readers,

Typically when I travel, my service provider gives me 100MB, 100 texts, and 100 minutes of calling for $25 per country. Obviously 100MB isn’t that much and getting more data means paying an arm and a leg for even smaller increments of data. I’m curious what y’all do with your data when you are abroad and what you think is the most economic option. Is purchasing a SIM card generally cheaper? Should I hope for the best with public WiFi? Is my cell provider truly giving me the best option for data here?

Thanks in advance!

Sal
Anonymous Guest
November 9, 2015, 12:25 am

I have a few SIM cards that give me regional coverage (so one I can use in Europe, one for SE Asia, etc.). I use these in a portable WiFi device, and it’s a system that’s worked really well for me.

The big advantage for me is that I can connect multiple devices to one signal, which is perfect for laptops and such. If you just need a bit of data, there are likely easier/cheaper options.
Gaurav Community Ambassador
November 9, 2015, 1:54 am

Sal, personally I am grandfathered into an AT&T unlimited data plan and am loath to give it up so I just buy a local sim card when I travel. If I wasn’t keeping my data plan I’d look at T-Mobile or Google’s Project fi.

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Data plans when abroad?