Cell Phones Overseas

[audreyh1]

Unless you are using your phone full time, streaming all day long, etc., it's extremely hard to use anything close to 50gb.

We have FI full time and at home with the 2 of us - normal casual use, maps, checking email, texting - it's hard to go over 1 gb per month. Sure, when traveling, we'd use more maps and have less time on wifi, but when I'm away I'm not trying to watch movies that much, and not on my phone/tablet.

That’s what explanade apparently does - lots of video streaming while traveling. I suspect the rest of us rarely do nearly as much. Practically speaking DH and I made it for many years under 2G per month each, and now we each have 5G high speed available overseas and unlimited in US. Either of us rarely exceeds 5G in the US and when traveling we pretty much use our cellphones as hotspots.

 

[OldShooter]

At $10/gig, whether we are at home or traveling, our data charges are rarely over a few dollars. On the road, we just use hotel WiFi and use CoPilot GPS for navigation (all maps are on the phone, so no data connection needed). So Google Fi's basic rates work well for us.

 

[sengsational]

In my research of Fi, it clearly says you can't use it for more than 90 days outside of the US, which is fine for my needs.

A question about turning on my hotspot while using a Google Fi cell connection overseas: is it limited somehow? One time I bought a SIM at the baggage claim and later learned it specifically prohibited sharing data via hotspot via software. There were software countermeasures, but I wasn't prepared to deploy one of those, so threw away that SIM and got another one. I don't think Google Fi would pull this shenanigans because what do they care if you're paying by the GB.

I'm a little worried about not having reliable data (ref: anecdote about problems in central/south America visiting a new location). I'm hoping I can report that this wasn't a problem on my trip.

 

[Ian S]

We're going to Rome and London next month. We have T-Mobile so will probably go with their 30 day 15GB high speed data pass that includes free calling as well. For the time we'll be gone, it works out to less then $3 per day.

 

[Sunset]

In my research of Fi, it clearly says you can't use it for more than 90 days outside of the US, which is fine for my needs.

A question about turning on my hotspot while using a Google Fi cell connection overseas: is it limited somehow? One time I bought a SIM at the baggage claim and later learned it specifically prohibited sharing data via hotspot via software. There were software countermeasures, but I wasn't prepared to deploy one of those, so threw away that SIM and got another one. I don't think Google Fi would pull this shenanigans because what do they care if you're paying by the GB.

I'm a little worried about not having reliable data (ref: anecdote about problems in central/south America visiting a new location). I'm hoping I can report that this wasn't a problem on my trip.

My experience in Canada is google Fi limits the Simply Unlimited plan to 5GB of hotspot sharing then stops. 50 GB of data for the user and then supposed to slow down.
The Unlimited Plus has unlimited data for hot spot and regular data.

Their chart is less clear for international, is hot spot even considered ?

Knowing my DW, I wouldn't pay Google Fi by the GB as in 3 weeks she can use up 5GB of hotspot data

 

[tulak]

Depending on the plan, you’ll get throttled in the US if the you have large data usage. 50G is generous and you can always supplement with wifi while traveling.

I pay $40/month for T-Mobile and it’s worth the convenience of not having to deal with SIM cards. I get other extras with T-Mobile that makes it easy too.

One year when I was traveling a lot, I was flagged by T-Mobile for excessive international roaming usage. The longest trip was about 6 weeks. I called them and it ended up being a non-issue. I traveled more last year and didn’t hear anything. But I’d expect to hear from them if you’re outside of the US for a long time. This costs them money and they will flag what they consider unreasonable usage.

 

[Golden Mean]

To add the Google-Fi discussion; the plan that's $10 per GB is prorated, so if you use 1.3GB, you pay $13, not $20 for data usage (plus the base $20 price). Way cool. I just switched to them before a trip to Europe and love the service and cost so far.

 

[explanade]

Unless you are using your phone full time, streaming all day long, etc., it's extremely hard to use anything close to 50gb.

We have FI full time and at home with the 2 of us - normal casual use, maps, checking email, texting - it's hard to go over 1 gb per month. Sure, when traveling, we'd use more maps and have less time on wifi, but when I'm away I'm not trying to watch movies that much, and not on my phone/tablet.

That’s what explanade apparently does - lots of video streaming while traveling. I suspect the rest of us rarely do nearly as much. Practically speaking DH and I made it for many years under 2G per month each, and now we each have 5G high speed available overseas and unlimited in US. Either of us rarely exceeds 5G in the US and when traveling we pretty much use our cellphones as hotspots.

I don't use a lot of data on every trip, only where they sell data cheaply.

I have iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro. I just let it update all the apps, all the podcasts, on a daily basis.

You can use 50 GB over a couple of week very easily doing that.

I do stream a bit, able to watch TV from back in the US, so great for some sporting events.

But I will also download recordings of shows and watch them on flights and long train rides.


I remember one time, I was in Sicily and the finale of one of the seasons of Game of Thrones aired that week.

I didn't want to wait until I returned home to watch so I downloaded it.


But podcasts surprisingly are a lot of data and I listen to them all day, makes it easier to do a lot of walking around for hours.

 

[audreyh1]

You are the only one I know of that uses anywhere near that much data traveling overseas. It’s a non-issue for most folks.

 

[braumeister]

It’s a non-issue for most folks.

IDK but that might be true. I think the most I've ever used was less than 2 GB on a European trip, and that included some hotspot time. Still, I agree that podcasts can be data intensive.

 

[audreyh1]

IDK but that might be true. I think the most I've ever used was less than 2 GB on a European trip, and that included some hotspot time. Still, I agree that podcasts can be data intensive.

Yes, I’ve experienced how much data podcasts can use, and seems ridiculous. I used to download them ahead of time.

 

[explanade]

You are the only one I know of that uses anywhere near that much data traveling overseas. It’s a non-issue for most folks.

Probably true.

But also may be the case that people are content to use Wifi or aren't aware of that mobile data in the amounts they use back home can be relatively affordable in other countries.

I know that sometimes around dinner time and early in the morning, some hotel Wifi networks ground to a halt because every guest is using heavily around that time.

If you check online usage, that's the usual pattern, before and after dinner, in the mornings from the time people wake up through breakfast.

So many people are keeping their normal daily routine as for as online usage. Especially as they tend to be away from the hotel from after breakfast to dinner time or after dinner.

My last trip was Australia in November. Australia used to have really expensive data. My recollection was spending like $80 USD for a previous trip to get like 5 or 10 GB at most.

But that market got competitive all of a sudden and I think I got like 30 GB for like 15 or 20 AUD, which is like $11 or $14.


Now you see on sites like GetYourGuide or Klook are mobile data packages, which they will deliver to you at the airports. So there's greater demand for higher amounts of data for tourists to use and carriers are competing to put out more attractive packages.

The whole eSIM market is taking off as well, though their prices aren't that competitive yet.

 

[explanade]

Yes, I’ve experienced how much data podcasts can use, and seems ridiculous. I used to download them ahead of time.

Because they load it up with more and more commercials.

In fact, the same podcasts I listen to at home, when I download overseas, I get local commercials inserted, in different languages as well, even though it's only English-language podcasts that I'm downloading.

 

[Kork13]

Question for the crowd --- what's the best way to handle cell phone service while actually living overseas when you'll still frequently call/text/travel back to the US?

Background: I'm in the military, moving to Japan this summer for 2-4 years .... but my family will be staying stateside for an extra year & I'm going to be traveling back to the US somewhat regularly. DW & I would prefer to keep our US numbers if feasible, for simplicity... We're also currently sharing a Verizon phone plan with my brothers -- they're open to switching with us for the cost savings, but it's not essential.

I'm trying to decide between GoogleFi, T-Mobile, or a local Japanese provider. I know that Fi will grant a military exception to their terms limitation on long-term use overseas. I'm not sure if T-Mobile is similarly accommodating -- I've been told both ways. My thoughts: T-Mobile would be cheapest, Fi probably the best fit, and a local service the simplest (though likely least flexible). Appreciate any advice or better ideas...

 

[PaunchyPirate]

Ok, you T-Mobilers have made me have a change of heart. I had planned on just buying a short-term plan from a European carrier for my 2 (maybe a 3rd in the works) this year. But I decided to look at the fine details at T-Mobile and decided it was worth a try. I transferred from Verizon Pre-Paid to an Unlimited 55+ Magenta plan this afternoon. My monthly bill will go up from $38 to $65, but I get more data, flexibility for Europe, Netflix and AppleTV. It also comes with AAA and I’ll explore switching that when my current year expires in June.

I’m leave for a Mediterranean cruise in less than a month, so I’ll test it in Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. I didn’t look them all up to see if they appear in the 210 supported countries, but I’m sure most do, if not all.

 

[explanade]

Question for the crowd --- what's the best way to handle cell phone service while actually living overseas when you'll still frequently call/text/travel back to the US?

Background: I'm in the military, moving to Japan this summer for 2-4 years .... but my family will be staying stateside for an extra year & I'm going to be traveling back to the US somewhat regularly. DW & I would prefer to keep our US numbers if feasible, for simplicity... We're also currently sharing a Verizon phone plan with my brothers -- they're open to switching with us for the cost savings, but it's not essential.

I'm trying to decide between GoogleFi, T-Mobile, or a local Japanese provider. I know that Fi will grant a military exception to their terms limitation on long-term use overseas. I'm not sure if T-Mobile is similarly accommodating -- I've been told both ways. My thoughts: T-Mobile would be cheapest, Fi probably the best fit, and a local service the simplest (though likely least flexible). Appreciate any advice or better ideas...

You can maintain your US phone number but it would be best to use anything but voice to communicate internationally.

But I know some countries, they offer plans with voice minutes for several countries. I don't know for the Japanese market though but maybe some of their plans let you call US numbers all the time.

T-Mobile, they give you free SMS internationally but if you call, it's 25 cents a minute. You can do better with VOIP plans like Skype and Fiber on a per minute basis.

But you can use things like iChat, FaceTime, WHatsApp and all you need is to get a lot of data or if you're using Wifi networks, you don't need any mobile data.


However for voice calls, your choices are to pay international calling rates through US carriers or maybe a Japanese carrier offers plans with calls to the US, though it may still cost someone in the US to call your Japanese number.

 

[marko]

Question for the crowd --- what's the best way to handle cell phone service while actually living overseas when you'll still frequently call/text/travel back to the US?

Background: I'm in the military, moving to Japan this summer for 2-4 years .... but my family will be staying stateside for an extra year & I'm going to be traveling back to the US somewhat regularly. DW & I would prefer to keep our US numbers if feasible, for simplicity... We're also currently sharing a Verizon phone plan with my brothers -- they're open to switching with us for the cost savings, but it's not essential.

I'm trying to decide between GoogleFi, T-Mobile, or a local Japanese provider. I know that Fi will grant a military exception to their terms limitation on long-term use overseas. I'm not sure if T-Mobile is similarly accommodating -- I've been told both ways. My thoughts: T-Mobile would be cheapest, Fi probably the best fit, and a local service the simplest (though likely least flexible). Appreciate any advice or better ideas...

Do some checking. Haven't lived Japan for a while, but their cellphone system operates on a different frequency than the rest of the world. Your US/European phone probably won't work.

You will likely need a Japanese phone but may be able to retain your number if you go through a US based company.

I used Vonage for a VOIP landline with a US number so family could call a local number and have it ring in Japan at no cost.

 

[marko]

This is an interesting thread but I don’t know, it must just be me:

After spending $5,000 or $10,000 or $15,000 on an overseas trip, the last thing I'm thinking about is how to save $10 a day on cell service. For me, it's just not worth the gyrations.

I'm not trying to be provocative, and YMMV...good for you if this is important to you! A bit of BTD while traveling is just how I approach it. With a cup of Cappuccino going for 11 euros, the cost of my cell coverage kind of fades into the noise level.

 

[Music Lover]

This is an interesting thread but I don’t know, it must just be me:

After spending $5,000 or $10,000 or $15,000 on an overseas trip, the last thing I'm thinking about is how to save $10 a day on cell service. For me, it's just not worth the gyrations.

I'm not trying to be provocative, and YMMV...good for you if this is important to you! A bit of BTD while traveling is just how I approach it. With a cup of Cappuccino going for 11 euros, the cost of my cell coverage kind of fades into the noise level.

It's not a lot of gyrations. Buy a local SIM card and an appropriate plan. We paid less than $20 for 30 days in Mexico. It took 10 minutes to buy and swap out SIM cards.

$10 a day is $300. I don't mind spending money if I see the value. But I don't see any value in paying $10 a day if I can save that with 10 minutes of effort.

 

[sengsational]

I'm primarily looking for a solution that works for travel that doesn't require too much fiddling at the destination. And one that doesn't require paying extra all year for something I use for some number of weeks. My gyrations, if you call them that, involve not being surprised by something they're not telling you, but discover when you're trying to do some travel logistics, which, by the way, is the primary use case for me. I'm not using data for videos or listening to podcasts...I bring those on thumb drives or in the phone's memory, and mostly don't watch/listen to them. But nice to have if you're in quarantine with nothing better to do (sounds like the voice of experience, yes?)

As to spending and value, I'm right there. A dollar doesn't become less than a dollar because you've BTD on a big trip. If said big trip would be spoiled by trying to save a dollar, sure, but going for a solution that works and is 1/10th the cost? I'm in!

 

[FIYes]

I have to admit that when it comes to cellular service I’m not frugal…I’m downright cheap. I have a very inexpensive prepaid cell phone plan, Tracfone, for my regular service. In fact, during the pandemic when I was home all the time, I played their rewards game to the extent that DH has free service for three more years and I have free service for two more years. Last year, for our one international trip, I used Vegolink for me and OneSim for DH. These were data only prepaid sims used with WhatsApp. If we traveled more internationally I would look at options with greater coverage. I really only used the data last year for directions when we were out and about. For calling, I use WiFi calling from the hotel. Navigation and the ability to get in touch with DH when he wanders off are my only cellular needs when traveling overseas.

 

[jollystomper]

I like Verizon because there is no fiddling at the destination. Move phone out of airplane mode, you connect to the local cell towers,no issues. You know then when the 24 hour daily charge counter starts. Do not want to be charged for a day, put the phone back in airplane mode. Easy peasy for us.

We focus on the trip activities. Anything we are watching/podcasting when in the U.S. can wait until we return. We are able to navigate and keep in touch almost always over wireless, and even when not, we exceeded our 2GB/month limit once and were charged something minimal.

I am more frugal on these trips with airport transportation than with phone. It is still cheaper for us to drive and park for 7-10 days at the airport than take a taxi/Uber/Lyft. I will save my trip money on that .

 

[audreyh1]

I like Verizon because there is no fiddling at the destination. Move phone out of airplane mode, you connect to the local cell towers,no issues. You know then when the 24 hour daily charge counter starts. Do not want to be charged for a day, put the phone back in airplane mode. Easy peasy for us.

I like T-Mobile because there is no fiddling at any destination. Take it out of airplane mode and leave it there the whole trip. It welcomes you to each country letting you know you are covered. No extra daily charges. Charge by phone call which we basically have none as we use FaceTime and WiFi calling. All other international features included no charge including data and texting. At most we might see 0.25 or 0.50 after a month abroad.

 

[marko]

It's not a lot of gyrations. Buy a local SIM card and an appropriate plan. We paid less than $20 for 30 days in Mexico. It took 10 minutes to buy and swap out SIM cards.

$10 a day is $300. I don't mind spending money if I see the value. But I don't see any value in paying $10 a day if I can save that with 10 minutes of effort.

I guess if it weren't for the frugals using FI, WIFI and SIM cards, the phone companies would have no competition and would be charging me $50 a day instead of $10.

So, I guess I'm thankful for the effort!!

 

[Chuckanut]

I like T-Mobile because there is no fiddling at any destination. Take it out of airplane mode and leave it there the whole trip. It welcomes you to each country letting you know you are covered. No extra daily charges. Charge by phone call which we basically have none as we use FaceTime and WiFi calling. All other international features included no charge including data and texting. At most we might see 0.25 or 0.50 after a month abroad.

I am curious. Which T-mobile plan do you have?

I have the original $60 for two lines plan. Since Covid I have not used it abroad. IIRC, I had unlimited texting and data though at reduced speeds.