If you plan on taking your mobile phone with you overseas, now’s the time to protect yourself against an unexpected high usage bill on your return.
It’s commonly called “Bill Shock”, but if you’re armed with the right information, a massive phone bill is easily avoided.
First things first, check with your mobile provider on exactly how much a mobile call will cost to make and receive while overseas.
The same goes for data charges, but in most cases it’s simply better to switch off the data roaming feature of your smartphone and simply using Wi-Fi for internet connectivity where available during your trip.
Telstra has introduced an SMS alert system designed to minimise bill shock by keeping customers informed of how much data they are using whilst travelling overseas.
The new SMS alerts would be sent for every 20 megabytes (MB) of data used overseas.
Telstra tips for travelling overseas with your mobile device:
- Make sure International Roaming is activated. If you’ve never used International Roaming on your Post-Paid mobile or mobile broadband, then you’ll need to have it activated, which can take up to three days.
- Manage automatic notifications and software updates. If data roaming is switched on while you’re roaming overseas you can manage your costs by switching automatic notifications and automatic software updates ON and OFF as required.
- Download maps before you go or when using a free Wi-Fi hotspot. Do your research before you leave home by saving maps and directions to your device, or download them when you’re accessing the internet using a free Wi-Fi connection.
- Check current rates. It’s important to check the current rates that apply to voice or video calls, SMS, MMS and MessageBank retrieval in the countries you’ll be visiting. Remember that any allowances you get as part of your mobile plan can only be used in Australia.
- Advise family and friends of the best way to contact you. Remember that charges apply to both calls made and received overseas. SMS is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends while overseas. It will only cost you 75 cents to send an SMS from any country.
