Beat the Island of Cellular Loneliness
Everyone's lives seem to be dedicated to their cellular devices now, and everyone has experienced the panic of not knowing where you left your beloved phone! Now imagine stepping foot on your exciting vacation or study abroad program and not being able to use it... at all. No access to Snapchat, no Instagram, no Facebook, not even emails, texts or calls from friends and family. You are now on an island of cellular loneliness.
But to not succumb to the island of cellular loneliness, you'll need to prepare in advance. Even if countries, such as England, one needs to have a phone plan! It doesn't matter if your in a first or third world country, you need a plan. The great thing is, you have a choice!
Choice A: You can keep your phone and just pay extra fees. Note: it will be a lot of extra fees if you plan to stay for an extended amount of time such as Study Abroad. This plan does have the benefit of not having to get sim cards, or learning different networks other than your own, but the fees can be a real drag-me-down.
Choice B: Sim cards. By purchasing a sim card one beats those overwhelming costs of being abroad. However, you will have to find a new network (so not at&t not verizon not sprint and so on). Ones in England include Vodaphone, and O'3 for example are good networks to take a look into. These companies allow you to buy a sim card with a certain amount of gb's. There are some facts you must know though before purchasing your sim card!
First: Do not buy a plan that is under 20! Anything under this will be drained instantly, especially if you use any form of social media.
Second: If you plan on traveling throughout different countries in Europe, you'll need the one that works all over Europe. There are UK specific ones and then there are European ones.
Third: In order to put a new sim card in your phone, you must be able to unlock your phone. This means you must contact your carrier before you leave! Sometimes you can get the new sim card back in the States before you go, but if you can't and do not notify your phone carrier that you will be inserting a new sim card, your phone will NOT be unlocked abroad and you will NOT be able to use the new sim card. You will then have to wait 48 hours after going through multiple steps to unlock your phone and talking with your carrier back in the states, before you can use that new sim card!
Choice C: Whole new phone and plan. You do have the option in some countries to purchase a new phone and new plan. This involves a new network, a new number, and so on.
I hope this helps all who are planning on traveling and are worried about their phones! Just remember that by following all these tips you will not be on the island of cellular loneliness.