As an entrepreneur, staying in touch and on top of all things is very important, even when you are traveling abroad. Since most people are unaware of the right etiquette to mobile phone usage overseas and don’t inquire with their service providers regarding the availability of international roaming or its cost, your business partners or clients either find your phone being inaccessible during your entire stay or you end up paying exorbitant amounts, guaranteed to burn a hole in your pocket. So, here are some of the ways in which you can reduce the costs while ensuring that you are on top of things even when you are overseas:
Texting is Cheaper: Using text messaging instead of calling is a good alternative to ensure lower roaming charges on your cell. Additionally, the fact that most operators do not charge anything for receiving text, even when overseas, makes it a really lucrative option.
Using WiFi to make Video Calls: Most smart phones have the facility of using Skype to make calls, which if made to another Skype user can be free of charge, barring only the data transfer charge that would be applicable. If you do not want to pay such data usage charges, which incidentally are really exorbitant, then you should connect through any WiFi hotspot as this would make your calls completely free. Additionally, there are several apps available for such phones which allow you to make video calls for free, provided that you are using WiFi and not data transfer on your mobile, especially when abroad.
Twitter Apps: Twitter is an extremely important part of any entrepreneur's life and if you are abroad, chances are that your posts or responses are not as prompt, given the data usage charges. However, with the latest app from twitter, which incidentally is still in the experimental stage, you need not worry about any such cost but can actually tweet for free, even when abroad. This app is based on the Call 2 service and USSD mobile technologies and therefore no charge is made to your cell for tweeting.
Post Simultaneously on Facebook and Twitter: Another way to ensure that you cut your mobile usage costs abroad is to use the app that allows you to post on Twitter as well as Facebook simultaneously. Not only does this allow you to update your status on both social media networks but it does the same at the cost of a single access. Blackberry users can use SocialScope for updating both Facebook and Twitter updates simultaneously while iPhone users have the choice of downloading the slightly expensive Tweetion. Additionally, both can use other apps like TweetDeck, Tweet3 etc for simultaneous posting.
Wireless Cards and Calling Cards: You could also try looking into calling cards as an option to make calls. These are prepaid cards which are available easily at any place and charge local rates per call to the destination preferred. The best part is that no charge is made to your phone service provider for using such cards. Similarly, internet browsing can be done through the use of wireless cards, which are again available locally to enable local networks for internet connectivity.
While the above are some of the options available for mobile phone users, it is important to check out various options well in advance and choose the best one that will not only help you keep in touch with everyone but will also ease the burden on your pocket.
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