How to Take Your Electronic Devices
Overseas
by Volker Poelzl
Resources updated 1/25/2020 by Transitions Abroad
Readers often send us questions about
the electronic devices they plan to take overseas. In this
article, we summarize the most critical issues travelers
and expatriates should be aware of when taking their smartphones,
laptop computers, or other electronic devices overseas.
Among the primary issues concerns compatibility with local
electrical standards, high-speed internet access, and whether
smartphone and data transfer frequencies vary from country
to country. The good news is the ever-increasing global
compatibility of these devices with each generation of products
and wireless networks
Laptop Computers
For detailed advice on taking and using
your laptop overseas, check out my article: Taking
your Laptop Computer Overseas—Practical Tips for Staying
Connected Abroad.
Cell phones and Smartphones
The first item on most people’s
list of what to take overseas is their cell phone, now most
often packaged with sophisticated smartphone capabilities.
If you plan on bringing your phone with you, make sure it
is the now widely adopted GSM mobile
phone with multi-band capabilities. GSM has become the de
facto global standard for mobile communications, with over
50% market share, and operates worldwide. If you have a
GSM phone, you can generally use your provider’s international
roaming service, or even better switch out the SIM card
and sign up with a cheaper
local phone service provider at your destination or
new home abroad.
Some cell phones are locked by the service
provider to assure that they can only be used on their own
network, so make sure that your phone is unlocked before
you go. Several companies sell kits to unlock your phone,
so you can use your device with other providers. You can
also purchase an unlocked cell phone in your home country,
but some can cost quite a bit more than locked mobile phones
bundled with a service plan. If you own an unlocked GSM
cell phone, you shouldn’t have any problems taking
it overseas and using it with a local provider, but again,
be aware of the costs.
If your phone doesn’t work when
you arrive at a destination, you have several options when
purchasing a cell phone overseas: You can get a cheap
pre-paid mobile phone. Unfortunately, this option
does not usually include data transfer services for email
and web access. These pre-paid phones are limited to phone
calls and text messaging. The advantage is that you do not
need a permanent address, which is excellent for shorter-term
stays abroad, or if you travel around a lot. Another option
is to buy a mobile phone or smartphone overseas and then
sign up with a local service provider for phone calls, email,
and internet access.
If you plan on traveling to several
countries for a short time, you might be better off bringing
your phone from home and signing up for an international
roaming plan with your provider at home. Regardless of your
cell phone service provider at home, international
roaming plans for phone calls and data are usually quite
expensive once you leave your provider’s area of coverage.
Most major cell phone service providers have roaming agreements
with overseas companies and offer reception in large regions.
Still, you should research the details before your trip
to ensure that you will have a signal when needed to avoid
disappointment.
If you stay overseas for a longer period,
you may have the advantage of being able to sign up with
a local wireless network, which is much more cost-effective
than paying for roaming charges with your cell phone or
wireless plan at home. Doing so requires some shopping around,
but will save you a lot of money in the end.
Power Compatibility and Other Issues
If you are bringing your cell phone
with you, make sure that the power adapter will work with
the voltage at your destination. You may need a plug adapter
to fit the local power outlet. Make sure that you have easy
access to replacement parts, such as batteries and power
adapters, either by researching if they are available locally
or by arranging for an easy way to have them shipped to
you. It can be very inconvenient to have a dead cell phone
battery and not be able to find a quick replacement. The
same is true for other electronic devices that use rechargeable
batteries (often lithium) that only work with your particular
model, such as mp3 players, DVD players, and digital video
cameras. When the rechargeable battery on my digital camera
burned out in Guatemala, I was fortunate to be in the country’s
second-largest city at the time. It still took me an entire
afternoon involving visits to over a dozen electronic stores
before I finally found a shop that could place a rush order
to have the battery shipped from the capital. Another concern
is power surges, which can be common in developing countries.
To ensure that your power adapter or charger is not damaged
during a power surge, you might want to consider taking
along an inexpensive and light portable
surge protector.
The good news is that options for web
access via cellphones, tablets, and laptops is become more
common by the day, and in some countries connection
speeds and WiFi hot-spots surpass those in your home
country. As with all practical aspects of travel, preparation
and research is the key.
Note: As of June 2017, there are
airports where the transport of devices in the cabin
are not permitted, laptops
in particular. Please check the current regulations
before you book, as many may not wish to leave expensive
equipment in the cargo. I sure would not wish to do so.
Volker
Poelzl is a Living Abroad Contributing
Editor for TransitionsAbroad.com. He has traveled
in over 40 countries worldwide and has lived in
ten of them for study, research and work.
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