|
More computer tips
Read/Post
comments about this article
This is written from a Norwegian point of view, but can be adapted to other
countries. Keep in mind we ALL have GSM cell phones, lots of extras and cheap
plans.
When travelling abroad, there's always the question of keeping in touch with
family at home. I've seen lots of different solutions, and I believe some can be
improved upon.
When you don't have a set itinerary, and the people at home don't know where
to reach you at any time
Updated April 2005: There are some
new solutions you can use, whenever possible. I'll sprinkle updates throughout
the list, where applicable
- The traditional solution is to call home. If so, use a calling card if
possible.
- The modern solution is to e-mail occasionally. Sort of electronic travel
cards.
- The cheapest solution for Norwegians is to keep a cell phone and send an
SMS home with the phone number of wherever you are staying. Calls to for
instance the US are much cheaper than calling home. Use a calling card for
those times you HAVE to call home immediately. Messages from home can be
sent by SMS as well. Sending SMS's abroad is more expensive, but sending SMS
to a Norwegian GSM phone abroad is just like sending it to someone in
Norway, as long as the roaming network has agreed to exchange SMS between
the networks. MMS support is more spotty. Works on some networks and not on
others. New If the folks at
home have an IP phone, calls to for instance the US are free from networks
(check your price list), so calls might be even cheaper!
- New The newest cheapest
way, is if you've got access to (non wireless) broadband, and take an IP
phone unit, such as the Sipura, and a small phone from home. Free calls
home, no matter where you are. And free calls TO many countries as well (for
us who use Telio in Norway, at least).
- The high tech solution: Use e-mail via wap over GPRS. When enabled and
working on the roaming network, this is quite often no more expensive than
using it at home. Check my other tip page for specifics.
- New Take your laptop and
use Skype wherever you have access to fast internet lines.
For staying somewhere else long time:
- Regular phone
- Computer and e-mail
- Local cell phone plan (investigate if your cell phone is sim locked, if
you can get a pay as you go card locally, and if GSM is available locally.
Also check what frequencies they're using. Local cell phones often have
better coverage).
- Broadband internet and internet phone. You can even bring your Norwegian
phone number! Good solution for snowbirds who are in warmer countries during
the winter, if the internet service isn't too expensive etc.
When there's no cell phone coverage:
There are places where there's no cell phone coverage. Say certain parts in
Canada, Australia and Africa. Say you're living there for extended periods of
time. Phone calls are expensive. No cell phone. If you have internet access, and
your parents don't have a computer.... There's a way! With a Norwegian cell
phone card (a pay as you go = kontantkort will be enough!), you can use say
Telenor's website to send SMS messages to the parents. Failing that, get an
account with Gule sider and send messages to GSM phones that way. For those in
the US, phones often have an e-mail address you can send to, if that's been
enabled. Check what's possible in the target country - the country you're
sending messages TO.
Hope this is of help to someone!
|
|