Tablets make great travel companions. Lighter than a laptop but with a nice big screen, they're perfect for entertainment, keeping in touch with friends and family and booking your next hotel. But if you're looking for connectivity overseas there are some issues to be aware of, as well as tips and tricks. In this guide we'll cover it all.
In this GuideAre you taking your phone overseas as well? Check out our complete guide.
Taking your tablet overseas: Global roaming
If you have a tablet with a SIM card slot you may be able to use data overseas. But be aware that you will have to pay for global roaming and, while it's not as pricey as it used to be, it can be expensive. Depending on which carrier you're with and how long you intend to travel, you may be better off relying on Wi-Fi, getting a travel SIM or a local SIM card when you arrive.
If you do want to use global roaming, keep in mind that you may need to activate it on your service. Check with your carrier before you leave Australia to find out what you need to do.
Tablet global roaming with Telstra
Telstra allows postpaid mobile customers and mobile broadband customers to buy roaming travel passes to use their service overseas. For $10 per day you can get 200MB of roaming data, which expires daily at midnight. If you go over your daily 200MB, Telstra will automatically add another 500MB for $10 with a 31-day expiry. You won't eat into this allowance until you've exceeded your daily 200MB.
If you have a tablet on a Telstra prepaid plan, on the other hand, your service won't work overseas, which means no roaming charges. You'll have to rely on free public Wi-Fi or get a travel or local SIM card. Note, however, that your prepaid Telstra tablet will be locked to the Telstra network and you will have to pay Telstra and unlocking fee to use another SIM card in it.
Unlocking your Telstra prepaid tablet will cost:
- $80 if you've had it for less than 6 months
- $25 if you've had it for less than two years
- Free if you've had it for more than two years
Tablet global roaming with Optus
If you have a postpaid data SIM with Optus you can get yourself a data travel pack for use overseas. It'll cost you $10 per day, which you gets you 200MB for use in Zone 1 countries. One of the nice things about Optus travel packs is that you can stack your data allowance if you buy the pack for multiple days. That means if you buy five days' worth of packs you get 1GB to use over that five day period. Still, that puts you $50 out of pocket which is pretty expensive.
If you're on a prepaid data SIM plan, you can buy Optus travel credit. $45 will get you 90MB of roaming data or $85 will get you 170MB. Both packs come with a 30 day expiry and can only be used in selected countries.
Be aware that if you use your Optus data overseas without buying a travel pack, PAYG rates will apply and depending on your destination this could cost between $0.50 and $1 per MB.
Tablet global roaming with Vodafone
If you're on a postpaid data SIM with Vodafone, you have access to Vodafone's $5 roaming deal. That means you can use your plan's monthly data allowance overseas for an extra $5 per day for up to 90 days. The fee is only charged on days you use your inclusions and the deal is only available in certain countries.
If you're on a prepaid data plan with Vodafone, PAYG data rates apply. In most countries you will pay $1 per MB.
Tablet global roaming with other carriers
Of course, there are plenty of other carriers around who offer data SIMs for tablets, but none that offer special data roaming packages like the ones we've described above. The following data SIM providers charge PAYG rates for roaming:
PAYG rates with these providers are usually $0.50 per MB, depending on your destination. Check with your provider to be sure.
The following data SIM providers don't offer global roaming:
Switching off global roaming on your tablet
Just using Wi-Fi and want to avoid accidental global roaming charges? A fool-proof method is to take your SIM card out of your tablet before you go overseas. If that method doesn't appeal, here's how to switch off global roaming on your tablet.
On iPad:
- Open the Settings app and select Mobile Data
- Turn off Mobile Data
- Select Mobile Data Options
- Turn off Data Roaming
On Android tablets:
- Open the Settings app
- In the Wireless and Networks section select More
- Choose Mobile Networks
- Deselect Data Roaming
You should also consider turning off Location Services and any automatic updates and push notifications you’ve enabled for apps. While Location Services relies on GPS to pinpoint your location, and this is free to use, it also uses mobile data for increased accuracy.
On iPad:
- Open the Settings app and select Privacy
- Select Location Services and toggle the button to Off
- Now select Notifications
- Select each app and toggle the Allow notifications button to Off
On Android tablets:
- Open the Settings app and select Location
- Toggle the Location Services switch to Off
- Now select Sounds and Notifications
- Go to Application Notifications
- Depending on your device you can either toggle all All app notifications to Off or go through apps individually and toggle the notification switch to Off
Taking your tablet overseas: Travel and local SIM cards
If you want to use mobile data for your tablet while overseas but don't like the idea of global roaming charges, you can save some money by choosing a travel SIM card or local SIM card.
While travel SIM cards are primarily marketed for use in your mobile phone, you will find they're compatible with tablets as well. Data roaming rates from certain travel SIM companies aren't much better than what you'd get from your telco, but a Flexiroam travel SIM will offer decent value for use in your tablet.
An even cheaper option is to pick up a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination. While you may find it tricky to get a data-only SIM from the airport or a convenience store at your destination, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to use a mobile SIM in your tablet. Just get one with a decent data allowance.
Before you get a travel or local SIM you will need to check that your tablet can connect with your destination's local network frequencies and is unlocked. It should be unlocked if you bought it outright or on a postpaid plan. However, if you bought it on a prepaid plan it could be locked to the network you bought it from. If that's the case, you'll need to contact your carrier for information on how to unlock your tablet and you may have to pay an unlock fee.
Taking your tablet overseas: Access to Wi-Fi
If your tablet doesn't come with 4G connectivity or if you don't want to use it, you'll be relying on Wi-Fi for your internet access. You're probably aware that many hotels and hostels provide a Wi-Fi service for guests, but it's not always cheap and you may want to get a connection when you're out and about. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of Wi-Fi when you're overseas.
Download a Wi-Fi finding app
Free public Wi-Fi is everywhere, and there are numerous apps around that will tell you where it is and how to connect to it, even when you're offline. We recommend Avast Wi-Fi Finder because, as well as helping you locate Wi-Fi for your tablet, it will also let you know how fast, reliable and secure the connection is.
Use your mobile as a Wi-Fi hotspot
If you're planning to take your phone on your trip, you can set it up as a Wi-Fi hotspot and share connectivity with your tablet. Be aware that if you're planning to use your Australian SIM card you will likely attract global roaming fees which can be very expensive. But you can get yourself a travel SIM card or pick up a local SIM card at the airport when you arrive, which will save you loads. Be sure to get yourself enough data for whatever you plan to do on both your mobile and tablet when you choose a SIM.
Fon Wi-Fi
If you're a Telstra mobile or broadband customer you likely have free access to the Fon network of Wi-Fi hotspots, the overseas extension – through partnership – of Telstra Air. Fon operates over 19 million hotspots around the world, with most of these situated in Europe. Japan and South Korea are also well covered, and you'll still find some scattered across the United States. To access Fon Wi-Fi you'll need to activate Telstra Air before you leave Australia and have the Telstra Air app installed on your tablet.
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