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Nowadays remaining internet-connected while flying overseas is vital. Voyagers rely on cellular data to contact family and friends, access location services, build routes, post updates on social networking apps and work/studying. Choosing mobile pricing packages for traveling might be challenging — consumers hesitate in choosing GB plans for purchase. This article discusses circumstances tending to affect mobile data utilization while traveling and explores handy life hacks on GBs economy.
Related: “Tips for using your Phone Abroad in 2023“
Common Motives to Waste Data in Travel
Let’s imagine typical travelers’ mobile data utilization daily scenarios and calculate what GB amounts are essential for comfortable web-surfing.
- Navigating with Maps applications implies 60 MB of cellular per hour;
- Listening to tracks on music streaming services takes 72 MB as well;
- One hour of browsing web pages on Bing/Google/Safari requires 90 MB;
- Utilizing social networking apps wastes 90 MB;
- Making audio calls implies 180 MB for 1 hour, video/Skype calls — almost 2 GB as well;
- Watching hour-long television shows or series/films requires 700 MB.
In total, you’ll spend 3GB per day on travel. Remember mentioned data quantities are approximations and can vary depending on individuals’ needs.
How Much Data Do I Need to Surf Web Pages?
Making Skype calls / watching movies via cellphone signals may consume enormous data quantities. You should consider purchasing extended eSIM subscription systems intended to surf web pages while vacationing. Yet, basic functions like browsing Bing/Google/Safari web-pages, streaming musical tracks and navigating through maps applications won’t require more than a couple GBs per 1 week.
What Could You Accomplish with 1 MB of Cellular Data:
- Upload 2–3 pictures on Instagram;
- Share 5 text-only comments on Facebook;
- Post a single image on Facebook;
- Make 17 tweets;
- Participate in video chats for 2–3 seconds;
- Spend 1–2 minutes exploring Maps app on Google.
How Many Hours Does It Take to Use 1GB of Data?
Giving precise predictions is challenging since data usage depends on numerous aspects, including consumers’ daily activities, video/music streaming frequency and utilized networks’ types. Chatting on social media or surfing web pages for 1 hour might use between 100–500 MB, streaming high-quality video can waste up to 1 GB.
How Much do Users Need for Basic Purposes?
Let’s analyze what mobile data quantities you may want for various journey lengths. Suppose you access online resources while vacationing for certain purposes:
- Navigation services;
- Social media posting/chatting
- Browser searching;
- Music streaming.
Average individuals spend 3-4 hours daily surfing landing pages, so we’ll analyze what data quantities are needed for 3 hours of online resources consumption in a week-long trip. 45 minutes of searching on Bing/Google/Safari requires 67.5 MB, planning routes in online maps — 45 MB, posting on Facebook/Insta — 67.5 MB and streaming your favorite musicians’ tracks — 54 MB. In total, you will waste 230-240 MB for 1 week and 1.6-1.7 GB per month, following this mobile data utilization scenario.
Remember, employing roaming services can charge you with $10-15 for each MB, meaning you’ll have to pay this amount for 2–3 seconds of video calling with family/friends. So consider purchasing eSIM cards with prepaid data packages to avoid extreme spendings on vacation. Most carriers supply consumers with plans from 1 to 7 GB of mobile data.
3-5 average GB usage of data per week would be sufficient to fulfill basic internet users’ needs, while planning month-long holidays abroad will require packages with 7–9 GB.
Tips on How to Economise Spendings on Mobile Data in Travel
Stick to our greatest recommendations for ensuring you prevent wasting all your cellular wireless packages before the trip ends:
- Set data consumption caps to give signals if you exceed limits;
- Review your handsets’ system preferences to determine data amounts;
- Avoid streaming movies / initiating video conversations;
- Download desirable content via free public WiFi at your lodging or nearby cafés;
- Consider switching off cellular data functionality in cases you don’t need to use internet.
Leading mentioned basic guidelines might save you more data quantities that anyone can ever imagine.
Pro tip: Don’t forget that free accommodation/cafe Wi-Fi are not secured and don’t use encryption protocols. Your personal details like banking accounts info may be stolen. Better use cellular data instead of connecting to public wireless networks.
Why Use eSIM for Exploring Foreign Destinations?
Because of the requirement to physically sign several agreement documents and visit providers’ offices, purchasing standard SIM cards in unfamiliar regions can result in difficulties. Fortunately, the development of eSIM software makes it simpler for tourists and students to remain connected when visiting another country for employment or school.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to think about the quantity of mobile data each individual might need when selecting internet plans for vacationing. Consumers may get the most out of your wireless package and remain connected abroad without paying a fortune simply by being aware of numerous factors which influence GB amounts and heeding the advice given.
