Contact your service provider before travelling to make sure that the roaming feature is enabled on your phone. Check the rates inside the EU using the thorough summary of service providers and their charges on the European Commission website. Review the text messages you receive on arrival in a new country. These will include rates and conditions. Follow the instructions in the most suitable message to connect to the provider. Be aware that checking your voicemail while abroad will be charged at the same rate as an international call. If your phone is prepay, take extra vouchers or make sure you can top up your credit while abroad with a credit card.
Replace your home SIM card with a local prepay card for the duration of your travels in non-EU countries with high roaming charges. This means that your telephone number will change. But most modern mobiles keep your contact list stored within the phone, so you will still have access to your numbers. Check with your provider before departure to make sure your phone is not locked against use with another SIM card.
Check the technology standard of the countries you intend to visit. British and European phones all work using the GSM technology standard, meaning that your mobile will work in any European country. In the US some service providers use the CDMA standard, which is incompatible with British GSM phones, limiting your choice of provider. Furthermore, you will need a tri-band phone for the US, Canada and South America and a quad-band phone for some Caribbean countries that use different mobile frequencies to Europe. UK mobiles do not work in Japan and South Korea because they use CDMA technology. Most airports in these two countries have mobile rental shops in the arrivals lounges.
Pack a universal adaptor, or at least an adaptor approved for your destination. Many countries use different plug sockets from those used in the UK, and acquiring an adaptor compatible with a British plug may be impossible once you have arrived. There are plenty of different brands of universal adaptor on the market and they are available to buy in most airport shops.
Consider specialized mobile phone insurance that covers not only theft or loss but also the cost of unauthorized calls, especially if you have a modern 3G phone attractive to thieves. Make a note of the IMEI or serial number on your phone and store it in an email so that you can get your handset blocked in case of theft.
