Only WiFi experts know these five secrets to controlling overseas data usage!

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots compiled report

It’s a common social phenomenon in Taiwan for people to love being online and heavily rely on smartphones. Preparing internet access before traveling has become an essential task for many. However, most people have misconceptions or myths about what to pay attention to when using the internet abroad, leading to many inconveniences and unpleasant experiences during the trip, and even shock upon seeing the bill upon returning home. This article shares five eye-opening secrets from WiFi experts that travelers who need internet abroad must read!

1. Evaluate your own needs and choose a reasonable internet method

Before traveling abroad, carefully consider whether you really need internet access. For this trip, does the destination country and your travel purpose require or want internet? For example, if you want to experience a trip without phone distractions, then you don’t need internet.

If you confirm that you want to use the internet, then here are several key points to evaluate:

      1. Will you be using it alone or with multiple people?

      2. Based on your usage needs, estimate how much data you might need—do you need unlimited data?Actions like taking photos to upload and check in, receiving Line messages, watching videos, etc., can all affect how much data you use.
  
      3. Your spending budget. 

        Based on the above needs, comprehensively evaluate whether to use a SIM card, a WiFi device, or your telecom provider’s international roaming.

SIM cards require the hassle of swapping cards, and you especially need to ensure the card size is compatible with your phone’s built-in specifications. It’s also important to keep your original SIM card. Additionally, you must pay attention to the signal reception quality at your destination—the frequency bands must be compatible with your phone. Since the quality of network base stations varies by travel destination, their signal distribution and priority levels all impact internet quality, and stability can be easily affected by local conditions.

International roaming from your telecom provider is convenient to set up, but it’s relatively more expensive. Buying a fixed data allowance means your speed will be throttled once you exceed it. If you opt for a pay-as-you-go plan with a set limit, you’re less likely to incur extra charges, but you’ll need to use it very sparingly.

 
WiFi devices have the advantage of being shareable among multiple people, and costs can be split among users. The WiFi device itself acts like an antenna to receive hotspots, making it the most convenient with fewer restrictions. Just make sure it stays powered and well-ventilated—don’t let it overheat. Otherwise, no matter how stable the internet is, if the WiFi device runs out of power, it won’t work.
 
Of course, operating a WiFi device also requires proper care. Never let it drain completely before charging, as this can cause significant damage to the device and may even result in it becoming unchargeable—essentially bricked. Also, be careful not to drop it or get it wet.

2.Beware of automatic cloud uploads and updates eating up your data

 
Many Taiwanese are used to convenient internet environments and even unlimited data plans. They not only can’t imagine traveling without internet but also mistakenly believe they can easily enjoy the same level of service abroad as they do in Taiwan. As a result, they continue using their phones the same way they do at home, leading to data overages or running out too quickly.
 
Many phones are set to automatically back up and upload to the cloud—for example, scheduled daily updates. If these settings aren’t adjusted before traveling, the phone may automatically upload photos and other files to the cloud at set times, consuming a lot of data and even affecting the internet speed for others when sharing. Be especially mindful of automatic cloud uploads and backups.