Roaming charges are expensive as your mobile provider hires infrastructure from a provider in the US to maintain your service while there. You can cut down on these charges while remaining connected by using several options in the market, as explained in the article below.
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Subscribe to an eSIM Service
An eSIM is an embedded SIM. It is built into your device during the manufacture of the device. It identifies and connects you to the carrier network you subscribe to without requiring you to buy a physical SIM card. All you do is buy an eSIM package for the United States provider and connect to the carrier when you arrive in the country.
eSIM services like esims.io allow you to purchase a US cellular package from anywhere in the world. You do not encounter any roaming fees because the service is prepaid. Besides, if there are sites that would need two-factor authentication using your regular SIM, you can always have it with you as you use the eSIM. Just ensure that your device is eSIM-compatible and has not been locked by your carrier.
Buy a SIM in the USA
If you do not mind giving up your regular phone number for the period that you will be in a foreign country and know how to change the SIM on your device, you may consider buying a SIM in the USA. Several providers in the USA have options for temporary SIMs and easy onboarding for visitors. Just pick a call and data plan that best suit your calling and data access habits.
Just make sure that your phone has not been locked to your carrier. Besides, ensure that you keep your regular SIM in a safe location so that you can use it when you are back. You may get a good deal from the destination provider. However, you will lose access to your regular phone number or the ability to complete two-factor authentication based on your local number. This is only possible for dual-SIM phones, as you do not have to remove the original SIM card.
Take Advantage of the Wi-Fi Offers in the USA
You can avoid high data roaming charges by connecting to a Wi-Fi network at the destination. Most accommodation centres and conference facilities provide their visitors with Wi-Fi connections. With this service, you can browse the internet, make audio and video calls, and use any app that requires data to work. Unfortunately, you will be in an internet blackout once you step out of the free Wi-Fi zone. Besides, you may need a VPN to safeguard your data.
Alternatively, you can look for portable data routers at the destination and connect them to your device. You will be traveling with the two devices around the country for the period you will be there. The only downside to the option is that it is cumbersome and you have to keep charging the portable router.
Disable Roaming
You can also disable data roaming on your phone when you arrive in the USA. This setting prevents your device from using cellular data when in a foreign country. You can only surf the web using a Wi-Fi connection. However, you can receive messages and make calls from your home country.
This option is ideal for people who wish to unplug from the digital world when they come to the USA. Unfortunately, if you need to keep up with your social media platforms or connect with friends and family on the internet, this option will not work for you.
Since roaming charges are quite high, you should consider ways to bring them down or eliminate them altogether when you visit the USA. The use of eSIMs remains the cheapest option, although there are several others depending on your usage and the device you have.
