International cell phone plans are designed for travelers. Whether you’re headed to a different country for business or jet-setting to a vacation destination, you’ll need the ability to use the Internet and call friends and family. With these international cell phone plans, you can stay in touch with the people you care about most. Read on to find the right fit.
How Do International Cell Phone Plans Work?
There are three types of international plans you can choose from. Bolt-on packs add international calls to your current plan. Pay-as-you-go charges you as you make international calls and texts. International day passes let you use a set amount of data daily.
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Most Travel-Friendly: T-Mobile
T-Mobile makes it easy to travel. You could literally hop off the plane anywhere and start using your phone. The company offers unlimited data and texts in 210+ countries. With access to T-Mobile’s international plan, you can use Google Maps, Lyft, and Airbnb anywhere. If your airline is Gogo-enabled, you can count on an hour of free Wi-Fi and unlimited texting in the air.
Pros
-Unlimited data and text in 210+ countries
-Free hour of Wi-Fi and unlimited texting on Gogo-enabled flights
Cons
-Charges for international phone calls
Best Budget Option: Mint Mobile
Make international calls, even if you’re on a budget with Mint Mobile. The carrier offers the most affordable pricing for minute-to-minute international calls. In fact, calls to Mexico and Canada are included in your basic Mint phone plan. If you already have a Mint Mobile base plan, you can add to your roaming balance through Mint’s UpRoam service. Once you upgrade to an international plan, you can talk, text, and use data in more than 160 countries at cheap rates compared to other international phone plans.
Pros
-Low minute-to-minute rates
-Decent international coverage (for the price)
Cons
-Slower data speeds
Best Prepaid International Plan: Google Fi
Opting for Google Fi means getting the best international data speeds. Instead of just one network, Google Fi connects to networks owned by T-Mobile and US Cellular, and it also uses Wi-Fi networks. The company’s network and Wi-Fi hopping give you coverage in 200+ locations. If you have more than one active cellular network available, Google Fi will use the network that’s the fastest.
Pros
-Flexible coverage
-Fast data speeds
Cons
-Only compatible with specific devices
