Beware Apple iPhone Traveler

November 25, 11:13 AMCharleston Travel ExaminerTroy Vaughn

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Charleston Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

iPhone and money to burn

No kidding.  I'm on the train in Germany and I get this call on my cell phone.  "Mr. Vaughn, are you in Europe?"  Of course, I said, "Yes Ma'am!"  "Well sir, this is AT&T calling and your data usage is way out of whack...Currently your looking at about $600.00 dollars US just in data charges!"

I immediately pulled the emergency break on the train.  As this confused most of the other passengers, I realize that I may have over-reacted.  I asked, "How much did you say?"  She again replied, "Like $600.00 dollars sir!"  That is when I fainted.  Not from this shocking news, but because I am sure that I was in full cardiac arrest.

As I awoke with the Porters standing over me, and I realized that the train was returning to its previous velocity, I calmly asked for an explanation.  As it turns out, when traveling abroad with the Apple iPhone, technologically savvy consumers must be aware of the differences in roaming packages. 

I, being relatively informed, purchased the Europe Roaming VOICE package at about $35.00/month extra. 

What I DID NOT  purchase was the $110.00/month extra DATA and TEXT package.

Here lies my near fatal error.

In all fairness to AT&T, the customer service agent quickly sold me the package and back-dated its effective start date.  She said that she could tell that I was a relatively new customer and they wanted to make sure that I was informed correctly and would therefore return state-side a happy customer.  Kudos to the folks who do this, it really is a nice touch.  However, I wouldn't expect it as a normal treatment.  They didn't have to do it.

As I returned from my month long trip abroad, I faced the incredible cell phone bill of $1,174.00 U.S.  That's about 15 euro(~just kidding).

After adjustments, I had to pay near $550.00 dollars for the month, and an additional $325.00 dollars the next month, as billing cycles overlap.

What went wrong?  Well, here is the skinny.  Go to settings.  Go to WiFi and select OFF.  Turning off the auto WiFi capability abroad, will reduce the nice automatic function of this data download you enjoy back in the States.  If you need your email through the device, find a free WiFi hot spot, then connect and download, manually.  Please know that every piece of spam and junk mail costs you something.  The service providers don't care if you're downloading important documents, or the latest jokes and photos that your Doctor friend back home constantly sends.  You're being charged by the megabit.  So, if it's not free WiFi access, leave it off.

This will leave you free to use the phone in europe, however, roaming charges differ for each country.  typically an addition $.35 to $.50 per minute.  And all outgoing texts are about $.50 cents each as well.  Use this only as needed.  Useless texting to the gang back home will hurt your feelings when you get your statement.

I hope that this was helpful to you, Apple Lover.  I wish I had known.  As it's been said,  "From wine there is truth", and from pain their is memory.

One further suggestion, plan your trip in advance and sign up for your roaming additions early.  AT&T needs time to get it added to your account, and this preparation will make your billing cycle a little smoother and less likely to cause you a trip to the Emergency Room with chest pains.