Your smartphone connects to the internet over the mobile network, so you can go online almost anywhere. Your network provider charges for the data you use, and while that may cost little at home, it can quickly become expensive abroad if you are not careful.
Do not worry. If you connect to a free Wi-Fi network, you can browse at practically no cost.
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is a wireless network. You will find it in restaurants, cafés, airports, hotels, trains and planes. Some cities even offer free Wi-Fi across the whole city.
Using Wi-Fi means you avoid unexpected charges and do not use up the data in your plan when you are abroad. Look for free Wi-Fi when you want to look something up online, use social media or send picture messages (MMS) to keep in touch with your grandchildren.
Watch out for data roaming abroad
If your plan includes mobile data, your phone automatically updates apps and email over the mobile network. When you are abroad, this is called data roaming, and it can be very expensive.
To switch it off:
- In the menu on your smartphone, choose Set or Settings, depending on your phone model.
- Tap My Internet connection, then Mobile data.
- Tap More... and make sure Data roaming is switched off.
How to connect to Wi-Fi
Most restaurants, cafés and hotels have Wi-Fi, almost wherever you travel. If you cannot see a Wi-Fi sign, ask the staff for the network name and password.
To connect:
- In the menu on your smartphone, choose Set or Settings.
- Tap My Internet connection, then Wi-Fi.
- When the list of available networks appears, tap the network you want.
- If a password is needed, enter it exactly as it is spelt.
- Tap Connect.
Once you are connected, you can browse for free.
The connection only works within range of the Wi-Fi network. When you leave, you cannot use it again until you are back within range.
Happy surfing.
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