This article will show how you can take your iPhone with you while traveling abroad, use it to the fullest and avoid expensive roaming costs. For many of us iPhone owners, the iPhone became an indispensable part of our lives. People, like me, became functionally and emotionally attached to this brilliant device. It is very natural that when I travel abroad I want to take my iPhone with me. Not only is it the best travel gadget I know – it has a GPS with local search, a compass (3GS model) and many travel apps, it stores the music I love, my audio book library, many useful, and not so useful but funny apps including of course games I just like to play. Not to mention, it is also a phone. That is why I always wanted to take my iPhone with me whenever I traveled. But until now it was too expensive.



In the past there were only 3 options for AT&T customers to travel with an iPhone.

1. Some iPhoners took their AT&T iPhone abroad and used it the same way they used it in the USA. They would switch Data Roaming option on in Settings and hope for the best. When they returned home a nasty surprise from AT&T was waiting for them: a roaming bill for several thousand dollars in iPhone data roaming fees.
Welcome to the cellular carriers’ world of roaming prices.




2. The second option to take your iPhone abroad was to make sure your Data Roaming switch in Settings was OFF. You could still use your iPhone to listen to music or to play games, but in my opinion most of the fun is gone. Why should I be deprived of using cutting edge technology features while on vacation when I need those most? I want to be able to use the great photo and video capabilities of iPhone 3GS, taking pictures while traveling and sending them by email or MMS to my family and friends in real time. I want to be able to immediately publish videos on youtube, or update my twitter and facebook with all of my best vacation experiences while they are still fresh and colorful in my mind. In a new unknown country I want to use Google local search and GPS, but this requires the downloading of Google maps. In short I want to use the iPhone technology to the fullest, which I can’t do if Data Roaming is off. Instead I have to wait until I get back home, or look for free Wi-Fi spots and then upload for hours while wasting precious vacation time. Not so good.



3. The third option for dedicated iPhone users was to unlock their iPhones and, upon arriving at their destination, hunt for a local SIM card which does not require a long term contract yet has an unlimited 3G data plan. There are many problems with this option. Unlocking an iPhone automatically waives the 1-year Apple warranty. After upgrading to the new iPhone OS version the iPhone would be locked again. Unlocked iPhones have problems working with cellular carriers. Most importantly, it is not always easy or even possible to find data SIM cards in foreign countries. For people who value their time and prefer quality service this option is no good as well.



In my life I do not like limitations. I decided to make more affordable and convenient for people to travel with smartphones, because I believe that this is how we will travel in the future. As a result IphoneTrip.com was created and our first goal was to let iPhone users travel the world with Data Roaming on, but with Data Roaming costs off. Rent Unlimited Internet Sim card with short term communication package for your journey. iPhoneTrip.com sim cards work with AT&T locked iPhones and any unlocked iPhone. All our communication packages include unlimited 3G internet, possibility to make free VoIP calls, voice minutes. You’ll know what your costs are upfront. No roaming data charges. Before your trip you’ll receive an iPhoneTrip.com sim card at your home delivered by FedEx. Insert it into your iPhone, check that you have 3G internet and you are ready to go.

Use advanced services like TripIt or applications like Packing to prepare for your journey.
Then you’ll have all your travel information available to you anywhere, anytime on your iPhone.

Travel happily with the internet in your pocket.


David Lipovkov

david@ofeus.com