Americans Need Lesson in International Data Usage

For most of us, our mobile devices have become out life blood. They contain all of our communications – business and personal and just about everything we need to get through the day can be tucked into the device operations somehow.

We’ve come to rely on them so much so that losing connectivity or having an uncharged battery can cause trauma and breakdowns – or a ‘fear of missing out.’

But what happens if we need to travel –especially abroad? For most of us the thought of carrying a device across seas doesn’t cross our minds, or we worry about incurring insane long distance fees – we just brace ourselves to do without them.

This worry over mobile data costs is keeping many Americans from being productive while they travel and even adding unneeded stress to the trip.

A new survey from Serious Insights for Telestial, “American Travelers: Not Masters of International Data,” surveyed 237 U.S. based international travelers to find out about their mobile experiences while abroad.

According to the study, six out of ten people said they change their typical mobile usage and behaviors by checking and responding less frequently to important emails and use their apps like GPS less while they are traveling.

"Americans just don't get international data. Addicted to connectivity at home, they needlessly cut themselves off while abroad," said Dan Rasmus, Founder and Principal Analyst at Serious Insights. "Global travelers from other countries are much more familiar and comfortable with options like country-specific SIM cards, data bundles or different devices for controlling overseas data costs. American travelers lag way behind.”

Whenever I have family from Italy visiting here in the U.S., I am blown away by their ability to still use their mobile devices to text with friends, post on social media, and more. My anxiousness is foreign to them as they have become used to operating their mobile devices based off of SIM cards that are purchased on an as need basis – unlike the monthly rate charges from cell phone providers in the States.

"The same people who look for great deals on flights and hotels don't bother to find deals on data plans.  One key reason is that they have been scared by high charges from domestic cell phone providers and stories of bill shock in the media, to the extent that they would rather just shut off their phones to save money while abroad," Rasmus said.

One way to combat this fear in the future and remain just as productive overseas as when anywhere else, is to better understand the options.

In addition to SIM card options, there is also public Wi-Fi. Mainly though, Americans are not typically given an accurate breakdown and understanding of what their provider is charging as ‘data’ usage versus calls and texting. Gaining a better understanding of this breakdown can empower American travels and alleviate the fear of bill shock.