Broadband provider advises customers on smart phones

Australian broadband provider Telstra is offering advice to smart phone customers, advising them to conduct a health check on their phones before heading abroad for the festive season.

With more and more people using smart phones to get online whilst out and about the provider has decided to make sure that customers do not end up with bill shock after using their phones abroad.

An official from Telstra said that these smart phones were very popular amongst customers, and that more than a third of customers would be using data on their smart phones whilst they were abroad. The company has published a number of tips for smart phone users going abroad on its website.

She said: “Smartphones combine the capabilities of a mobile phone and a personal computer, to offer travelers a world of entertainment and information at their fingertips – from email access for last-minute bookings, to must-have language apps and easy-to-use GPS tracking to get you from A to B. However, it’s important to remember that using your smartphone overseas does incur data charges and usage should be monitored. Your Australian data rates will not apply once you leave the country. ”

She added: “Some smartphones have software or applications that automatically initiate data sessions. For example, it might be frequently checking your email and, even if there aren’t any emails to download, this incurs charges. International roaming can be costly, so you may want to either disable data access while you’re overseas or choose one of our dedicated International Roaming data options. Plus when it comes to calling, keep in mind that if someone calls you from back home, while they pay for the mobile connection within Australia, the call will then get directed to your mobile overseas, and you’ll be billed for this international call.”

Are you planning to take your smart phone abroad to use? Comment and let us know

Source – Telstra