Best Phone Tech Features for Travelers

Internet and phone access are crucial when we travel.  I know, I know: you want to go to a deserted island where no one can bother you with a phone call.  But what happens when the kookaburra bird steals your travelers' checks?  Or if you tire of eating only coconuts and want to find a decent near-by restaurant?

If, like me, you travel with small children and/or a senior citizen, radio silence is a luxury that could imperil your vacationing family.

You can still have both privacy and security on your home exchange vacation.  Just turn off the mobile phone until you need it.

The question arises, which is the best cell phone for home swap vacationers?

Before we start, let me say that I am no technology expert.  Corrections and alternate opinions are welcome via the comments link below.

WORLD PHONES

The first feature a home exchanger should look for is the ability for the phone to connect to any cellular voice network across the home country or any other continent the swapper plans to visit.

A "quad-band" phone is your best bet to be able to use the phone as something other than a paperweight, no matter where you travel.

Quad-band phones can connect your call via multiple networks, letting you stay in touch where ever you may roam.

It's possible that this could be a drawback if your phone plan has roaming charges. 

Check with your carrier to make sure you won't be charged extra if the phone makes a call on a competitor's network if your carrier's signal is not available.

INTERNET

There are many ways for a mobile phone to connect to the internet.

In general, these methods can be divided into slow or fast.

To avoid worrying about the relative merits of various connection types, cut through the tech-speak and make sure you get a phone that has the same option you have already experienced in a cafe or perhaps in your home or workplace: wi-fi.

Wi-fi gives the phone internet access anywhere there is a wi-fi signal.  This includes many major chains such as the dominant coffee bar, lots of casual restaurants, most airports and even outdoor areas of many cities.

It's a good bet that if you find a phone with wi-fi it will have at least one other high-speed internet connection method.

This article tells us a bit about choosing voice and data connection methods.  What about the phone itself?  Stay tuned.

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