Staying Connected - By Johnny Jet
Posted on May 19, 2008
Johnny Jet is an expert on travel topics such as traveling in style on a tight budget. He also covers breaking news in the ever changing travel industry. Johnny writes a weekly newsletter, maintains an acclaimed travel website and a blog through which we shares tips and breaking news.
Staying Connected
People always ask me how I stay connected with friends, family and colleagues when I’m overseas. Well, I use my BlackBerry with an international plan but it’s expensive to make calls so I just use it to email and PIN.
I got it unlocked so that I can swap out the SIM card to get on a local network but that’s usually too much work given the fact that I don’t make a lot of calls on my BlackBerry. Instead, I rely on Skype. It’s really changing the world – especially for travelers. Skype’s rates can’t be beat. In addition, Skype is simple to use.
To get started, you’ll need a computer with high-speed Internet and a headset, which you can buy at any electronics store. Just let the clerk know that you want to use it for Skype and they’ll show you several options. I advise a small headset so it won’t take up precious room in your suitcase (and it shouldn’t cost more than about $15). Then, just log on to Skype.com, download the free software, create a Skype username and password and follow the simple instructions.
You should add $10 (the minimum required) to your Skype credit, so you can start dialing international phone numbers. Calls to other Skype users are free, but you can call any number in the world – including cell phones — at ridiculously cheap rates. It’s usually about two cents a minute to call anywhere in the world and it’s free for domestic calls.
At those rates, there’s no excuse not to stay connected with friends, family, business associates or anyone you meet on the road.
For more great tips from Johnny check out his site www.johnnyjet.com.
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