Mobile internet abroad: what are the options?

On vacation or a business trip and curious about the possibilities of mobile internet abroad? In this article, we list the options for you and answer frequently asked questions.

Mobile internet abroad

While some people on holiday abroad are happy to get rid of their smartphone for a while, others cannot live without it. For example, to check the news, keep track of emails and directly upload holiday photos to social media. Mobile internet abroad is also useful for navigating or finding nice restaurants.

Within the EU: Dutch rate, but beware

If you travel within the member states of the European Union, you can simply use the internet, text messages and call at the Dutch rate. The data bundle you use in the Netherlands can therefore also be used within Europe. In that case, purchasing a separate foreign bundle is not necessary. Since June 15, 2017, these new roaming rules apply.

Please note if you have an unlimited data bundle. This is because it is not unlimited abroad, in order to prevent overloading of the network and nuisance for other users. It differs per provider how many GB you can use per month. For example, with Tele2 you can use up 9GB per month with an unlimited bundle and with T-Mobile 10GB. So always check with your provider what the conditions are for the ‘Fair Use Policy’ of your subscription.

Check Ben’s terms and conditions
Check the conditions of Hollandsnieuwe
Check the conditions of KPN
Check Simyo’s terms and conditions
Check the conditions of Tele2
Check the terms and conditions of Telfort
Check the terms and conditions of T-Mobile
Check Vodafone’s terms and conditions

Outside the EU: different rate, pay attention to this

If you are going to another country outside the EU, there are a number of things to consider when using mobile internet.

1. Roaming

If you cross the border and do nothing, your iPhone will switch to the mobile network of a foreign provider. You can leave mobile data and roaming on to use the internet abroad, but this will result in additional costs. These costs are higher than you are used to in the Netherlands and differ per country, so you can sometimes expect a hefty bill of which you do not have a good overview when you are traveling.

Roaming is therefore a possibility, but not recommended. From now on, you no longer have to switch on your roaming within the EU. Fortunately, it does not give you any extra costs if you have accidentally checked it.

2. Wifi

Another option is of course to use WiFi. For example, the network of your residence or free hotspots at cafes or restaurants. It is wise to use a VPN, such as Private Internet Access. This redirects your connection through another server, so you can browse the web more safely and be better protected from hackers trying to steal sensitive information.

3. Foreign bundle

If you also want to use the internet while on holiday outside of WiFi, you can purchase a bundle abroad. This saves you cheaper than roaming. This is also a solution if you are in Europe, but have already run out of your data bundle. The bundles are available in various formats and can be enabled via your provider’s app or via text message. You then pay a fixed amount for a certain number of MBs. Usually they are not huge bundles. They are a lot cheaper within the EU than outside. Below you will find links to rates pages of providers with a foreign bundle.

Ben: View all rates
Hollandsnieuwe: View all rates
Simyo: View all rates
KPN: View all rates
Telfort: View all rates
Tele2: View all rates
T-Mobile: View all rates
Vodafone: View all rates

4. MiFi router

If you want to surf abroad for a ‘domestic rate’, you can consider a MiFi router. That is a portable router that can accommodate a SIM card. You can then buy a prepaid data SIM card abroad, which you put in the MiFi router to set up a WiFi hotspot. This allows you to use the internet at the domestic prices of the country where you are. You can not only connect a phone to it, but also with a MacBook, for example. Or, if you are with a group, anyone can use it. Make sure you protect the network with a password, so that not everyone uses it just like that.

The only drawback is that a MiFi router itself costs money. Depending on whether you want to use the internet on 3G or 4G, you will spend 50 to 200 euros for such a box. Installation can also be a small job and you have to charge it regularly and therefore always carry it with you. But if you often travel and use a lot of data, you will quickly recover the costs.

Mobile internet tips abroad

Do you want to ensure that you do not use too much data when you are traveling? Then take a number of things into account. If you are going to a country where you have not been before and where you do not know the way, download the correct maps for the area in advance via Google Maps for example. It saves extra data if you don’t have to do that on the spot.

Mobile internet abroad: what are the options?