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Before You Travel Internationally, Check Your Cell Phone Plan
PUBLISHED: May 23, 2012
...Or You Could Have a Surprise in Your Bill When You Return

Are you going on a long awaited vacation outside of the US?  Do you plan to stay in touch using your smartphone for voice, texting and email?

Well make sure you call your cellular company before you go!  Unless you sign up for a roaming plan for the country or area you are traveling to, you could be facing voice charges of up to $2 per minute and data costs can be even higher.  By paying a small fee for a plan in the area you are traveling, these usage fees can be reduced up to 80%.

Another problem with data is you might not even know you are using the data.  If you don't plan to use the data functionality of your phone, be sure to turn off the roaming feature and all of your apps.  That way you won't be using data unknowingly.

A little planning can allow you to use your phone internationally and not have a huge invoice waiting for you when you return.

Tags: HPA Group News, smartphone, texting, email, roaming plan, international travel

About Us

HPA Consulting Group

HPA Consulting Group, Inc. (HPA) is a privately owned consulting firm headquartered in Rochester, NY providing specialized consulting services in Voice and Data Communications. HPA was founded in 1994 by Bill Hughes and Tom Phelps. Together, the HPA Team has over 200 years of experience in many facets of voice and data communications.

HPA facilitates businesses in determining the best communications solution for their company. This involves voice and data networks, call centers and broadband applications. In addition, HPA manages the telecom expenses for businesses to get them the most cost effective telecom solutions possible. HPA also helps telecommunications providers and manufacturers with their marketing, sales and business planning.

Since HPA's formation in 1994, over 400 clients have contracted to HPA for services. HPA has planned, designed and implemented a variety of voice and data solutions that have enabled businesses to enhance their operations in a cost-effective manner. HPA has also audited telecommunications invoices and recommended changes to client’s telecommunications services that have resulted in millions of dollars in savings for HPA’s clients.

Finally, HPA has performed work in a variety of areas for Local Exchange, Wireless, CATV, Long Distance Companies, Manufacturers and Software Providers.

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Some HPA Projects Include:

  • Designed and implemented a complete new voice, data and security network for a regional bank and their branches. Results included improved customer service in their call center, improved communication between locations and redundancy at all locations including the branches.
  • Designed and implemented a new VoIP telecommunications network including new equipment and services for a Rochester based not-for-profit with over 15 locations.
  • Redesigned a not-for-profit organization’s telecommunications system in five cities by implementing new services and pricing and auditing telephone bills. The savings paid for all new telephone equipment in less than two years.
  • Manage the communications network for a regional hospital in central New York. HPA has lowered the costs for the hospital and at the same time implemented a more up-to-date network with more functionality and redundancy.
  • Designed and implemented a Call Center for a Benefit Company in Rochester. Project resulted in drastic improvements in customer service.
  • Planned and designed a new voice and data network for a Law Firm with six locations in New York State.

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HPA Consulting Group

349 West Commercial Street
Suite 2285
East Rochester, NY 14445

Phone: 585-461-2560

Web: www.hpagroup.com



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