10 Signs That You Are a Frequent Traveller

signs of frequent traveller

If it’s now easy for you to deal with a jet lag, or if an airline hostess already knows you by name, and that you’re used to asking for a bargain for virtually everything you want to purchase, then you must be a notorious traveler.

This is made more obvious when you can identify locations in a movie as places you have been to, which is pretty cool.

Frequent traveling may either be something you cringe at or something that brings excitement. But regardless of how you view it, every journey is a means to discover the world and yourself.

Regular flyers can relate to the ups and downs of traveling that first timer can never understand. Not until they have travelled and had the personal experience. If you can relate to the things mentioned below, you are a certified travel junkie!

Signs That You Are a Frequent Traveller

1. Your travel passport tells your story

passport

It’s not normal to have staff at the immigrations office meet and greet you by name unless you are a frequent visitor. 

Next, you may realise that you now know your passport number by heart, and you can’t have it stamped. Not because it isn’t legit, but because it has been stamped all over that there’s no space left for a single rubber stamp.

This is another clear indication that you often leave the country and have been boarding planes more than cars.

 

2. Packing is a less than half an hour task

traveling bags

To a tour freak, home is anywhere! So they never really care to store their clothes on drawers. Instead, they have all sorts of travel clothing on their bags. Always ready to go when the need to journey arises.

A one-time traveler will spend the whole day trying to figure out what they need for a tour, but still forget some of the most important stuff.

 

3. You are familiar with airport procedures

traveling-abroad

A traveler who refers to a city by its airport code and can navigate comfortably through any airport definitely flies more often. Some notorious ones know how to find their way even in airports they have never been to.

In addition, only travel junkies can recite word by word the safety video played in most planes at the start of every flight. 

 

4. You are savvy about Travel Apps and Extra Data Roaming Charges

waze

Long distance travelers appreciate how much Google Maps and other Travel Apps help them when they’re in a foreign land. For that reason, they download several mobile apps in their Smartphone.

And because they can’t stay away from phones, they know how to avoid extra roaming charges.

onesimcard

For that reason, the always carry along OneSimCard. These are international SIM Cards that let travelers browse, text, and make global calls without the unnecessary extra roaming charges.  

Problem is, five in ten travellers don’t realise they waste too much cash on data bundles. It shouldn’t be ignored as it eats into your budget.

MUST READ: Picking the Perks: Choosing the Best International SIM Card

 

5. Airports are like your second home

You know you are a consistent tourist if you have been in airports repeatedly until they feel just the right place to be all the time.

Also, frequent flyers often develop funny habits from regular travelling. For instance, they can doze off pretty much anywhere; in the airplane, at the airport, in buses and at park benches.

 

6. You are so used to flight delays and the long queues at the airport

waiting at the airport

For some people, the lengthy waits that come with delayed flights are a dreadful experience. The long queues are more wearisome and may piss you off, more so, if it’s your first time at the airport.

On the contrary, tour enthusiasts are pretty much used to delays. They know how to keep themselves busy to avoid boredom. 

 

7. You love to do most of your travel shopping at Duty-Free shops

With time, travel junkies become savvy to get around overpricing in airport shops. They soon discover that it’s better to buy from duty-free shops.

Further, you’ll notice that their homes are full of foreign goods.  As long as the product is affordable and meets their standards they’ll buy it.

 

8. You are familiar with a few essential phrases in almost all languages.

Having met people from all walks of life, routine travelers learn few phrases from different languages. They usually practice a few compliments to help them start conversations with foreigners.

Travelers also develop the habit of keeping currency from different countries in their wallets. And they can also convert the value of one currency to another in a snap. 

 

9. You visit travel websites all the time

Travelers are always surfing the web in search for the best offers and charges. They’re on the lookout for a hotel package that lasts for days or the cheapest flight rates to their destination.

This means, if you can’t stay away from websites such as Expedia, STA Travel, Hotel Club Airbnb and Couch then you are a certified tour freak.

 

10. You have had buddies, exes and sometimes; one night stands from almost all continents

friends travel bonding

What do we expect anyway? People are social beings. If you have had such partners from all continents then you must have really toured the globe.

The above are sure signs that you have been travelling a lot, It doesn’t matter what your reasons are for travelling. What matters is you make the most of your journeys, see the world and challenge yourself. With this, you get to have a better understanding of life and you know what you can do. It is through travel then you can experience little triumphs and profound joy.   

Picking the Perks: Choosing the Best International SIM Card

Choosing the best international sim

Traveling overseas is fun, that is, until communication with people back home becomes a challenge.

Using your existing subscriber identity module (SIM) card overseas often results in expensive roaming bills applied by your service provider at home. As an alternative,  you may get an international plan, but this is never a good idea either – you’re still likely going to pay a lot for it.

Problem is, the vast majority of phone service providers follow this same controversial strategy, so chances are, you’ll still be paying the additional roaming fees. That’s why you’ll want to find alternative low-cost solutions. Often, these will be:

  1. Grab a local SIM in the country you are visiting, or;
  2. Find a international SIM card you’ll use during your time overseas.

Swapping your home plan for either of these will translate to reasonable call and texting charges. You’ll can also go online without having to break the bank. However, you may still want to eliminate one option for the other.

Why using local SIM card option isn’t a good idea

internation simcards

Even though you enjoy the same rates as the locals, local SIM cards mean that your family and friends calling or texting you from home will be charged more.

Additionally, it’s not always possible to obtain a SIM card from the local stores in all the countries you visit. Note that some countries such as Japan and India require you to provide proof of residency before you can buy one. Otherwise, an international SIM card would be your best option overseas.

How do you find the best international SIM card?

There are your criteria in choosing the right SIM card while travelling abroad.

internation simcards

Customer service and support

You won’t immediately know where services are overseas, especially during your initial days there. This means that in case you cannot make a call, your best source of help would be the phone service provider.

As such, an international SIM card provider that offers reliable customer support and ready help is your best bet. Before buying the service, check if they provide help 24/7. If not, know which hours they offer customer service. One that also offers help online will be great.

Data perks

Travelling overseas means you will not be able to access WiFi most of the time. Bundles will save you a lot of cash for your internet needs as against availing a stand alone service.

Bundles also give you a peace of mind as you’ll not have to worry about your data consumption and cost on every event.

Coverage

 While some international SIM cards provide coverage for a few countries, some cover well over 200 countries across different regions.

International roaming charges

Ideally you’ll want to go for a SIM card that allows you to receive calls for free while travelling to keep your call expenses ultra-low. So consider that the card you are buying offers free international roaming for the country you are visiting.

Expiry of SIM and credit

If the credit on your SIM card expires really quick, then you’ll be forced to top up every other time and you may also lose unused airtime. Thus, you should avoid companies that terminate your SIM if you don’t top up frequently, such as after every 30 days.

It’s the most clever way to keep your international SIM card for life so your contacts can always reach you on the same number when you travel.

Ease with which to top up your card

A good company will provide you with convenient, alternative ways of topping up your card so you don’t have to look everywhere for a top up shop every time you need credit. Being limited in options like these can be frustrating if you are travelling to far-flung places. You should be able to top up your card at any time.

Call quality

The infrastructure provided by the phone company will determine the quality of your calls.

You want a card that will provide both good signal quality and connectivity so you can have no trouble calling, texting or getting online. Phone networks with tier 1 carriers are often preferred as they tend to provide leading quality.

Size of SIM card

 There are 3 different SIM card sizes you can get: the standard size, micro SIM and nano SIM size. Be sure you buy the right size for your handset.

The phone number you get

There are SIM cards that come with several numbers. So you can get a single SIM card with numbers for USA, UK or Eastern Europe for instance.

Be sure to choose one with a number that will be easy to remember so it would be easy for people to contact you.

Additional perks

Additional perks will differ among service providers.Do your homework and ensure you buy a SIM card that offers you the best perks in both call and data, as well as in terms of customer service.

onesimcard

OneSimCard offers a $29.95 Plus SIM package for cheaper international calls and SMS in different countries. Travellers who would wish to get cheaper calls can go for the Plus SIM and enjoy lower voice call rates across the various countries they visit.

We also provide roaming mobile phone service in more than 200 countries across different regions, with a standard saving of 85 percent on voice calls. You can enjoy free incoming calls in 160 countries and data service in over 170 of these countries.

We also offer a Data & Roam package on all unlocked GSM phones, with some of the lowest data rates in the market. What’s more, we allow you to take a bi-weekly or monthly package, whichever you want.

Added to our VoIP app that allows customers to send cheap SMS and make and receive low-cost calls over Wifi, OneSimCard international sim card is the best in the market.

International SIM Cards – Are They Worth Buying?

International SIM Cards

Using your regular subscriber identity module (SIM) card overseas to stay in touch with people back home can be overly expensive.

roaming

Local mobile SIM card companies apply very high roaming charges on international networks. The solution is to buy an international SIM card to use when going abroad.

international sim cards

You can always buy a SIM card in the country you are visiting, but these have a number of disadvantages. Or you can have an international SIM  

Still, not all international SIM cards are equal. They vary in terms of service and features. To help you find the right one, here is a list of pointers for buying an international SIM card.  

Your phone: compatible, locked or unlocked?

First of all. your phone must be unlocked so that an international SIM will work in it.

Then, check the technology compatibility of your phone. A phone that uses CDMA technology can only work on local frequencies, not overseas.

On the other hand, GSM is a very portable technology. Problem is, some local cell phone companies choose to lock (restrict) their devices to be used only on the network of that specific carrier that sells it.

In any case, you’ll have to get the phone unlocked before you can use it with any SIM. Check with your original network, as they usually do this, albeit for a fee. Alternatively, you can have repair specialists unlock your phone for you. Otherwise you can simply buy an unlocked phone from third-party retailers and use on any network without restrictions.

Once you have an unlocked handset, you can choose from a myriad of international SIM cards available in the market.

Data bundles and packages: do they suit your needs?  

You won’t always be plugged on to Wi-Fi when you travel overseas so if you are an internet buff then you will need a cell data plan.

cp and laptop

It’s really difficult to estimate the amount of data you’ll use. But you can save by subscribing to data weekly or monthly bundles.

Voice and text services: can you enjoy free incoming calls?   

Communication needs vary from user to user. If you are a business person then you might need to make a lot of calls. That’s why you should check if a global SIM card that offers the best voice and text services or perks to meet your specific expectations.

For one, the most preferred SIM cards offer free incoming calls from numerous countries. With free incoming calls, you can always text someone and have them call you instead.

The phone number you get: is it expensive to call?

Every SIM has at least one assigned phone number. This number has to be registered to a country, and this determines rates for incoming calls.

Chances are that someone or a group of people might be contacting you more than others. That’s why it’s important to consider how much these people need to pay when calling you.  

Hence, go for a phone with an international code that will make calling you affordable. A U.K. number, for instance, will begin with a +44, a U.S. number +1, while a German dialing code will be +49.

With an international SIM, the code on your global phone number remains, regardless of which country you are staying. People who call you will be charged as if they are calling that given country. Suppose you have a US number and you visit Germany,  your callers will pay for an international call to a US number.

List of countries

Some international SIM cards cover only a limited number of countries while there are those that have a worldwide coverage. The list of countries covered by the card will determine the number of locations where you can use the SIM card. To avoid having to incur additional costs of buying a new international SIM every now and again, consider buying a card that has the widest international coverage.

different countries

Look into the number of countries that are accessible through the global SIM card you’re buying before you check off. Most international SIM card companies will have these countries listed somewhere on their website. You can look through to establish if all the countries you intend to visit are covered on the list before you buy.

Recharge: how easy is it?

Go for a card that is easy and convenient to top up. A lot of international SIM cards have an auto-recharge feature which can prove to be extremely handy when you are in some remote part of a country you barely know. Others also provide you with alternative options that are equally convenient such as the ability to top up through the web or via a phone app.

While these features and services can prove to be a bit confusing with most international SIM cards, OneSimCard has streamlined their services, offering a number of key advantages:  

  • Fantastic Data rates worldwide. 5 GB of data for only $29.95
  • Service in 200+ countries
  • Free incoming calls in 160+ countries
  • Redundant network partners in most countries – we  choose the best signal strength for our customers
  • Huge saving compared to the international roaming offered by your domestic carrier

OneSimCard lets you save 85% or more on your international roaming charges overseas.

Furthermore, we provide some of the lowest call costs on outgoing calls and data packages from as low as $0.02 per MB.

We’d love to hear how we can be of service to you.

Call now!

Internet of Things: The Rise of the Machines (M2M)

rise of machine

Ever wondered how sophisticated machines like industrial units coordinate their different functions without the direct control of an operator? Or how the various systems of a plane are seamlessly coordinated to ensure nothing goes wrong along the way?

Industrial systems

Industrial systems, engines and sophisticated machines are increasingly wired by technology that can facilitate activities flawlessly without any additional human input. Such technology is capable of diagnosing system operations and detect problems way before they occur – welcome to the world of M2M.

Machine to machine

M2M or Machine to machine is a concept used to describe technologies that enable networked devices to exchange data or information and perform the right actions without the manual human assistance.

Machine to machine communication is used in remote monitoring of machine operations and system processes. It has become an important aspect of warehouse management, robotics, remote control, traffic control, fleet management, supply chain management, logistic services and telemedicine.  

M2M is a subset of the Internet of Things (IoT)

While some people, including professionals within the industry view that M2M and IoT are interchangeable, the two have different meanings.

gadget controller

M2M depends on a network – with cellular, satellite, public networks – coming into play as for the machines to send and receive instructions.  IoT on the other hand refers to a broader concept and is not limited to telco networks.

IoT

IoT is a system of interrelated computing devices, objects, mechanical and digital machines or people that have the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-computer or human-to-human interaction. There are unique identifiers in IoT that enable the system to do online data gathering, process automation, and remote control.

IoT centres on connecting applications and devices. Autonomous data, personal devices, app generated events, server or cloud processing can all be interlinked under the IoT.

Considering the data sharing aspect, M2M with Internet protocols qualifies as a subset of IoT.

Simply put, machine-to-machine communication involves the transfer of information between machines and remote application infrastructure aimed at monitoring and controlling the machine itself or the surrounding environment, with the use of network resources. The IoT on the other hand is all about the potential interconnection of smart objects and the means by which we interact with the digital machines and use them in the physical world.

The state of M2M technologies today

IoT has enabled companies to provide better services and reduce costs, ultimately improving the quality of life.

m2m tech

It has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, micro services, MEMS or micro-electromechanical systems and the internet into something greater and interconnected. IoT is still evolving. Good thing It has allowed unstructured data generated by machines to be analysed for insights that can drive major improvements.

The concept came up after the co-founder and executive director of The MIT Auto-ID Kevin Ashton first mentioned it in his 1999 presentation to Procter & Gamble.

Its subset, M2M system has components that include sensors, a Wi-Fi or cellular communications link, RFID and autonomic computing software that are programmed to help a networked device interpret chunks of data and make decisions – just as Kevin Ashton envisioned when he first talked about IoT in 1999.

Today, the most popular type of M2M communication is telemetry. This refers to the recording and transmission the readings of an implement; which has been in use for decades to transmit operational data.

Telemetry now uses the internet moving from telephone lines and radio waves.

M2M Communication

Aspects of machine to machine communication can now be found in products like home heating units, Internet-connected household appliances and electric meters. Products with built-in M2M capabilities are commonly labelled as ‘smart’ products while being marketed to end users.

M2M communication is currently built as task- or device-specific systems without a standardised connected device platform.

Application of M2M communication

The full potential of M2M communication is yet to be realised.

Common components of M2M systems such as Wi-Fi, cellular communication links, autonomic computing, RFID, sensors and programming software are things that we interact with or use daily.  These are all elements that help a networked device interpret data independently and come up with the right decisions.

How many products do you know that are labelled as smart? These smart devices are all laced with the IoT technology, evidencing the vast importance of M2M communication to both individuals and businesses.

At OneSimCard, we have a range of solutions designed to make it easier to automate your business processes and expansion, cut costs, increase productivity and improve customer service as well as the quality of life.

Here are some of the main application areas where our M2M services come handy:

Asset Management

Machine to machine communication has become crucial in the automotive industry.

You can use our services in managing and tracking your fleet and other high value assets. Other forms of M2M asset management applications include monitoring of fuel consumption, maintenance reporting, collection of field data, telematics and prevention of fraud.  

Services Management

Our IoT packages can help you save energy on your appliances, both at the household and business level.

We can also help you with job site connectivity, maintenance scheduling and preventive maintenance.

Remote monitoring

You can make it easier to manage your security and other services through building automation. We can also help you remotely get your meter readings, and check your digital signs & billboards.

Let us know how we can help you with the huge range of M2M services we offer.

OneSimCard is an international sim card provider and mobile service for savvy travelers to greatly reduce the cost of using a mobile phone or other mobile devices while traveling overseas.

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