The advent of the smartphone has created a state of “always online” in which many folks live today. Always connected, information readily at your fingertips, always reachable. While this situation has its pros and cons, the fact is that many people have become used to this condition as a way of life. Nowadays it is easy to maintain this state virtually anywhere in the U.S. What, then, is one to do when traveling abroad?

First let’s talk about plans. Every carrier provides an international package available in most countries around the world. Such a package allows you to access other carriers’ networks for calls, text and data at a discount from normal roaming costs. Hit the ground, turn on your phone and voila — it’s just like home. Your number stays the same; you can call anyone and everyone. Most times, though, the local country’s dialing requirements need to be followed, especially for international calls, so be sure to figure that out ahead of time.

The problem with the carrier package is that it can get quite expensive. Sure, it’s significantly less expensive than not having the package, but it would not be unusual for costs to hit several hundred dollars in just a few days.

An alternative to the carrier package is to get a SIM card from a local provider. Low-cost SIM cards are available most everywhere and usually easy to find. A month’s worth of service for even the most prolific users can be had for less than $100.

Swap out the SIM card in your phone and it’s like you have a local phone. Internet access, email and alternative communication packages such as Line and WhatsApp work just like you’re at home. The downside, of course, is that you now have a different phone number. If you want to receive calls and texts, you’ll need to inform everyone of your new number. A compromise would be to buy the cheapest carrier plan available and use that sparingly, while relying upon the local SIM card for the heavy lifting.

You also will need to be sure that your phone is unlocked, otherwise a swapped SIM card will not work. The good news is that due to recent legislation, it is now simple to unlock your phone. Most carriers provide a webpage to facilitate the unlocking, and as long as you are not under contract and paid up, the process is done in a couple of days.

If your phone is still under contract, then buying a cheap phone at your destination is an option to consider. Typically, however, such a phone will not be as functional as your usual phone, especially if you have a late-model iPhone or Android.

What about power? Few countries use the same power system as the U.S., notably Taiwan and Japan (U.S. three-prong plugs don’t fit in Japan). Virtually all smartphone chargers will work fine in any country, as long as you have a simple adapter for the plug. Don’t confuse this with a converter. A plug adapter costs only a few bucks.

John Agsalud is an IT expert with more than 25 years of information technology experience. Reach him at johnagsalud@yahoo.com.