Using your mobile overseas

Mobile phones are useful items to take with you on holiday. Not only do most modern models come with boredom-busting applications such as music players and games, but they can also be used to text or phone home and to call for help in an emergency. If you're thinking of taking your mobile on holiday this summer, make sure you are able and prepared to use it overseas.

Start by ensuring that your network permits you to use your mobile abroad. If your phone is not enabled for international roaming then your provider should be able to remedy this for you, but the process can take up to three weeks and must be initiated before you leave on your trip. Make sure you find out whether your handset will work in the country you are visiting, and also what the tariff is for roaming charges in that country.

If you're a regular traveler then it could be worth choosing a mobile contract that allows you cheap calls abroad. Many network providers have fixed-fee packages that are tailored towards frequent travelers. Better still, Vodafone are currently offering a summer Passport deal which allows holiday makers to use their mobiles abroad for no additional fee - so you needn't feel guilty about phoning home whenever the mood takes you. If you aren't already with Vodafone it could even be worth picking up a cheap handset if you're going to be out of the country a lot this summer - check out the Vodafone site for their full range of mobile phone deals.

To get the most out of your mobile while holidaying abroad, make sure you also consider the practicalities of overseas phone usage. Take a charger and an electrical adapter for your phone charger plug, and programme important numbers such as the local emergency services and the nearest British consulate into your address book. For pre-paid mobile phones, top up credit before you leave and make sure you know how to pay as you go while abroad.

Finally, safety is an important consideration for anybody using a mobile abroad. Before you leave, make a note of your mobile's serial number, your phone number and the number of your network's customer services, and keep these in a safe place separate from your handset. It is also worth keeping your handset separate from your money and other valuables, so you can quickly report losses or stolen goods.

By following these simple steps, you can give yourself peace of mind as well as making sure that your mobile is providing optimum service during your summer holidays.