Comparing Plans and Coverage: AT&T vs Verizon vs Keepgo

A smartphone has grown into something bigger than just a communication tool. This is your primary source of information when you are on the go. It’s your map and translator whenever you go to a new place. It’s one of those modern conveniences that make our international travel easier and safer. 

When you leave for a vacation you keep your smartphone always in handy. It’s important to take care of the international connectivity plan before you leave your country. If you decide to stick to your current carrier or switch cell phone provider, you need to realize that the company you work with may charge you extra for roaming services.

When it comes to the selection of connectivity providers, we always want to get the best services delivered by the industry leaders. Such big wireless carriers as AT&T and Verizon offer international plans for their USA customers, which include calls, texts, and data. Smaller carriers like Keepgo also let you connect your devices to the Internet and use all of your favorite messaging apps and other data wherever you travel. 

Before going abroad, you need to carefully read the fine print of what kind of coverage and data you get for the money that you pay. Also, you need to get a sense of how much data you will need when you travel. 

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For what purposes do you need to use data abroad? Are you going to make phone calls, send text messages or access the web and post updates on social media? Your answer is important. This helps you decide on the best international plan that will keep you connected when you go to a foreign country. 

If you are trying to decide what carrier to go abroad with, the following comparison of AT&T vs Verizon vs Keepgo international plans will help you pick the best solution for you.

AT&T International Plans & Coverage

AT&T is the USA-based cellular carrier that has partnered with a number of companies offering international mobile phone services to American customers who frequently travel abroad. The company offers several international data and calling packages to let customers always stay connected when going outside the USA. 

One of the biggest strengths of AT&T is its international coverage. For example, AT&T International Day Pass lets you access the Internet, place calls, and send text messages from about 100 countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. 

AT&T lets you choose from several travel options:

• International Day Pass - $10/day - make unlimited text and talk, and use your plan's monthly data allowance without additional roaming charges. 
• AT&T Passport - $70/30 days per device - includes 1GB of data in 200+ countries, unlimited texts to the world, $0.35 per minute for calls. 
• Pay-per-use - $2.05/MB - the rates are applied when you travel in a country that’s not included in a package or when your package expires.

Verizon International Plans & Coverage

Verizon is the second largest telecommunications provider in the USA after AT&T. Compared to AT&T that offers coverage in 100+ countries, Verizon lets you use your smartphone in about 185 countries. If you travel to a country where both AT&T and Verizon provide coverage, it’s more beneficial to give preference to the carrier whose rates are the best for you.

Verizon does offer several International plans to their customers:

• TravelPass - $5 -$10 per day - is a wireless plan that lets you use your phone as you do at home, with unlimited texting and calling, as well as 4G LTE data. You are charged only on the days when you use your device for texts, calling, and data abroad. TravelPass offers coverage in 185+ countries.
• Monthly International Travel Plan - $100 per line - is a monthly bundle of 250 minutes, 1000 sent texts, and 5GB of data that you can use in 185+ countries. 
• Pay as You Go rates - from $0.99/min to $2.99/min for calls, $2.05/MB of data, $0.50 sent and $0.05 received text messages - the rates are applied when you do not add TravelPass or a Monthly Travel Bundle when you go abroad. 
• Cruise Ship Pay as You Go - $2.99/min voice pricing, $0.50/message sent and $0.05/message received  - talk and exchange text messages on more than 400 cruise ships. Cellular data is not provided while at sea. 

Keepgo International Plans and Coverage

Keepgo is the mobile broadband services provider that has partnered with the best cellular networks in 100+ most-traveled countries, including AT&T, Telefonica, Vodafone, and about 500 other connectivity providers. Unlike AT&T and Verizon, Keepgo focuses on providing international travelers with the best coverage wherever you go, without any roaming charges at all.  

When you browse the collection of Keepgo products, you will find a lifetime data SIM card for unlocked devices and a travel WiFi hotspot, both featuring cost-effective refill plans with data valid forever as long as you refill at least once a year. Whatever option you choose, your devices will be connected to the best cellular data provider in the country that you visit. 

• The international data SIM card ($49) includes 1GB of pre-loaded 4G LTE data valid for a year since its activation. This is the best solution if you travel alone or leave for a business trip and need to keep your handheld device or a laptop always connected to the Internet. With its help, you can connect an unlocked device to the Internet in the 100+ most popular travel destinations. The SIM card works with both iOS and Android devices, dual SIM smartphones, and SIM-enabled laptops. 

• If you travel with family and friends, you will need to take care of their connectivity also. This is when an international WiFi hotspot ($99) from Keepgo comes in handy. With its help, you can keep up to 16 devices connected at one time. The hotspot also includes 1GB of prepaid data that is valid for a year since the day you start using it. The device is designed to fit in your pocket. It’s small and lightweight. 

Keepgo has made the cost of refill plans more affordable for travelers. The data prices include:

• 100MB refill costs $3 (€2.50);
• 1GB - $24 (€20);
• 3GB - $58 (€48);
• 5GB - $79 (€65);
• 10GB - $155 (€130);
• 25GB - $250 (€210).

The data will remain valid forever as long as you refill your balance at least once per year.

What are your options?

Traveling is an exciting experience, but it can be somewhat stressful when you arrive in a new place and start looking for the best connectivity service the moment when you step off the plane. That’s why it’s smart to do some homework in advance and select an international plan that will let you use your phone while you’re abroad. 

When selecting your plan, make sure that you pick the best option for your trip. Will you need to make phone calls or send text messages when you are on vacation? What about Internet connectivity? How much data will you need on your trip? The choice of the best international plan depends on the way you answer these questions.

Let’s do some math. Stats show that an average user consumes 300MB of data per day during travel. Taking into account that an average trip lasts for 10 days, a user needs about 3GB of data to stay connected abroad. Here’s how much a 10-day trip will cost you with the providers reviewed in this article: