NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
For Immediate Release:                                               News Media Contact:
June 21, 2010                                                               Dan Rumelt at 202-418-7512
 E-mail: Dan.Rumelt@fcc.gov
FCC ANNOUNCES WIRELESS WORLD TRAVEL WEEK
FCC and Wireless Providers Offer Money-Saving Calling Tips for Foreign Travel
Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Task Force 
has designated the week of June 21 as Wireless World Travel Week to coincide with the 
beginning of summer and a busy travel season.  Americans make over 60 million international 
trips each year, and many take their mobile phones with them. Throughout the week, the FCC 
and wireless companies will offer tips to help travelers save money on international wireless use.
“International calling can be complicated and confusing, so we’re devoting a whole week 
to help consumers become well informed,” says Joel Gurin, Chief of the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC.  “With awareness, information, and help from their 
wireless provider, consumers can avoid billing surprises when they return from their travels.”
Wireless World Travel Week will include daily tips on international calling from the 
FCC’s “Savvy Traveler” blog posts and Twitter page, a video, and a Tip Sheet for consumers.  
“People can become savvy travelers before their trips overseas by checking with their 
wireless providers to learn about international calling and data fees for their mobile phone plans.  
A little preparation and education can save consumers a bundle,” advises Mindel De La Torre, 
Chief of the FCC's International Bureau.
The initiative will focus on many consumer tips during the week.  
oConsumers should check with their wireless providers.  Find out about the options and 
costs for using wireless phones outside of the US before traveling. Consumers should 
remember to turn off features such as automatic e-mail updates when taking wireless 
phones abroad. 
oLook for alternatives to using your regular mobile phone and plan.  Travelers should 
look into alternative calling options before leaving the US.  It could be more affordable to 
rent a mobile phone, buy a SIM card for use in countries visited, or use calling cards 
when making calls from other countries. 
oInternet calling is a cheap (sometimes free) way of making calls.  Calling over the 
Internet with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a good option where there is access 
to high-speed Internet or a Wi-Fi hotspot. VoIP calls are cheaper than traditional calls but 
require a computer, a compatible smartphone, or a special VoIP phone when outside of 
the US (consumers should be aware of 911 capabilities and limitations of any VoIP 
phone before making a decision to purchase it).  Also, while VoIP calls can be made from 
a wireless Wi-Fi hotspot, it’s important to make sure that the phone does not 
automatically connect to an international mobile network, which can be more expensive 
to access than the Wi-Fi hotspot.
oWorld phones are a good choice for frequent travelers.  Frequent international travelers 
should look into different plans and providers of world phones, which are less expensive 
to use internationally than standard wireless phones. 
The Wireless World Travel Week is meant to offer consumers helpful information for their 
trips abroad.  Each day of the week will address a different topic of concern, as outlined below:
Wireless World Travel Week Schedule
Monday: Wireless World Travel Week Kick-off
Tuesday: Getting Ready for an International Trip
Wednesday: Calling Options from Overseas (Wireless and Landlines)
Thursday: VoIP – Calling Over the Internet
Friday: Returning Home
For more information, the Task Force has published a tip sheet entitled Wireless World 
Travel Made Simple, available for international travelers at www.fcc.gov/worldtravel. The tip 
sheet includes information for major wireless providers.  Consumers can also view the “Savvy 
Traveler” blog posts at www.fcc.gov/consumers for the “Do’s and Don’ts” of International 
Calling, the FCC’s Twitter page at www.twitter.com/fcc and a video at 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tF54w9lHJ8.
- FCC -