Smartphones abroad: What to know before you go

I am looking to study abroad in the near future and found this article very interesting on how phone companies work once you've left U.S. boarders.

(CNN) -- Sarah Evans was in Canada for just 18 hours in May but incurred a $700 phone bill in her limited time there.

"I sent four text messages, was on the phone for 20 minutes and used the wireless aircard," the Elgin, Illinois, resident said. "I opened my bill and all the blood drained from my face."

Her experience is not unusual. Though Evans eventually got that money credited back to her account, stories about outrageous phone bills are common enough to make roving mobile customers think twice. Experts say the most important thing travelers can do to prevent this from happening is take precautions before the trip.
If you don't, companies can take advantage of you, said Christopher Elliott, a consumer travel advocate...

Read it all here: CNN