Before you buy
Countries with internet restrictions: what to expect and what to prepare
Some services don't work, others come and go, and the rules change. How to find out beforehand, what to prepare, and what not to promise yourself.
Rubén Ortega 6 min Photo by farfar on Unsplash In several countries around the world, part of the internet doesn't work the way it does at home: some services are blocked, some apps won't load and, at certain moments, there are temporary outages. It's a fact about the destination, like the weather, and you prepare for it the same way.
The three kinds of restriction
| Kind | What it means |
|---|---|
| Services permanently blocked | Certain social networks or search engines won't load |
| App calling limited | Messaging works and the call button doesn't |
| Temporary outages | Restrictions imposed for a time in specific situations |
The second kind is the most common and the most confusing, because the chat works and you assume everything is fine until you try to call.
What not to believe
That a foreign card gets around all of it. When the restriction is applied by the country's network, your traffic goes out over that network whichever line you're carrying. There are technical nuances case by case, but as a sales promise it's false.
How to prepare
- Find out before you travel which services work there, from up-to-date sources.
- Agree an alternative way of getting in touch with home that does work.
- Download maps, a translator and your documents, so you don't depend on services that may not load.
- Keep the important numbers in your contacts: an ordinary call works where an app call doesn't.
- And check the legal position of any tools you plan to use, because in some countries their use is regulated.
That last point is a serious one: in some places it's a grey area and in others there are specific rules. Finding out is part of preparing the trip.
No card gets around a restriction imposed by the country's network. Anyone promising otherwise is selling you something.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries restrict the internet?
Several apply permanent blocks on certain services, limits on app calling or temporary outages. It's worth looking up your specific destination before you travel.
Does a foreign eSIM get around the restrictions?
Not as a promise: when the restriction is applied by the country's network, your traffic goes out over that network on any line.
How do I talk to home if app calls don't work?
With messages and voice notes, which usually do work, or with an ordinary call on your own line depending on your plan.
What should I prepare before I go?
Maps, a translator and documents downloaded, an agreed way of contacting home, and the important numbers in your contacts.
