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Preparing Your Technology for Rutgers International Travel

A practical IT checklist for Rutgers travelers preparing for international travel, with Rutgers-wide mobile guidance and Rutgers–Newark device support information.

Who this page is for: The Rutgers mobile phone guidance on this page applies university-wide. Laptop and tablet preparation guidance is specifically for Rutgers–Newark faculty and staff supported by Deskside Support Services (DSS). If you are outside Rutgers–Newark or are supported by another IT group, contact your department or local technology support team for device-preparation assistance.

Before You Travel

Use this page as a quick technology-preparation checklist before international Rutgers business travel. Mobile-service information applies across Rutgers. Device-preparation guidance is intended for Rutgers–Newark clients of Deskside Support Services.

This page summarizes IT-related steps only. University travel registration, export control, risk management, and other travel requirements remain governed by the authoritative Rutgers resources linked below.

Quick Checklist

  • Arrange international service for your Rutgers mobile phone.
  • Confirm Rutgers VPN is installed and working.
  • Confirm you can complete Rutgers two-step login while abroad.
  • Review Rutgers guidance before taking university devices or sensitive data abroad.
  • If you are a Rutgers–Newark DSS client, arrange a pre-travel device review before taking a Rutgers-owned laptop or tablet. Travelers supported elsewhere should contact their local IT team.

Important

Traveling internationally with Rutgers laptops, phones, tablets, software, or data may have export-control implications. Rutgers Research advises travelers to determine what devices and data they will bring and to remove sensitive or export-controlled data when applicable.

For questions involving restricted data, specialized equipment, sanctioned destinations, or research activity, consult Rutgers Export Control before travel.

1. Rutgers Mobile Phone Service

This section applies university-wide to Rutgers mobile service. RUWare/OIT mobile service must be arranged before international travel. The information below reflects the current Rutgers carrier instructions provided for AT&T and Verizon service.

Before you send the request: Email mobile@oit.rutgers.edu with the travel details below and include your budget officer and department head on the message. Requests for international service are processed during business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Requests received outside those hours are processed the next business day.

What to Include in the Request

  1. Travel start date and end date.
  2. Destination/location.
  3. Traveler's NetID and Rutgers cell phone number.
  4. Requested smartphone international plan option.
  5. Copy the traveler's budget officer and department head.

Email Mobile Services

Once You Are Abroad

  • Make sure Data Roaming is turned on under the phone's cellular settings.
  • Watch for confirmation that international service has been added. RUWare's carrier instructions state that confirmation is sent one business day before travel.
  • For carrier support while abroad, use the 24/7 international support number shown below.

Verizon

RUWare guidance

  • Custom Travel Pass for Business: Canada/Mexico: unlimited talk, text, and data at zero cost. Other international travel: $5.00 per day.
  • International Data Access, $82.04: AC II 4G Global; 400 Anytime minutes; unlimited email, data, and messaging.
  • Important Verizon Notes: The provided Rutgers instructions state that Verizon does not offer a cruise-ship option or mobile-hotspot options through this process.

24/7 Verizon International Support: 1-908-559-4899

AT&T

RUWare guidance

  • AT&T International Day Pass, $10/day: Unlimited talk, text, and data.
  • AT&T Passport 22GB, $100/month: 250 minutes (25¢/minute overage), unlimited text, and 22GB data.
  • AT&T Cruise Day Pass, $20/day: Unlimited* talk and text, plus 500MB of best-available-speed data per day, as described in the RUWare instructions.

24/7 AT&T Global Support: 314-925-6925

Mobile Service Request Template

Send to mobile@oit.rutgers.edu and copy the appropriate budget officer and department head.

Suggested request fields:

  • Travel Dates (Start)
  • Travel Dates (End)
  • Destination/Location
  • NetID
  • Cell Phone Number
  • Smartphone Plan Option

For billing questions, the RUWare instructions list OIT Billing at 732-743-2550.

2. Secure Rutgers Access While Traveling

Rutgers IT recommends preparing secure access before departure and limiting your exposure to unfamiliar networks and devices while traveling.

Before Departure

  • Install and test Rutgers VPN. Rutgers IT recommends VPN for secure remote access to university resources.
  • Confirm two-step login access. Make sure the authentication method you plan to use will be available while abroad.
  • Secure your devices. Use passwords/biometrics, current security updates, and the protections required for Rutgers-owned equipment.
  • Minimize local data. Rutgers Research recommends taking only the data and equipment actually needed for the trip.

While Abroad

  • Avoid public Wi-Fi when possible. If you must use an unfamiliar network, use Rutgers VPN for Rutgers access.
  • Avoid public/shared computers in hotels, business centers, restaurants, and internet cafés for Rutgers or personal accounts.
  • Keep phones, laptops, tablets, and removable media physically secured and in your control.
  • Be alert for phishing, shoulder surfing, unexpected login prompts, and other attempts to obtain credentials.

Traveling with data or equipment? Rutgers Research states that devices, software, and data taken out of the United States are subject to U.S. export controls. Standard office devices may often qualify for an applicable license exception, but the conditions matter. Travelers with sensitive, controlled, confidential, specialized, or research-related data/equipment should review Export Control guidance before departure.

3. Laptop & Tablet Preparation

If you are a Rutgers–Newark faculty or staff member supported by Deskside Support Services and are taking a Rutgers-owned laptop or tablet abroad, contact DSS before departure so the device can be reviewed and prepared for travel. Travelers supported by another Rutgers IT group should contact that group for equivalent assistance.

Rutgers–Newark DSS Clients. Plan ahead: Deskside Support will review Rutgers-owned laptops and tablets before international travel to help make sure the device is working properly, current, secure, and ready to connect to the Rutgers services the traveler expects to use.

What Deskside Support Will Check

  • Device condition. The team will make sure the laptop or tablet and its basic hardware are working properly, including Wi-Fi, battery, power adapter, camera, microphone, speakers, and commonly used ports.
  • Updates and security. Required operating system updates and Rutgers security protections will be checked to make sure they are current and functioning properly.
  • Rutgers connectivity. The team will test Rutgers VPN, NetID authentication, and two-step login before departure.
  • Required software. Approved applications needed for the trip will be checked to make sure they are installed, licensed, updated, and able to launch successfully.
  • Storage and synchronization. The team can help confirm there is adequate storage space and that approved Rutgers cloud storage is synchronized before travel.
  • Final readiness review. Applicable Rutgers device management and compliance checks will be completed before the device leaves campus.

What to Share with DSS Before Your Trip

  • Travel dates and destination or destinations.
  • Which Rutgers-owned laptop or tablet will be taken.
  • Which Rutgers systems, applications, files, or departmental software will be needed during the trip.
  • Whether any work must be completed without an internet connection.

DSS prepares and validates the device from an IT support perspective. Travelers remain responsible for reviewing the applicable Rutgers travel, Research Security, and Export Control requirements linked below.

Contact Deskside Support

Duo and Two-Step Login for Travel

Before departure, confirm that Duo Mobile works on the phone you will take with you. Your normal Rutgers login can use Verified Duo Push when the phone has an internet connection.

Also make sure you know how to generate a Duo passcode in the Duo Mobile app. A passcode can be useful when cellular service or internet access is unavailable.

Consider a hardware token as an additional backup. Rutgers supports hardware tokens for two-step login, which can be useful if a traveler cannot use their phone. Faculty and staff can request a Security Hardware Token through the Rutgers University Software Portal.

View Rutgers hardware token information

Common Questions

Quick answers for travelers, administrative assistants, and support staff helping someone prepare for an international trip.

When should I request international service for my Rutgers mobile phone?

Submit the request before departure and allow time for processing. RUWare's instructions state that requests are processed during business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and that confirmation of added service is provided one business day before travel.

Who needs to be included on the mobile-service request?

Send the request to mobile@oit.rutgers.edu and copy the traveler's budget officer and department head. The RUWare instructions state that a request cannot be processed without those approvals.

Should I turn on data roaming?

Yes, after the appropriate international service has been added. Both RUWare carrier instructions tell travelers to turn on Data Roaming under the phone's cellular settings while abroad.

Can I take my Rutgers laptop or phone to any country?

Do not assume that every device, type of data, or destination is treated the same. Rutgers Research advises travelers to review export-control requirements, especially when traveling with sensitive data, specialized equipment, controlled technology, or to sanctioned destinations.

What should I do if I need help before I leave?

For Rutgers mobile-service questions, contact OIT Mobile Services. Rutgers–Newark faculty and staff supported by DSS can contact Deskside Support for laptop or tablet preparation. Travelers supported by another Rutgers IT group should contact their local technology team for device-preparation assistance.

Authoritative Rutgers Resources

This page is intended as a quick IT guide for Rutgers travelers. Use the university resources below for official policy, Research Security, training, international travel, cybersecurity, and Export Control requirements. Local device-preparation support may vary by campus or department.

University Guidance

IT Contacts

For Rutgers Mobile Service: Rutgers Mobile Services. Use for international service requests and mobile plan questions. mobile@oit.rutgers.edu

For Mobile Billing Questions: OIT Billing. Use for billing questions related to Rutgers mobile service. 732-743-2550

For Rutgers–Newark General IT Help: Rutgers–Newark IT Service Center. Use for general IT support and help routing a travel technology question. Hill Hall, Room 109. help@newark.rutgers.edu · 973-353-5083

For Rutgers–Newark Laptop or Tablet Preparation: Deskside Support Services. Rutgers–Newark faculty and staff supported by DSS can contact the team for pre-travel device preparation. dssupport@newark.rutgers.edu · 973-353-5086

If You Are Supported Outside Rutgers–Newark: Contact your department or local Rutgers IT support team for laptop or tablet preparation. The mobile service information on this page still applies university-wide.

Submit a Support Request: Rutgers IT Help Portal

Topics: Mobile Service · Secure Access · Laptop / Tablet · Travel Policy

Still need help?

Rutgers–Newark travelers can contact the IT Service Center for help routing international-travel technology questions. Travelers elsewhere at Rutgers should contact their local IT support team when device preparation is needed.

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