In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first two-way transatlantic transmission, successfully exchanging Morse code messages between stations in Brant Rock, Massachusetts to Machrihanish in Scotland.

He went on to become the first person to send a short radio broadcast that featured him playing O Holy Night on the violin, followed by a reading from the bible.

We have come a long way since these early days of communication and the pioneers of this early technology would struggle to comprehend just how far things have advanced since the end of the last century.

The digital revolution has made communication possible regardless of where you are in the world and with all the options available, you need to have a good excuse for not keeping in touch with friends and family if you happen to be out of the country.

Whether you've booked a last-minute cheap flight for a week in the sun or maybe you've taken the leap and gone for a round the world ticket, the chances are you will be leaving friends and family behind who appreciate being kept informed on how you're getting on.

If you're away for a short holiday, a quick phone call home and a postcard is probably all you need to concern yourself with, but if you're planning on staying away for an extended period, keeping loved ones reassured and friends updated becomes more of a priority.

What are the easiest and most cost-effective ways of keeping in contact with the ones you care for?

Mobile Phones - Nothing beats the convenience of using a mobile phone while you travel, but international roaming charges can be very expensive. Instead, consider purchasing a pay-as-you-go SIM card in the country you happen to be in. In doing so, you avoid all mobile roaming charges, incoming calls are free and you get to make outgoing calls at a local rate. Before you do this, it's important to make sure that your phone is unlocked, so it can use the new SIM card.

Internet - Most hotels and guest-houses provide internet access and you will rarely find a shortage of internet cafés, especially if travelling in South-East Asia. Most internet connections you find will be fast enough to take advantage of internet telephony (VoIP) and the majority will already have telephony software installed.

Skype is a popular choice - simply create an account, charge it with credit and you can then make outgoing calls to landlines and mobiles at extremely low rates. Calls are free if calling other Skype users.

Blogging - keeping an online diary is a simple way of jotting down thoughts, and uploading pictures. It's also a good way of keeping all your friends up to date with what you're been up to.

There are many blog host websites to choose from, but you're probably better off going with a host that specializes in travel blogs. There are a number that offer unlimited photo storage and most will even plot your travels on a map, so everyone can see exactly where you've been. Once you've set up your blog, it's just a simple matter of sending off one email to everyone you know, advising them of your blog address.

Technology has provided us with the means to communicate easily and cheaply with the world - Now is the time to take advantage of it.

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