international cell phone usage

[mtnflyer]

going to be doing lots of international flying with the new job and was just wondering what most guys use on the road for a phone. Is it worth it to shell out for a phone I can use in most countries, or is a calling card a better deal. Some people have been telling me about removable sim cards in certain phones that you can pick up in each country you visit. Any help or insight would be appreciated on what the pros with experience use! Thanks

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

Unlike the Europeans, who seem to get some good deals on international usage, Americans get raped. It is very expensive to use American phones overseas. If you're going to do it, I'd suggest getting yourself a multi-band GSM phone and going the sim card route... much cheaper that way. The key is your phone has to be unlocked to accept the different sim cards. Some, I think T-mobile is an example, will unlock it if you ask. Others, I think AT&T is an example, will refuse to do this for you. There are people out there who sell programs to unlock your phone, at your risk, but that is just another expense and hassle. Another thing to consider is where you'll spend your time. Some countries use different systems, Japan and Korea are two that come to mind, and your phone isn't going to work there no matter what. Honestly, unless you really need to be mobile, I'd just go the calling card route. Cheaper and a whole lot less hassle. Hope this helps a little.

cc

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Intl useage is not too bad as long as you dont yap too long.

approx .99/min in Europe up to $4/min in places like Russia...best bet is to use it to be reached if needed, then call back on a calling card if you are going to talk very long..

the sim card thing is good if you are going to be calling in country. I have a UK one that was maybe 10 pounds (?)..they sell them all over and just pop them in your UNLOCKED phone.

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

T-Mobile

I've used T-mobile all over the world, they have coverage everywhere except: Japan, Korea, and maybe one or two other countries. The rates vary from region to region, but if you find that you are going to be in a country for a while, I suggest that you buy a prepaid gsm card, make sure that you have at least an unlocked tri-band gsm phone.

 

[Whale Rider]

Why worry and waste your $$$$ on cell phones???? Just use Skype.com, its 3 cents a minute to call Love ones in the states from any where you have an internet connection, and free computer to computer. Lots of hotels and coffee cafe's have free high-speed. If you're trying to save $$$$ and don't mind a little hassle, this is the way to go when you're international.

 

[tom_rob]

I have to go with Whale on this one. I was recently in Germany and had SKYPE loaded on my Dell PDA. I just sat in a cofee shop, or hotel (anywhere that had WIFI) and had a $0.03 connection to call anyone in the US. Worked excellent!

Tom

EDIT: And if you really want to cover your bases, you can get smart phones that run off of GSM SIM cards, and also run skype. So if you near a WIFI hotspot go with the SKYPE (talk on your phone just like normal, but VOIP). If your out on the countryside, make sure you have your country sim with you and use that.
Just some ways that have worked well (cheap) for me.

Tom

 

[OrcasC180]

If you want to be reachable by your family or friends no matter where you are in the world, a GSM phone is really the only way to go. Country-specific sim cards are cheap, but your phone number for inbound calls is different for each sim card you have. With GSM services from AT&T Wireless (now Cingular -- T-Mobile works) and a multi-band phone, my family can reach me at the same number whether I'm in the U.S., China, Europe or even Japan (by renting a 3G handset that accepts my GSM sim card from NTT Docomo -- 4th floor of Narita across from Starbucks if you need to know). It's more expensive, but the simplicity is worth the cost.

-OrcasC180