cell phone options for 6-month stay in Germany

Thank you for your very quick and helpful responses to my question!

Kathleen, Since you're going to be there for an extended stay, this is one method you could use: 1.) Contact AT&T to find out if your current phone is a quad-band model (you may already know that information). 2.) Ask AT&T if your phone is unlocked and if not, if they'd be able to do that (probably a small charge). 3.) When you arrive in Germany, buy a PAYG SIM with one of the cell networks there. HelpLine members in Germany can help you choose the best one. Vodaphone seems to get good ratings, but I don't have any information on Telekom (formerly T-Mobile), E-Plus or O2. There are also quite a number of MVNO operators (they offer cell service but don't actually own a network - they contract with existing networks - a good example of an MVNO is Virgin Mobile in the U.S.). If your existing phone is a Smartphone, you'll have to address the issue of data access also. I don't know what's available for PAYG data plans in Germany. It's probably not practical to look at a monthly contract plan, as the shortest term is usually a year. I assume you've got the Schengen Visa question covered? Good luck and happy travels!

Every German cell phone plan I have seen requires at least a two year minimum contract. A pay-as-you-go phone would probably be your best option for local calls, but very expensive for calling back to the US. "We anticipate going to Germany for six-seven months," I assume your purpose for visiting is business and you already have your visa arranged? If not... look up "Schengen Zone" on Wikipedia.

Practice using a sim card at home by unlocking the phone and buying a prepaid sim from another company for 10$ before you go on your trip. This is a great way to not get traced if you need to hide something from your spouse. Just kidding. Basically, you swap out a tiny card which allows you to have different number with each card. I think this will be $10 well spent to feel confident that you can do it. Make sure you phone will work in germany, ie a gsm phone.

I'd buy a phone locally to use there. Pay as you go is the norm in Europe so you don't have to worry about contracts. Phones and minutes are cheap. You are roaming when you cross borders, but even then the rates aren't as outrageous as here. As far as I know, received calls (even from home) are always free. For calls home, Skype works well from your computer, smart phone or Ipod. You can set it up to call computer to computer for free and to call landlines for a couple of cents a minute.

In Germany we've got 4 mobile phone networks: Deutsche Telekom (in other countries known as T-Mobile), Vodafone, o2 and E-Plus. Also the quality and reach of the networks are in that order. Then we have so-called discounters who buy airtime on those four providers in bulk and resell at their own rates - which are usually lower than the official rates of the carriers. One of those is Lidl's Fonic. They operate in the o2 network, a good network, especially if you require reliable high-speed mobile data connections (e.g. for Skype). It's all prepaid but once you buy the starter-kit you must register your phone number against a name and existing street address. That's the law. So use your own name and the hotel's address (but without the name of the hotel or any "c/o"). All of those networks require this step. The online-form to fill out is in German only so you might have to ask some hotel staff or other friendly local to help you out. But that shouldn't be a problem. If your gateway to Germany is Frankfurt just let me know and I'll do it for you... Another good one is REWE's Ja! Mobil. It's harder not to find a REWE grocery store in any German town than to find one ;-). They operate in the best network, T-Mobile's. Their monthly data flat is €14.99... You can also buy such a package at any ALDI store BUT Aldi-Talk uses the rather weak E-Plus network.

Once again, thanks everyone for the incredibly helpful suggestions. I feel that I now have a number of really good options to choose from. I'm thinking at this point that I will go the route of purchasing something directly in Germany. Will figure it exactly when we get there. Thanks again! Happy travels!