Cell phone plan/Sim card in Netherlands

Gale, I'd suggest checking the web sites for the cell networks in the Netherlands. Have a look at * global-travel.mobi/mobile-operators.php?country=NL * for a list of the network operators (cut & paste the links inside the asterisks). I haven't checked but I suspect the rates will be very competitive between networks. I'm sure when your Son arrives there, other students and staff members will be able to provide excellent information in the different networks. One important point to mention is that your Son should MAKE SURE that the phone he has is in fact a quad-band model. Don't assume that because it's a GSM phone that it can be "used globally". I encountered some young travellers from the U.S. in Italy last year that were quite puzzled on why their "GSM phone" didn't work in Europe. When I checked the settings, I found that while is was a GSM phone, it was a dual-band model and was ONLY equipped with the two North American frequencies. Finally, check the Charger for the phone to ensure it's designed for "world operation". Cheers!

Thanks Ken, all good points. I checked with AT&T since that's the cell phone he's borrowing and they seemed to think this model would work, although I think it's dual band, not quad. He does have the adaptor plug for the charger. I guess there are many sim cards available and all are part of different companies with different price plans, that's why I was asking if anyone already knew which was a good company to consider. I'll check the URL you posted. Thanks again!

Gale, if your suspicion is correct and the phone is in fact a dual-band, it WON'T WORK in Europe! That needs to be verified if he intends to travel with it! Also, you indicated that he has the Plug Adaptor, but you didn't indicate whether he has actually checked the Charger to ensure that it's designed for operation on 220 VAC electrical systems. Cheers!

How long will he be staying in the Netherlands, and how important is making calls when outside the Netherlands (I assume he will be visiting other countries as well, while studying in Maastricht). Most contracts are for one or two years, and will either include a phone or will be 'sim-only' deals. Prepaid sims can be picked up in department stores, supermarkets or specialized phone stores, again with or without phone. Receiving calls or texts in the Netherlands will usually be free of charge, receiving calls while outside the Netherlands will be charged. Be sure to check that you will get what you need. Rates between providers do not vary a lot, but there are a lot of package deals available, each with its own merits and costs. The largest providers are probably KPN and Vodafone, but there are several other providers with equally good coverage.

He'll be in Maastricht for 4.5 months, until end of December. I guess he needs to see if the AT&T phone he has will work there and we're thinking he should get a sims card for it. We just didn't know which place or company has the best plan for cost per minute and free incoming calls or texts. He'll do some traveling outside of the Netherlands but probably won't use the phone much then, just for weekend trips. Just good to have a phone while there and have contact availability for the other students he meets!

If he is not going to make a lot of phone calls, I would suggest prepaid. The Phone House (independent reseller with a store in Maastricht) probably has the best choice in providers, some providers (e.g. KPN) also have their own store in Maastricht. For most (but not all) prepaid sims airtime credit can be purchased in supermarkets and department stores. You pay at the counter and get a receipt that includes a code. Enter the code on your phone and you can call again. Other providers will only let you buy credit via internet. I don't know about credit card acceptability with those providers, so be sure to check up front.