I'm not much of a cell phone user here in the U.S. In fact, I don't even have a monthly plan (I use pre-paid minutes), so a lot of the discussion in various parts of this site have gone over my head. I'll be travelling in Italy and France this year. If I bought myself an unlocked quad-band cellphone here, would I only have to get country-specific SIM cards once I'm in Europe? Is obtaining and installing the card and then using the phone as easy as it would seem to be based on my reading of this article?:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/cell-phone-europe.htm Thanks for your patience one and all.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32322 posts
barry, To answer some of your questions.... > Yes, if you bought a quad-band, unlocked GSM phone here from E-Bay (or whatever), it will work in Europe. One option would certainly be to buy a PAYG SIM card in the first country you visit. It will provide the lowest rates when making calls in that country, but the rates will be slightly higher when travelling in other countries (since you'll be roaming). While you could purchase another SIM in the second country you visit, keep in mind that the number will change so if you anticipate getting calls from anyone, that could be a concern. Installing the SIM card is very easy. Usually just one clip to release the back, lift out the battery and place the SIM in the small holder. Replace the battery and back, and switch the phone "on". I can't provide much information on using the phone. If buying in Frannce or Italy, the Menus may be in the local language so you might want to visit a shop so they can help you set the phone up. You could also buy the unlocked phone and then use a SIM from one of the "travel phone" firms such as Cellular Abroad, Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Telestial or Mobal. These often have a U.K. number and provide consistent rates when roaming through multiple countries, with billing on a post-paid basis (calls charged to a credit card). That's the method I use, as I like to have a working phone as soon as I step off the plane, and can't be bothered wandering about to find a shop. Some countries have Vending machines in the Airports that dispense SIM cards. I've seen them in the U.K. but not sure how prevalent they are in other countries. Happy travels!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Yes, if the phone is unlocked and quad band, you can just buy a SIM card for it when you get where you are going. They work just like your PAYG phone here. You can get more minutes at many locations (or via the phone, depending on the company).
Posted by
OP
new york
43 posts
Thanks. Are there any pitfalls to be on the lookout for?
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I'd probably opt for two prepaid sim cards that you can add value to as you go. It really depends how long you will be in each country and how much calling you plan to do. Sim cards are cheap, the calls are cheapest with a local number (bought in the country you are in), you're roaming when you go to a different country (but rates aren't as bad as roaming with an American phone). The trade-off, as Ken mentioned, incoming calls are free but each sim card will give you a different phone number.
Posted by
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA
45 posts
Barry: That is exactly what I did on my recent trip to Germany. I took my old quad band cell phone, unlocked it and purchased a PAYG sim card at a drug store in Berlin. I think it was 10 euros and included 10 euros of time, about 100 minutes. We did not use all the available time on our three week trip. If I did it again I would buy the sim card at a cell phone store or some place where they could help me activate it. All the directions were in German and I needed to get a student to help me. If all you want is a phone to make reservations, etc. without the need for data transmission, this is probably the cheapest way to go. Have a great trip.