Sprint Cell Phone

Yep, the Tour works as does the Blackberry 8830. Sprint has about a dozen phones that are GSM compatible.

Linda: If you’re interested in leasing a GSM phone through Sprint just for your trip, try them again using this info: Traveling Internationally with wireless service: 1-888-226-7212, option 2. As has already been mentioned, their rates aren’t the best.

Linda,

Your Sprint Cell phone won't work in Europe, as the technology used by Sprint is not compatible with the GSM system used in Europe. Therefore, you won't be able to check your voice mail.

If you need a Cell phone for travel, you might consider rental or purchase of a GSM phone. If you need further information, post another note.

Sprint has two networks: CDMA for Sprint and iDEN for Nextel, and, as Ken points out, devices for both of their platforms will not work with the global-standard, GSM. Sprint does sell and lease GSM devices, and they have a limited lineup of dual-mode phones (GSM and CDMA). Calling customer service is probably pointless, because you’ll have a tough time finding someone knowledgeable enough to help you with this (their customer service is the worst in the industry). Call a retail store in your area, and see if they can help. Good luck.

I want to have my Sprint cell phone to use when I return to the States. Am I understanding it right that if I keep it off during the time in Europe, I will not be charged for incoming calls because the phone does not work in Europe.

Correct. You won’t be charged for calls, because nobody can call you whether it's on or off. You won’t be on a network, so you cannot roam, make/receive calls, receive/check voicemail messages & e-mail, or access the internet. Of course, you will still have your monthly recurring charges whether or not you use your phone (just like you would here in the U.S.).

Calls made to your number will go to your voicemail, but you will not be charged, nor will you be able to check it.

Right...same with e-mail. You'll pick up voicemail and e-mail sent to you while you were in Europe as soon as you turn your phone back on in the U.S. and hit the network.

I have a Blackberry Tour through Sprint. It does work overseas, although Sprints charges do seem high.

The Blackberry Tour is "unlocked" and you can use another SIM card in the phone.

This is the only phone through Sprint with the capability, at least it was 4 months ago when I got it. I wasn't going to re-up with Sprint if I could not get an international capable phone.