Helloooo out there!
I was wondering if anyone has found a relatively cheap way to get a cell phone that works for calls from the EU to the US and visa versa. I know that the international calling cards are cheap but my Verizon phone won't work overseas. Any ideas?
Thanks!
T-Mobile is my server and I have used my phone all over the world (or nearly).
I suggest going to mobal.com - you can buy an international cell phone for $49 and then you only pay when you use it. It's very easy and convenient to use.
Kathy, I bought a cell phone from Telestial.com, and I was happy with it. You might also talk to Verizon -- I understand they will send you a phone to use overseas. Which deal is best for you depends on how frequently you will use the phone and whether you will be making local calls or overseas calls.
Thanks! I tried mobal - the overseas calls are $2.95. I was hoping for cheaper intl. calls.
I'll try the others.
Anyone know what a Sims card is?
Kathy,
A SIM card is a Subscriber Identity Module, which are used in GSM phones. These contain the subscribers account information as well as the phone number. Your Verizon phone uses CDMA technology, and therefore won't have a SIM card.
There's no "relatively cheap" way to make calls from Europe to the U.S. The rates seem to be close, regardless of which cell network is used. My cell network charges $1/minute for calls in country and $2/minute for calls back to North America. Texts are 60¢ each.
Your easiest option would probably be to obtain the "travel phone" from Verizon, but try to limit voice calls. If you use text messaging, the costs should be quite manageable. However, be sure to review the roaming rates so that you're very clear on what your costs will be.
Happy travels!
Just got back from Spain & Morocco and i have Verizon too.....call Verizon...they have this plan called Global Traveller (or something like that) and they will send you a global phone to use. Now, depending on how long youre travelling it may or may not work for you... it only gives you 21 days of use, but i was onyl gone 2 weeks, so it worked out for me. You dont have to pay for the global phone (unless you lose or break it), you just pay for the minutes you use. Get the value plan too, it made my calls in Spain like .99 a minute and calls in Morocco like 2.00/minute. Hope this helps!
Kathy - are you the one going to Ireland for an extended period of time? If so then you don't want to use your cell phone for several months to call to the US. You need to download Skype onto your computer and use that (free) to call US. For cell phone use to call people within Ireland you can purchase a phone upon landing that has a Sim card that will work there. You don't need a plan, you just reload as you go.
I'm going to Ireland for 3 months and might stay longer if I get permission to remain and want to remain. There must be a cheaper way. What do business people do? I mainly need it so my Mom can call me in an emergency because I think we'll do our regular chatting via Skype and a web cam. Has anyone done those?
A poster in Tripadvisor has just posted that whilst in London this March they bought a basic pay-as-you-go mobile phone from the Carphone Warehouse for £4.95 and loaded it with £10 airtime. Calls to the US cost 4 pence per minute.
They have stores in Ireland so maybe you can get a similar deal.
You apparently misread the Mobal rates -- calls from Ireland to the US or Canada are $1.50, not $2.95. The $2.95 calls are those to countries other than the US and Canada from Ireland. Incoming calls and calls within Ireland are $1.25.
