I'm looking at a used unlocked Blackberry for my trip(about the same price as a buying a throwaway in Europe). I'll buy a prepaid SIM card in London. The question is, would I be able to use the Blackberry's Internet browsing capabilities if I needed to? Would it be charged at the same rate as a phone call?
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Michael it depends on the cell company. I have a web based phone but since I didn't pay for the web feature on my SIM it does not give me access.
Many UK cell companies have varioue Pay as you Go SIM. Check out the different brands and see their price.
Vodafone, Orange and Tmobile have popular PAYG programs.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
You will need to check with the SIM card provider. They are different.
What I do on my US tmobile phone which now is unlocked and is a world phone is this: I signed up for a data plan which cost me $5.99 and I can connect to the internet anywhere in the world where tmobile has service. According to them the charge outside of US would be $.99 /KB , but it didn't happen. I used in Europe a lot and I didn't get charged a dime.If I want to make calls while in Europe I use a SIM card I purchased in Europe.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix, AZ, USA
22 posts
UPDATE
Forget the Blackberry. After my post, I remembered about my old Treo 600 that's collecting dust. Did a little web research, unlocked it, and voilá!
Regarding the web browsing, www.prepaidgsm.net was recomended by a couple of posters on Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall "Cell Phone Tips". I spent enough time there yesterday to give me a headache.:) Generally, it appears that web browsing gets quite expensive once you're out of the country your SIM card is programmed for. T-Mobile might be a decent way to go. (Thanks, Bea.)