I have an AT&T Cell Phone. AT&T tells me that I can get international minutes on my cell phone for the month that I am going to be in Italy for only $10.00 no contract req. With this plan I can send Audio test messages home to my family or I can call them at a cost per minute. The rep told me to just send text msgs and buy a prepaid phone card that I can use on any phone. Does anyone have any better ideas? I want my family to be able to reach me in case of emergency and viceversa. I also will need to call a few times while I am gone. Any suggestions for the best way? Christine
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Christine, you might want to do a search of the General forum or just look at a few pages worth of topics. Cell phone usage is a frequent subject. Having said that, the best course depends on what your calling needs are. Based on just wanting to be able to have your family reach you in emergencies and making only a few calls, I'd stick with AT&T. The cost per minute will be high, even if you do sign up for the International Calling plan, but it is the easiest solution. Sending text messages is also not particularly cheap if you send a lot of messages. Keep a tight rein on your usage, though, and it will work. How likely are you to get calls from folks back home that don't know you are away? If the answer is "very," you may want to set your phone to forward all calls to voicemail because otherwise you'll be charged for all those calls from the U.S., regardless of whether you answer them or not. If you reject the call, it still makes a trip overseas and then a trip back to AT&T's voicemail servers. I recommend getting some type of voicemail service that tries to transcribe voicemail messages and then sends a text or email or both of the transcription. That saves having to call in to check messages that don't necessitate a reply. Google voice does this, but there are other options. Other options: * Unlock phone (if it works in Europe) and get a local SIM * Unlock phone and use a travel phone SIM * Use device with wifi and make wifi calls
* Get phone car from convenience store and call over payphones The first two will let the folks back home call you. The last two obviously don't.