Texting in Italy, France? Plans? $? Hows?

Leslye, I'm not thoroughly familiar with LG products, but it appears the phones you're using are a quad-band phone, so should work in Europe (you may have to manually do a "network search" when you arrive). As those appear to be a Smart phone, the MOST important thing to mention is that it would be a good idea to disable the data roaming so that you don't incur HUGE charges! As an example, an iPhone user recently returned from a 2.5 week trip abroad, and found a $37,000 bill waiting in the mailbox. Using "airplane mode" is one solution, however that may also block Wi-Fi use (if the phone is equipped with that). You'll have to check with AT&T or the owner's manual. You won't be able to use your phones with "pre-paid SIM cards" unless they're unlocked. If the phones are unlocked, you'll have a wider variety of options. If you're only anticipating sending a small number of messages, the least complicated solution would be to simply use roaming with AT&T, perhaps with one of the plans they offer (which I believe can be cancelled when you return home). For example, the Global Messaging 50 Package at $10 per month allows 50 sent messages, with overage at 40¢ per message. In many cases, received messages are free (but you'd have to confirm that). There are also World Traveler plans at $5.99 per month which provide reduced rate for voice calls (both incoming and outgoing). For the countries you're visiting, the cost will be 99¢ per minute. Another important point is that if you use roaming with your AT&T number, you may receive calls at varying hours from people who don't know that you're out of the country, or don't bother to check the time difference. When will this trip be taking place? Good luck and happy travels!

Thanks Ken for the reply, but those are the things I already knew - and I haven't gotten a straight answer about the received texts. Looking over the boards, I've seen a lot of discussion about calls & data, but not much about text.
Nik & I can run up texts pretty fast; I home-school him & we are used to working out what's coming up next, where we are & where we're going that way. We're spoiled by our unlimited family text plan. He's a photographer & tends to get distracted by the next best photo op, so I need to keep tabs on him, especially in another country! He processes the visual of a text much better than voice. On the ATT plan, it actually costs about the same for a text exchange or a call. I was wondering how it would work if I decide I don't want to be held hostage by ATT. 50 texts won't last a month for us. Plus, they don't let you buy more at that rate. At 50 cents per each additional, it'll add up. I don't care about having a phone to call home; I can always set my mobile # to roll over to voicemail or just leave a message to call my hubby. Seems to me there must be a cheaper way. Any ideas?

Leslye, Unless your phones are "unlocked", your only option appears to be AT&T. Should you decide to unlock your phones, you can either: > Buy PAYG SIMs in Europe (cheapest rates in the country of purchase, but may be higher in other countries - will require topping-up when time is depleted) > Buy SIMs from one of the "travel phone" firms (may be slightly more expensive than local SIMs but have consistent rates in most countries - often use a post paid system, with calls charged to a credit card). It may be possible to obtain good rates for texting with the networks in France or Italy, but unfortunately my language skills are limited so I can't confirm that from their websites. I have no information on unlocking methods for LG phones. You should be able to find details on the net or check with AT&T (they might be a bit "reluctant" to provide much information). Good luck!

Leslye, I don't think ATT is likely to give out info on how to unlock your phones (you'll have to search online) and also, using ATT for texting each other will turn into a very expensive endeavour after you use those 50 outgoing texts. My suggestion would be to go to TIM (one of Italy's phone serviceproviders, or a different one) and either buy a phone + sim, or just a sim card if your phone is unlocked. This will provide you with the best calling and texting rates while you are in Italy (though you will need to purchase a new sim, or roam on TIM if it will work, while you are in France. Most Italians use PAYG services instead of contracts like we do in the US because even in a long term use it is cheaper. Texting between other TIM customers (meaning you and your son) won't be very expensive.

This of course depends on how long you'll be in Italy. If it's 3 days, ATT is more convenient since it's already set up. But if it's longer and you think you will send more than 30 texts, consider getting an Italian sim.

This of course depends on how long you'll be in Italy. If it's 3 days, ATT is more convenient since it's already set up. But if it's longer and you think you will send more than the 50 texts from the plan, consider getting an Italian sim.

Thanks guys! We'll be in Italy for 23 days and Paris for 8. Sounds like my best bet is to unlock our phones (plenty of places on the web for that!) and get TIM chips. Of course, I have to factor in that cost too - PAYG = pre-pay?

Yes, pay as you go = prepaid. AT&T will give you the unlocking codes if you've been a customer for a while. Tell them you are going out of the country and they should understand. That'll save you $20 or so per phone. You can go to one of the many phone-centric web sites to see if you phone has the necessary radio bands to work in Europe. I like the layout that phonescoop.com uses. At the first page, type your phone model in the search box. For texting and calls, what you want to see is that your phone has GSM 900 / 1800. In the U.S., we use 850 / 1900. (3G frequencies used for data (and calls, too) are usually different.) (By-the-way, your phone looks like it will work.) I'm not that familiar with AT&T's international text options, but with T-Mobile, all incoming messages are counted against whatever message plan, if any, you have. We have unlimited messaging, so all we'll pay for are outgoing messages and those are only about $0.40 per. Keep your texting down to essentials and that should work. In a pinch, you could call each other. $1.30 a minute is a crazy rate, but if I wanted to communicate with my child and texting didn't work, it would be well worth it. As Ken cautioned, however, be sure that your phone is not set to use any data (texts aren't data) or you may get a heart attack-inducing bill when you get home.

Leslie, You can buy the "unlock" code on EBAY for $1. It is safe. You pay for it, then the seller sends you a link. You click on it, enter your phone's info (serial number or something like that) and that is it. Also, T-Mobile, unlocks phones if you explain you are traveling abroad and you want to take your phone, and insert a different card. Obviosuly that is for T-MOBILE costumers. Maybe AT&T does the same. I think you will save more if you unlock your phone, buy a sim there. That is my plan at least.

Some phones are easier to unlock than others, and therefore cheaper than others, but I've never seen them for less than about $10. Most often it runs around $20. You used to be able to get the unlock code emailed to you on ebay, but for some reason ebay no longer permits that. They require the seller to mail you the code. Consequently, I don't buy unlocking codes off ebay any longer. You can do a google search and find lots of vendors selling the codes, though.

Don't pay to unlock your phone. Just call AT&T and they will give you the code. I did that before my trip to Italy last fall. For what it's worth, I am under contract with them. I bought a chip when I arrived in Rome. Unfortunately, as soon as I left Italy that chip no longer worked. I had to buy another one in Germany. For my trip next fall (Spain/France) I will make sure I have a chip that works in multiple countries.