AT&T cellphone in Scotland

We noticed that almost everyone in Scotland has a cell phone. They must be issued them at birth. The U.S. is behind much of the world when it comes to cell phone coverage so you can't judge Scotland by what you see here. As for specific information I can't help you. We use an iPod Touch and stay in communication using email.

I found coverage very good last fall, although it does fade away in the boonies. If your phone doesn't work, swap in a SIM from a UK carrier and buy a month's worth of pay-as-you-go. It'll very likely be much cheaper than what ATT wants. Shops that sell SIM's are everywhere.

I used my iPhone in Scotland with no problem. It picked Orange and other carriers. I did not do data except with wifi. It was very handy to have it for catching up with friends and dealing with B&B's etc. Pam

In order to use a local SIM card, as j.c. suggested, your phone would have to be unlocked to allow it. SIM card places might be everywhere, but they are no good if your phone is locked to AT&T.

I used AT&T and discovered my data phone didn't work too well in the rural areas (unless there was WiFi available). My friend read a blog somewhere to take a phone with an exterior antenna (remember those?) She had access no matter where we went. That little antenna did the trick. If you Google: "Slow Travel - Cell Phones in Europe", it will be the first listing after the advertisements. It will give you the nuts and bolts of cell phone use.

Be sure and sign up for one of AT&T's international plans. Otherwise you could get socked with a huge bill when you get home, especially if you are taking an Android phone.

Nancy is right, but there are lots of cell phone shops in the U.K. that claim to unlock phones. I've bought unlock codes off the Internet before, so I know it is possible to get a phone unlocked by other than your phone company. Still, if you can, you'll want to get this done before you go, but only if you don't plan on using your AT&T number from home.

I used mine and it worked most of the time, but with AT&T you can get a plan for 50 outgoing texts for $5 and no charge on the incoming texts. Just be sure to shut your data off or you will be charged $$$$. You can connect in a wifi zone, but otherwise it should be off. You can also get an internation calling plan for a month that will give you cheaper minutes, but unless you need to talk, the texting works great.

My iPhone had no problem picking up reception, except in rural areas. I kept data roaming turned off and used skype to make calls, send texts and access the Internet when we had wifi.