i use a blackberry pearl cell phone, and i purchased a sim card at the post office, at the vienna airport a few months ago. it never worked during my trip. i am making the same trip to vienna next month, and i really would like to have a working cell phone. can anyone explain what i should do next time? thank you...
Posted by
Reseda, CA, USA
196 posts
You have a couple of choices... You could use the international calling plan on t-mobile (free) or ATT (20$/mo for 6 months min.) By free I mean that calls are 1$ per minute and text messages are roughly .38. Look out for data charges as these can rack up quickly. Otherwise you can use an unlocked phone if the device is set up to work on the networks... i think it is 900/1800 mhz but as I remember most blackberrys are set up for this. If you go with this unlocked phone, you need to keep in mind that the sim you buy will expire after 90 days of no use. I personally use T-Mobile and I have enrolled in their free international plan. I haven't decided if I will sign up for their international email plan.... i think it is 10 bucks a month...
Good luck and have a great trip.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Robert,
I'm assuming that your Blackberry Pearl is with either AT&T or T-Mobile? The SIM card you purchased may not have worked, due to the fact that your phone is "locked".
The least complicated solution for your trip next month would be to use roaming with your home network (provided it's a GSM network). Be sure to check the rate structure so that you clearly understand what the costs will be. If you wish to use the other SIM card, you'll have to verify that your phone is unlocked.
Good luck!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Eli,
You can use roaming with your AT&T I-Phone. Check with AT&T regarding the costs. I believe you have the option of using an "international roaming" plan with AT&T, which provides slightly better rates. Contant them for details.
One caveat however - be VERY careful with data use of your I-Phone. I've heard of a couple of cases of people using their I-Phones for extensive web surfing and so on, and finding a $3K bill waiting for them when they got home! Again, check with AT&T so that you clearly understand what your costs will be.
I always use roaming with my home network, but use voice calls sparingly. I normally use text to keep in touch with family back home, as it's much less expensive. Be sure to let friends know that you'll be travelling, to avoid those annoying calls at 03:00 (also to minimize incoming calls, which are more expensive than in-country outgoing calls).
Good luck!
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Ken is right.. if your phone is "locked" your phone is useless overseas, even if the frequency is fine.
Getting a sim in Europe is the easiest part. Even getting a phone in Europe is easy.. its no different than going to a 7-11 over here and getting the prepaid phone.
My last trip to London I walked into a Mega Mobile Phone store, and for 39 pounds (so $80?) I got myself a prepaid cell phone with 10 pounds of talk time.
This time I am heading back in June and I got my husband a phone thru raileurope. I think the web site is www.raileurope.ekit.com/mobile
I got a pay as you go phone for $39, and all incoming calls in France, UK, and Spain is free.
There should be no reason why anyone is unable to get a phone for a European trip. Very easy and not that expensive.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
151 posts
If you haven't already done this, contact your cell phone provider and request that they "unlock" your phone. You may also want to ask that they turn on international service. These are two separate requests - unlocking allows you to put in a new sim card (Your phone number will change and you may lose all the information you have put in your phone, so have your contact info somewhere other than in your phone). The international service gives you the option to use your phone at your provider's international rates, without purchasing a new sim card. We had to do this with AT&T, so other providers may be the same. Good luck!