Travel Technology - First trip abroad, using Sidekick II

I just called T-Mobile and was told that I can use my Sidekick II when I go to France at the end of the month without changing my SIM card or anything! They added roaming for free and explained the charges for when I'm in Paris, but they said that's it. That's all I have to do.

Basically, I'll probably keep my phone off until I need to make my two daily phone calls, one to check on my cats and one to check on my dad. At 99 cents per minute, I expect to pay a total of around $20 for the week in Paris, just for my peace of mind. If people need to call me, they can call my regular number, using the area code, and if the phone's off when they do call, I won't incur the charges for them to call me.

I think what's worrying me, though, is that this seems almost too simple. Several months ago, when we booked this particular trip, I called T-Mobile and I vaguely recall the guy saying I needed a new SIM card to go to Europe.

Does anyone know if this will really work with my regular SIM card, or do I need something else?

GG

Keep one thing in mind; as soon as you turn the phone on you'll get reconnected to the Sidekick service and it'll start downloading messages. Data roaming can be pretty expensive.

Also; turn off ALL your call forwarding settings, when you are abroad and someone calls your number YOU pay a roaming fee for them getting your voicemail, even if your phone is off... So your remark about not incurring charges when they call you is wrong if you have voicemail on.

There should be no need for a new simcard.

Personally I'd find a cheaper way to call the US, like using Skype.

It seems simple, and it is simple. This is the way GSM roaming has been for over a decade. I was making calls abroad on my GSM cellphone as early as 1994...

It will work fine. As long as International Roaming is activated on your account by Tmobile, you're good to go.

Keep one thing in mind; as soon as you turn the phone on you'll get reconnected to the Sidekick service and it'll start downloading messages. Data roaming can be pretty expensive.
Good tip. They said $15/mb, which isn't so bad, since I use about 6 mb/month.

Personally I'd find a cheaper way to call the US, like using Skype.
I don't know- after seeing this thread (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=621949) I'm pretty sure I'm not taking my laptop with me on this particular trip!

GG