Travel Technology - Leaving the US, need a new cell contract - porting number?

Hi all,

Next month I'm leaving the US for good. I'll stay permanently in Europe for the next 4 years at least, but I'll be visiting the US every 1-2 months or so.

I currently have a Verizon contract (basic, $47/month or something) and I think I pay too much for what I'll be getting. Verizon has no signal in Europe (so I can't even get my voicemail there), hence paying $47 a month for using my cell for an average 10 days every 2 months is a little bit too much.

I have the folowing questions for you experts:

1) Is switching to a pre-paid phone a good solution in my case (10-15 days every 2 months, not a heavy user, would like to have occasionally signal in Europe in order to get my voicemail - need roaming?)?

2) Can I port my existing number to a pre-paid phone provider?

3) Any other alternatives? Any cheap per month contract with a different provider (one that also provides roaming in europe)?

Thank you for your help!

...

3) Any other alternatives? Any cheap per month contract with a different provider (one that also provides roaming in europe)?

...

I think T-Mobile has the best roaming plan for US and Europe.

I don't believe the t-mobile prepaid allows roaming outside of the US, so that's probably not a good solution.

If the purpose for roaming is only to check voice mail, you don't necessarily need to use the U.S. mobile phone on roaming. On most carriers, you can get your voice mail by calling your mobile number and press * when the prompt comes on. The system will then require you to enter your PIN.

It is most definitely less expensive to make this international call from a local land line, mobile phone or voip than to roam.

I too would recommend T-Mobile. T-Mo does support roaming on pre-paid SIMs (rates (http://www.t-mobile.com/International/RoamingOverview.aspx?tp=Inl_Tab_RoamWorldwide&tsp=Inl_Sub_RmgOverview)). I do not think that you can port a pre-paid phone number but the best way to get that answered would be to call T-Mo (+1-877-387-4324).

They told me they didn't but gave me an unlock code so I could still use the phone. Their website for world class service also says it's not available on prepaids

You can activate WorldClass International Service by calling 611 toll-free from your T-Mobile phone, or calling 1-800-937-8997 from any phone.

There is no recurring monthly fee or activation fee for this feature.


Please note:

Only the "account owner" may request activation.
Prepaid and SmartAccess customers are not eligible.

I will call again though and try, I'd love to be able to do it, maybe I'll get lucky.

Perhaps you can port your number to a VOIP account?

Perhaps you can port your number to a VOIP account?

Excellent solution. And friends with unlimited US calling plans will have a 'free' number on which to reach you.

Perhaps you can port your number to a VOIP account?

That would be an excellent solution if possible! Which companies offer this service?

Thanks everyone for your input! :)

Madhatter,

I'm not sure if your exact needs. DSLReports has a great VOIP forum. Callcentric.com has number portability and some pretty good plans. If you just want to park your number, they have a $1.95 a month plan where you pay a penny or two for inbound VOIP calls. They have a slightly more expensive plan where inbound calls are included. Lastly, they have some good outbound packages.

Why I recommending them is they also permit you to forward calls to foreign numbers. A number of providers have problems forwarding calls to numbers which have country codes beginning with something other than "1." Also, some providers such as Viatalk have TOS's that prohibit you from using their devices outside the US.

It has been a number of years since I've had Vonage so I'll let someone else talk about them.

OP, you could get a free number from grand central (http://www.grandcentral.com/) and give it out as your main contact.

Then you can get whatever pre-paid service you want and link the phone numbers to your grandcentral number. You can get all your voice mails in one place and you can check them online.

OP, you could get a free number from grand central (http://www.grandcentral.com/) and give it out as your main contact.

Then you can get whatever pre-paid service you want and link the phone numbers to your grandcentral number. You can get all your voice mails in one place and you can check them online.

The problems are that Grand Central will not forward calls outside the US and they do not support call portability. The way I read this guy's post, it seemed like he had a number that he wanted to preserve while he lived outside the US, that he could use when temporarily back in the US, and then port back to a cellphone if and when he permanently moved back to the States.

The problems are that Grand Central will not forward calls outside the US and they do not support call portability. The way I read this guy's post, it seemed like he had a number that he wanted to preserve while he lived outside the US, that he could use when temporarily back in the US, and then port back to a cellphone if and when he permanently moved back to the States.

Yes, it is true that Grand Central will not forward calls outside the US. But OP can use the service to receive voicemail and check it online for free. OP can use any inexpensive means (calling card / VOIP) to call people back if the need arises.

When back in the States, OP can buy a new pre-paid phone and not worry about changing/porting phone numbers since the Grand Central number will be good for life.

Thanks again fellows! ^:) (Dubai Stu managed to describe my situation better than myself :o )

On a related note, a sales guy at T-mobile just told me that if I switch to them I would have the option to "suspend" my account (using and billing) as frequently as I can, within a year, I think. I am aware that I won't be able to get any voicemail since my line will be suspended, but at least, I will be able to reactivate my old number when I'm back to the US and not pay for nothing. Is this true? Is this something unique to t-mobile, or everyone offers it?

Something else: I'm totally clueless when it comes to VOIP :o. Can I use my VOIP phone everywhere in the world as long as there is internet connection? Even when I am in the US, I rarely stay at a place where there is no internet connection, and when it is the case (driving), I always have my european phone which works here as well.

If you get a VOIP account, you don't have to worry about forwarding calls to a foreign number. All you need is a [high speed] internet connection anywhere in the world and you can make and receive calls just as if you were in the US.

You can even set up some VOIP accounts on a mobile device, either a dedicated mobile VOIP handset, or on a mobile phone which also allows you to set up SIP connections. For the mobile solution, you need a wireless internet connection which you may have at home, and of course would be able to find at various hotspots.

Be careful, though, not all VOIP providers will permit you or assist you in configuring a wireless device. And some proprietary VOIP systems are incompatible.

Thanks again fellows! ^:) (Dubai Stu managed to describe my situation better than myself :o )

On a related note, a sales guy at T-mobile just told me that if I switch to them I would have the option to "suspend" my account (using and billing) as frequently as I can, within a year, I think. I am aware that I won't be able to get any voicemail since my line will be suspended, but at least, I will be able to reactivate my old number when I'm back to the US and not pay for nothing. Is this true? Is this something unique to t-mobile, or everyone offers it?

Something else: I'm totally clueless when it comes to VOIP :o. Can I use my VOIP phone everywhere in the world as long as there is internet connection? Even when I am in the US, I rarely stay at a place where there is no internet connection, and when it is the case (driving), I always have my european phone which works here as well.

VOIP works well over most broadband connections. Over dialup, it is dicey. There are a couple of countries in the world that block VOIP, but in most countries it works fine. [There are workarounds for those countries, but that is another story for another day].

I was also thinking, Tmobile has a program called Hot Spot at Hone which allows you to use your mobile over wifi. If you pay the extra fee, all your minutes over the internet are unlimited. If you don't pay the extra fee, the calls come out of your ordinary bucket of minutes, but things like "My Faves," and "Nights and Weekends" are still free. Only three phones that Tmobile offers work with Hot Spot at HOme. Of the three, the Samsung doesn't work on European bands (but would work over the internet).
The Blackberry Curve has a browser so that it can work over pay hotspot connections. The Nokia can't log onto pay hotspots other than ones run by Tmobile. This might be for you.

I don't know where you are moving, but in some countries, it is a pain to qualify for international roaming on a contract phone. In Dubai, they wanted significant deposits, a letter from your employers, and some history. When we were out of the UAE, my wife and I both used our US phones at first for roaming. (Later we bought a cheap roaming sim).

Most VOIP connections go into what is called an analog telephone adapter. With an analog telephone adapter, you plug your broadband into the box on one side and a standard phone or phones on the other. You take the phone off the hook and get a US dialtone.

You can also connect through your laptop or desktop using a headphone device. Some providers such as Vonage require you to use their equipment. Others like Broadvoice, Viatalk, Delta Three allow you to use your own devices.

Most carriers only allow one device online at a time, but an open access carrier means that you can use your laptop while travelling and standard phone when you are home. You can also plug multiple devices into the same connection using something like pbxes.com, voxalot.com, etc.

For example, when we lived in Dubai I had an analog adapter in our apartment in our Dubai, our home in the US, software clients on both our laptops, and I packed a Nokia E-Series phone which had a VOIP client on as well. Anyone of these devices cold tap into my minutes and I could switch where my phone rang painlessly. When we moved back to the US, I dial a three digit code unplugged my phone in Dubai and moved home. My phone has rung in the US ever since.

If you are interested in talking about this further, PM me and I'll give you a phone number you can call me at over the weekend.

You can even set up some VOIP accounts on a mobile device, either a dedicated mobile VOIP handset, or on a mobile phone which also allows you to set up SIP connections. For the mobile solution, you need a wireless internet connection which you may have at home, and of course would be able to find at various hotspots.

What is a SIP connection? :o Do you know of any device that allows this? :o Are there any Blackberry devices allowing for both types of connection?

SIP is the most popular protocol for Voice Over Internet. TMobile uses a different standard called Unlicensed Mobile Access or "UMA." Skype uses a proprietary format. There is also a format called IAX used by some PBX systems.

The Blackberry Curve from TMobile supports UMA. TMobile also has an international Blackberry plan which will allow you to get your Blackberry e-mail worldwide for a fixed fee. I don't know of a Blackberry program that handles SIP. There is a VOIP service for Blackberry called Raketu which I don't know much about. Sorry.

I think Blackberries have generally used weaker processors than most smartphones in an attempt maximize battery life. VOIP requires either a dedicated chipset or a speedy processor.

Nokia E Series phones ship with Blackberry Connect and support SIP. Blackberry Connect allows non-Blackberries to connect with Blackberry servers and use Blackberry plans. As noted earlier, Nokia's have SIP.
Windows Mobile 6 also ships with a built in SIP client.

VOIP works well over most broadband connections. Over dialup, it is dicey. There are a couple of countries in the world that block VOIP, but in most countries it works fine. [There are workarounds for those countries, but that is another story for another day].

I was also thinking, Tmobile has a program called Hot Spot at Hone which allows you to use your mobile over wifi. If you pay the extra fee, all your minutes over the internet are unlimited. If you don't pay the extra fee, the calls come out of your ordinary bucket of minutes, but things like "My Faves," and "Nights and Weekends" are still free. Only three phones that Tmobile offers work with Hot Spot at HOme. Of the three, the Samsung doesn't work on European bands (but would work over the internet).
The Blackberry Curve has a browser so that it can work over pay hotspot connections. The Nokia can't log onto pay hotspots other than ones run by Tmobile. This might be for you.

I don't know where you are moving, but in some countries, it is a pain to qualify for international roaming on a contract phone. In Dubai, they wanted significant deposits, a letter from your employers, and some history. When we were out of the UAE, my wife and I both used our US phones at first for roaming. (Later we bought a cheap roaming sim).

Most VOIP connections go into what is called an analog telephone adapter. With an analog telephone adapter, you plug your broadband into the box on one side and a standard phone or phones on the other. You take the phone off the hook and get a US dialtone.

You can also connect through your laptop or desktop using a headphone device. Some providers such as Vonage require you to use their equipment. Others like Broadvoice, Viatalk, Delta Three allow you to use your own devices.

Most carriers only allow one device online at a time, but an open access carrier means that you can use your laptop while travelling and standard phone when you are home. You can also plug multiple devices into the same connection using something like pbxes.com, voxalot.com, etc.

For example, when we lived in Dubai I had an analog adapter in our apartment in our Dubai, our home in the US, software clients on both our laptops, and I packed a Nokia E-Series phone which had a VOIP client on as well. Anyone of these devices cold tap into my minutes and I could switch where my phone rang painlessly. When we moved back to the US, I dial a three digit code unplugged my phone in Dubai and moved home. My phone has rung in the US ever since.

If you are interested in talking about this further, PM me and I'll give you a phone number you can call me at over the weekend.

Wow, thanks a bunch Dubai Stu! ^

My parents will have the same problem soon going overseas. This is what I'm doing for them for the time being:

They're going to keep their T-Mobile service for when they return. While they are gone, I will turn the phone off.

With TM, you get an extra 500 conditional forwarding minutes on top of your plan. This means you can forward all or some of your calls to another number. Using these 500 min, all calls will forward to a SkypeIn number which they can answer overseas. If they can't answer it will just go to their Skype voicemail.

I know it's not the cheapest way, they Skype makes it easy to use and it should work for now.

I was on pre-paid with Cingular/AT&T and I could NOT roam internationally. So last month I changed to pre-paid with T-Mobile and I can roam internationally (Canada and Australia tested so far).

Hope this helps.

I was on pre-paid with Cingular/AT&T and I could NOT roam internationally. So last month I changed to pre-paid with T-Mobile and I can roam internationally (Canada and Australia tested so far).

Hope this helps.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaidrates.aspx
All other countries $1.60 per minute


Yikes....I still prefer to get a local pre-pay sim when possible, then sms using that. Though TM's int'l sms rates aren't too bad.

I was also thinking, Tmobile has a program called Hot Spot at Hone which allows you to use your mobile over wifi. If you pay the extra fee, all your minutes over the internet are unlimited. If you don't pay the extra fee, the calls come out of your ordinary bucket of minutes, but things like "My Faves," and "Nights and Weekends" are still free. Only three phones that Tmobile offers work with Hot Spot at HOme. Of the three, the Samsung doesn't work on European bands (but would work over the internet).
The Blackberry Curve has a browser so that it can work over pay hotspot connections. The Nokia can't log onto pay hotspots other than ones run by Tmobile. This might be for you.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I finally opted for the Curve with T-mobile. Don't ask me why :o. If I find out I'll let you know. Works fine for the moment, I'll let you know how is it going overseas. The sales guy gave me the first month of "Hot Spot at Home" for free. I guess the option to suspend my service whenever, regardless mattered a lot.

Already getting some horrible service from T-mobile customer service! :(

Called them to fix an issue with my web browser. When trying to access webpages like www.expertflyer.com or www.lufthansa.com, I get the message

*Secure forms temporarily disabled*

and it doesn't let me write anything in the *user name* or *password* fields! :(
All agents verified that it worked on their own Curve, the last one I talked to told me to go to the t-mobile store to get a new one... He told me that they don't even have the *Secure forms temporarily disabled* message in their troubleshooting database, so there was basically nothing he could do.

I called 5 times already today to ask what is going on and I managed to gather 4 different answers, none of which solved the problem. The worst answer was from a girl who claimed that blackberry browsers can't access secure webpages (like banks, airlines, expertflyer :rolleyes:). :td::td:

Already getting some horrible service from T-mobile customer service! :(

Called them to fix an issue with my web browser. When trying to access webpages like www.expertflyer.com or www.lufthansa.com, I get the message

*Secure forms temporarily disabled*

and it doesn't let me write anything in the *user name* or *password* fields! :(
All agents verified that it worked on their own Curve, the last one I talked to told me to go to the t-mobile store to get a new one... He told me that they don't even have the *Secure forms temporarily disabled* message in their troubleshooting database, so there was basically nothing he could do.

I called 5 times already today to ask what is going on and I managed to gather 4 different answers, none of which solved the problem. The worst answer was from a girl who claimed that blackberry browsers can't access secure webpages (like banks, airlines, expertflyer :rolleyes:). :td::td:

You may want to check out Howard Forums (google it). They have a dedicated TM section with a lot knowledge people.

Blackberryforums.com is also a place to go. I looked at expertflyer.com and their picture of a mobile browser accessing their service was a Blackberry browser.

If I were you, I'd first log on to wifi and then try accessing the service. That will help you determine if it is a browser issue or a network issue. I'd also download the new operamini browser for Blackberry and see if it worked on wifi and over the TMobile net.

Blackberryforums.com is also a place to go. I looked at expertflyer.com and their picture of a mobile browser accessing their service was a Blackberry browser.

If I were you, I'd first log on to wifi and then try accessing the service. That will help you determine if it is a browser issue or a network issue. I'd also download the new operamini browser for Blackberry and see if it worked on wifi and over the TMobile net.

Always excellent advice Dubai Stu!^

Got it to work perfectly with operamini. Works on both wifi and T-mobile mode! If one wants to use the browser that comes with the BB, the default browser should be set to *t-zones* instead of *Internet Browser*.

FWIW, I posted my question to about 10 T-Mobile technical support agents and 2 specialized forums (crackberry.com, howardforums.com) and this forum (!!!) is the place where I finally got a solution! ^

If all you need is a US number with remote call forwarding, try www.tollfreeforwarding.com . I had tried for years to get a good number out of my RBOC (Verizon) without success. TFF gave me a -great- (00) number in my supposedly-full area code (310) for $10/mo, (1/3 the price of Verizon) and they offer numbers in any country; and toll free numbers. They will port-in your existing number.