Travel Technology - Hello and tricky cell phones

Hi guys, this is my first post here, and I'm sorry if I haven't shaped my profile up yet, I will soon.

I'm about to go to Europe for a year, I work in the entertainment industry and will be touring all over Europe. I was wondering what your suggestion would be about a cell phone.

I would like to have an European number that stays the same as I go, but if I'm not mistaken it doesn't matter where I go, as soon as I leave the country where I get it I'll get my head torn off with roaming, right? It's kind of important for me to keep a number so people can reach me from the US and I can't change phones every couple of weeks. Since I'll be in the EU for a while I was thinking maybe someone knew of any special plans that could help me?

My first destination is the UK, and I looked at Vodafone and they didn't seem off the roof expensive, but I'm not sure what will happen once I leave the UK.

Thanks!

From what I understand your belief is correct - outside of the "local" area of your phone's SIM card, you will be roaming & paying to keep/use that phone # while roaming. If you buy a new SIM card in each country/area, you'll also be changing your phone #. But, I'm not a European cell phone expert. I'm sure others will be able to definitively answer your questions.

Do you need "instant access" when someone calls your cell phone or would something like Skype work? A US phone #; voice mail; you can send/receive calls via internet on your laptop. Skype tends to work if you want to stay in touch with family each evening. Not so great if you're waiting for the call to close a business deal.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Maxroam may work for you. They give you one free number (US, UK, or France) and you can add numbers from several other countries including the UK, so that people from those countries can reach you locally. I have a US number and it has worked everywhere I have used it from the Caribbean, to Nigeria, to Europe. Another option is United Mobile UM+. I believe there is a sticky here that mentions these and other options that may also work.

United-mobile.com and globalsimcard.co.uk also give you UK numbers which roam for free through most of Europe. Avoid the Icelandic roaming SIMs (e.g. 09, Yackie, etc). Many of them have had serious problems because of the failure of one of the MVNOs.

Thanks, I'll check those out, that seems more like what I need.

There is much good information in this thread on the top of the page

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/569462-how-much-european-sim-card-exactly.html

I looked at Vodafone because I could just get a BlackBerry from them, but they'll charge me incoming calls even with a travel plan and their Passport.

I think I'm going to stick with a phone + data plan from United Mobile, they seem to have the best solution. Sadly they don't have that local number thing that MaxRoam has, but 95% of the countries have free incoming calls with a +44 number even.

Any opinions on this? Is this a good company to choose from?

I looked at Vodafone because I could just get a BlackBerry from them, but they'll charge me incoming calls even with a travel plan and their Passport.

I think I'm going to stick with a phone + data plan from United Mobile, they seem to have the best solution. Sadly they don't have that local number thing that MaxRoam has, but 95% of the countries have free incoming calls with a +44 number even.

Any opinions on this? Is this a good company to choose from?

Look at www.prepaidgsm.net they have a whole thread on this company. They have raised rates to almost crazy levels. I do use Vodaphone for traveling the EU. If I am just passing through. Even have used it in the UAE. I have used Intl sims,but they have all gone out of business. If I am in a country long enough I get a local sim to use.

Thanks for that. I'd have to check the Vodafone thing more closely. I've been aimed that way by many people, but it seems I'd pay around £40/month plus a Passport service and all, and still get charged for incoming calls. How is your experience with prices in general? Is it terrible at the end of the month?

I'll be in the UK about 10 weeks, and after that a couple of weeks in each country. I don't mind buying local sim cards, I just don't want to change my number all the time.