One Man, One World, One Phone
Jul 23, 2014, 2:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 241
One Man, One World, One Phone
Greetings:
You probably read my problems in another post in trying to find a perfect world phone.
My question to you is:
Q-What phone do you use for international travel?
Q-Do you use one phone or two (one for here and one for there)?
Thank you
You probably read my problems in another post in trying to find a perfect world phone.
My question to you is:
Q-What phone do you use for international travel?
Q-Do you use one phone or two (one for here and one for there)?
Thank you
Jul 23, 2014, 3:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
There are many ways to answer this, but you dont set many parameters to assist, eg any particular continent? Duration of travel? Voice or data use?
1. If someone else is paying the bill and does not care what it costs:- One phone, international roaming, dial away and get data whenever you like.
2. If you pay the bill yourself, and/or are as rich as Croesus:- One phone, international roaming, dial away and get data whenever you like.
3. If you have to account to somebody else for the costs, or dont want to expend your own arm and leg:- .... you are going to have to compromise on either phone, roaming and/or data package.
I usually fit mainly into category two - but will compromise where necessary. but occasionally use more than one network because I need coverage in some different areas. I mainly use an iPhone 5s on one network, but have an iPad mini with a network SIM on a different network, and a MIFI on a third network. I have different phones that I sometimes take to add a local SIM if required.
1. If someone else is paying the bill and does not care what it costs:- One phone, international roaming, dial away and get data whenever you like.
2. If you pay the bill yourself, and/or are as rich as Croesus:- One phone, international roaming, dial away and get data whenever you like.
3. If you have to account to somebody else for the costs, or dont want to expend your own arm and leg:- .... you are going to have to compromise on either phone, roaming and/or data package.
I usually fit mainly into category two - but will compromise where necessary. but occasionally use more than one network because I need coverage in some different areas. I mainly use an iPhone 5s on one network, but have an iPad mini with a network SIM on a different network, and a MIFI on a third network. I have different phones that I sometimes take to add a local SIM if required.
Jul 24, 2014, 1:44 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Jul 24, 2014, 3:58 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
I have an iPhone 5s, AT&T with unlimited international data. For voice, it's not cheap, but hard to beat unlimited international data. It's not like the T-Mobile thing which limits you to basically 2G speeds. I get HSPA or LTE, and I get all the data I want on cruise ships. That's what I use mainly.
But if I had to have only one phone for travel it'd be my Inmarsat sat phone. $1/minute for calls. It's quite expensive to call it ($10/minute on AT&T, 60 RMB/minute on China Mobile).
But if I had to have only one phone for travel it'd be my Inmarsat sat phone. $1/minute for calls. It's quite expensive to call it ($10/minute on AT&T, 60 RMB/minute on China Mobile).
Jul 24, 2014, 8:02 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
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Posts: 650
I now have an unlocked IPhone5 that I use a local sim card for. I make to many calls to local people such as drivers, clients and clients call me. I do not want the clients to call an international number to get a hold of me if I am in their country. I just find it easier for me. I have a Kall8 # that I have forwarded to my phone if family or clients in the states need to get a hold of me. For them I use Skype to call them back.
Jul 24, 2014, 10:18 am
#10
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As for the Op question, I just use my Note II. I drop an appropriate SIM in when traveling internationally.
Jul 24, 2014, 10:24 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Marriott Gold
Posts: 952
I have a Nexus 4 - my old phone - that I use for traveling. Cheap(ish), unlocked, pentaband, accepts a fairly common type of SIM (micro SIM) and if I lose it I won't cry.
All my data is backed up on Google as well, and I have a remote wipe app (Cerberus) on it as well as the Google one that's baked into the OS.
All my data is backed up on Google as well, and I have a remote wipe app (Cerberus) on it as well as the Google one that's baked into the OS.
Jul 24, 2014, 11:43 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: AES-LHR
Programs: SK *G, A3B
Posts: 19
Is the question about choosing the ultimate phone, or the ultimate phone+contract?
These days all new smartphones seem to be working world wide, so it basically comes down to personal preference and requirements.
Depending on the number of destinations OP is flying to and how frequent and long the stays are in each place, there are companies like Lebara specialising in "cheap international calls" but they are usually only good for just the one thing. I would try to find a carrier that operates directly in all the countries that will be frequently visited. There might be some special pricing allowing others to contact your foreign number without foreign charges. Think of who will be contacting you, when deciding whether to keep a phonenumber local to those calling you.
I only frequently travel between my two bases in two different European countries, but due that I may be called to a meeting in my second locale with short notice, I decided to equip myself with two phones. To minimise cost I'm on pay as you go contracts, and both phones were purchased unlocked. I have an iPhone and a Blackberry Curve, and change the SIM-cards so that I always have the cheapest data/roaming available on the iPhone. The Blackberry is useless when it comes to surfing and apps, but is good as a modem when I want to tether internet to my Mac – seeing as it uses less battery than the iPhone for this service. (Nontheless, I will be upgradeing to a second iPhone soon, mainly because it's so seamless having phones, tablet and computer talk together automatically - even If they're far apart - with the iCloud integration Apple has. Thus I would suggest a Windows phone if your computer runs a newer generation of Windows)
I'm with Three on my UK number, where I every 30 days purchase an add-on for Ł15 giving me free data in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Macau, Norway, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and United States, in addition to 300 minutes, 2700 minutes to others on 3, and 3000 UK texts. Calling and texting people without a UK number cost extra, but in this data age, you can call and text for free If you use the right services, meaning a carrier that offers international data allowance is a great investment. Outside of Europe Three can be found in Hong Kong and Indonesia with similair "Feel At Home" deals. When I fly between my two homes, I try to squeeze in as many legs as possible, earning my *G and I'm super pleased to be with a carrier that allows me to roam for free – all the way to take-off – on all of my transferports. Has saved me a great deal of frustruation on plane-bound delays!
These days all new smartphones seem to be working world wide, so it basically comes down to personal preference and requirements.
Depending on the number of destinations OP is flying to and how frequent and long the stays are in each place, there are companies like Lebara specialising in "cheap international calls" but they are usually only good for just the one thing. I would try to find a carrier that operates directly in all the countries that will be frequently visited. There might be some special pricing allowing others to contact your foreign number without foreign charges. Think of who will be contacting you, when deciding whether to keep a phonenumber local to those calling you.
I only frequently travel between my two bases in two different European countries, but due that I may be called to a meeting in my second locale with short notice, I decided to equip myself with two phones. To minimise cost I'm on pay as you go contracts, and both phones were purchased unlocked. I have an iPhone and a Blackberry Curve, and change the SIM-cards so that I always have the cheapest data/roaming available on the iPhone. The Blackberry is useless when it comes to surfing and apps, but is good as a modem when I want to tether internet to my Mac – seeing as it uses less battery than the iPhone for this service. (Nontheless, I will be upgradeing to a second iPhone soon, mainly because it's so seamless having phones, tablet and computer talk together automatically - even If they're far apart - with the iCloud integration Apple has. Thus I would suggest a Windows phone if your computer runs a newer generation of Windows)
I'm with Three on my UK number, where I every 30 days purchase an add-on for Ł15 giving me free data in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Macau, Norway, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and United States, in addition to 300 minutes, 2700 minutes to others on 3, and 3000 UK texts. Calling and texting people without a UK number cost extra, but in this data age, you can call and text for free If you use the right services, meaning a carrier that offers international data allowance is a great investment. Outside of Europe Three can be found in Hong Kong and Indonesia with similair "Feel At Home" deals. When I fly between my two homes, I try to squeeze in as many legs as possible, earning my *G and I'm super pleased to be with a carrier that allows me to roam for free – all the way to take-off – on all of my transferports. Has saved me a great deal of frustruation on plane-bound delays!
Jul 24, 2014, 11:47 am
#13
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I have an iPhone 5s, AT&T with unlimited international data. For voice, it's not cheap, but hard to beat unlimited international data. It's not like the T-Mobile thing which limits you to basically 2G speeds. I get HSPA or LTE, and I get all the data I want on cruise ships. That's what I use mainly.
But if I had to have only one phone for travel it'd be my Inmarsat sat phone. $1/minute for calls. It's quite expensive to call it ($10/minute on AT&T, 60 RMB/minute on China Mobile).
But if I had to have only one phone for travel it'd be my Inmarsat sat phone. $1/minute for calls. It's quite expensive to call it ($10/minute on AT&T, 60 RMB/minute on China Mobile).
Jul 27, 2014, 9:55 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
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Posts: 116
agree with tkey
YMMV
Jul 27, 2014, 10:28 am
#15
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I have a Verizon GS3. Works around the globe. Just swap the micro-SIM. Don't even need to deal with unlock codes or anything - comes unlocked (at least for international use) by default. Same with any global LTE phone.