American cell phones -- limited
Oct 21, 2007, 11:33 am
#17
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If you live in the U.S. and take occasional trips abroad, then Sprint as your primary carrier plus a cheap unlocked GSM handset seems like the best combination. If you travel extensively abroad or want the best data performance abroad, then you probably need a different solution. But I wouldn't want to jump into Cingular's inferior performance in the U.S. just because I take a few trips abroad each year.
Oct 21, 2007, 12:18 pm
#18
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Oct 21, 2007, 12:18 pm
#19
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I may be too late to order the phone on ebay for this trip (leaving Tues) but I can do it for my trip one month from now to IBZ. I've never used ebay. How trustworty and reliable are the sellers? I know they are rated but can't those ratings be fake??
Oct 21, 2007, 12:32 pm
#20
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Im not sure how cheap you are looking for but here is a new phone, 900, 1800, 1900 band that will work in Europe and on TMobile in the US (some on Cingular also) for about $90 new. I have bought several phones from this place.
http://www.mobilebee.com/nokia-3120a.html
Oct 21, 2007, 1:00 pm
#21
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Once you get the phone, of course, you'll need to get a SIM... but there's an extensive thread on that already, toward the top of the page.
Oct 21, 2007, 1:48 pm
#22
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http://www.catalogoexpert.com/aspCat...6&grd=fam;20;0
Last edited by alanw; Oct 21, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Oct 22, 2007, 10:38 am
#24
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Oct 22, 2007, 11:04 am
#25
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I'm sure the other carriers do this as well, but T-mobile will give you an unlock code for your phone if you've had the phone for 90 days and the account is in good standing. I unlocked my t-mobile blackberry for when I travel overseas. Just call their 800 number and ask for a code.
Oct 22, 2007, 1:35 pm
#26
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Others have hit the nail on the head
Go on ebay search for unlocked gsm quad band. Find a phone you like at a price you are willing to pay. Then check the sellers ratings and if things look good buy it. Charge it up and take it with you. Once you get in country go buy a pre paid SIM out it in your phone and start talking. You may need to activate it (follow the supplied instructions), and also check the website to see if there are any special dialing codes. I just got back from 10 days in singapore I got a SIM card from the local 7-11 from Singtel. I visited the singtel site and learned of 019 dialing and saved a ton of money. I put $20 on the card and never used even that calling the US multiple times a day.
Oct 22, 2007, 5:11 pm
#27
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I have purchased several unlocked phones on ebay with no problems. Yes, a feedback rating of say, 20, can be faked. A feedback rating of 200 or 2000 is difficult bordering on impossible.
Oct 22, 2007, 5:29 pm
#28
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I think it's because if you can get service in your area they offer the most competitive rates. Here in Boston, Verizon has the best network but I get decent reception at home on Sprint. They also offer the absolute lowest monthly cost for the features I need compared to the GSM carriers.
Oct 22, 2007, 5:31 pm
#29
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I bought my unlocked GSM phone on Ebay. If you're not buying the "latest" hot item it's also less likely you'll run into a fraudulent seller.
Oct 22, 2007, 5:41 pm
#30
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Unless you're a T-Mobile or AT&T customer, you do NOT need a quad-band phone.
And if you ARE a customer, you probably already have one.
There's no point in getting a quad-band phone, because although it will work in Europe, it won't work on Verizon, Sprint, Alltel...anything but T-Mo or ATT.
I'd pick up the Telestial deal and maybe buy local SIMs for longish stays in European countries.
There's no point in getting a quad-band phone, because although it will work in Europe, it won't work on Verizon, Sprint, Alltel...anything but T-Mo or ATT.
I'd pick up the Telestial deal and maybe buy local SIMs for longish stays in European countries.