American cell phones -- limited
Oct 21, 2007, 7:17 am
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
American cell phones -- limited
I really wish my cell worked overseas. Sure I could rent a cell phone from Verizon which is good in Europe but that's a real pain to do. When friends of ours visit from Dusseldorf, for example, their cell phones certainly work in New York. Why can't we have the same technology?
Oct 21, 2007, 7:26 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 11,242
I really wish my cell worked overseas. Sure I could rent a cell phone from Verizon which is good in Europe but that's a real pain to do. When friends of ours visit from Dusseldorf, for example, their cell phones certainly work in New York. Why can't we have the same technology?
Oct 21, 2007, 7:31 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: HKG/LHR/JFK
Programs: AA EXP, BAEC Bronze, DL Plat UA, HHonors Platinum, SPG Gold, Hyatt
Posts: 3,253
In the US, the GSM carriers (which is used in much of the rest of the world) are T-Mobile and Cingular. You need to make sure you have a tri- or quad- band phone.
Oct 21, 2007, 7:38 am
#6
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
You can buy an unlocked GSM phone direct from either Motorola or Nokia without a plan, and then buy a prepaid SIM card that you refill with minutes. Go to these web pages and buy a quad band phone: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 mhz.
http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en...&catKey=601130
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409002
http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en...&catKey=601130
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409002
Oct 21, 2007, 7:47 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Count Your Blessings
Posts: 1,548
If you are into Palm Treo's, you can also get unlocked GSM's either directly from Palm or aftermarket sellers like Buy.com, both of which offer miles from links like www.mponlinemall.com.
Oct 21, 2007, 8:25 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
Verizon have multiband phones that work pretty much everywhere other than Japan. I used to have one, but can't remember the make/model, as my company moved to Cingular last year.
Oct 21, 2007, 8:26 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
You can buy an unlocked GSM phone direct from either Motorola or Nokia without a plan, and then buy a prepaid SIM card that you refill with minutes. Go to these web pages and buy a quad band phone: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 mhz.
http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en...&catKey=601130
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409002
http://www.store.motorola.com/mot/en...&catKey=601130
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409002
Oct 21, 2007, 8:30 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHL (and sometimes BKK)
Programs: aa/ua gold; mar titanium. SPG till I die.
Posts: 15,648
get a cheap unlocked motorola phone for $25-50 bucks on ebay. look up "unlocked gsm" and you'll get probably around 3000 hits.
anyone who buys an unlocked phone through a company directly needs to have their head checked.
anyone who buys an unlocked phone through a company directly needs to have their head checked.
Oct 21, 2007, 8:33 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
If while overseas you only use the cellphone for initial contact, and call back on a landline, then the high cost of the calls shouldn't be a problem.
Oct 21, 2007, 8:50 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
Everything you need to know to get the cheapest cellular service/equipment while travelling in Europe:
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/
Oct 21, 2007, 9:54 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
My TMobile phone has worked everywhere I've been except Tokyo. I only use it overseas when I really need it, so the costs ($1-1.50/minute) haven't added up to much.
Oct 21, 2007, 10:11 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498