Originally Posted by
jpatokal
Your best bet for covering your entire trip would be to buy a triband GSM phone in the US, or any cheap phone in Oz/Singapore. In Sing, basic models start at under S$100 (~US$60) new and used ones can be a fraction of that. Then buy prepaid cards in both Oz and Sing, easily and cheaply available in any convenience store.
That seems like a good idea, as does the one about "borrowing" a phone from the hotel. Maybe the hotel would allow that one to go with me to Oz since I will be returning to the same hotel going home.
Appreciate all the ideas and will take them with me today when I leave US.