What is the best global smartphone plan?
Nov 10, 2010 | 4:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA EXP and others
Posts: 4,749
What is the best global smartphone plan?
The smartphone advances of the last year have convinced my I should try to replace my:
US prepaid T-Mobile
UK prepaid Orange
France prepaid Bouyges
Brazil postpaid Vivo
and have one global plan. because I am often in Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Japan and China it would be ever so convenient to not carry a carryon group of sims plus the odd temporary local rental.
Does anybody have perspective on this? I feel inept and clueless despite a decent amount of research.
I really, really want an iPhone and am willing to buy an unlocked one, or even deal with an Android if I must.
US prepaid T-Mobile
UK prepaid Orange
France prepaid Bouyges
Brazil postpaid Vivo
and have one global plan. because I am often in Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Japan and China it would be ever so convenient to not carry a carryon group of sims plus the odd temporary local rental.
Does anybody have perspective on this? I feel inept and clueless despite a decent amount of research.
I really, really want an iPhone and am willing to buy an unlocked one, or even deal with an Android if I must.
Nov 10, 2010 | 6:00 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 634
I've spent quite a lot of time looking for just such a plan for 3G data and voice for my Android phone. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to exist, at least for the 3G data part. It might in 5 or 10 years, but for now the market seems to be too immature.
Nov 10, 2010 | 7:39 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: DL D & MM, Marriott P, Hilton S, UA, US, AA
Posts: 154
The smartphone advances of the last year have convinced my I should try to replace my:
US prepaid T-Mobile
UK prepaid Orange
France prepaid Bouyges
Brazil postpaid Vivo
and have one global plan. because I am often in Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Japan and China it would be ever so convenient to not carry a carryon group of sims plus the odd temporary local rental.
Does anybody have perspective on this? I feel inept and clueless despite a decent amount of research.
I really, really want an iPhone and am willing to buy an unlocked one, or even deal with an Android if I must.
US prepaid T-Mobile
UK prepaid Orange
France prepaid Bouyges
Brazil postpaid Vivo
and have one global plan. because I am often in Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Japan and China it would be ever so convenient to not carry a carryon group of sims plus the odd temporary local rental.
Does anybody have perspective on this? I feel inept and clueless despite a decent amount of research.
I really, really want an iPhone and am willing to buy an unlocked one, or even deal with an Android if I must.
Of course you still need SIM cards to access the local cell network
Nov 10, 2010 | 9:27 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ABJ
Posts: 755
Or you can get a phone with UMA/WiFi calling (Tmobile in the US = BB or Android). This lets your phone use any WiFi network to which you can connect act as a cell tower. Big advantage for international travelers is no roaming as the network just sees your phone as being on your normal network.
Of course you still need SIM cards to access the local cell network
Of course you still need SIM cards to access the local cell network
Nov 10, 2010 | 9:39 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Do a search for UMA and WiFi calling - there's tons of ideas. I've been using TMO and UMA since inception, and link it with a skype-to-go number + unlimited international skype program. So when overseas, as long as I can connect my BB with wifi, basically make free calls almost anywhere worldwide for free or pennies.
Nov 10, 2010 | 9:56 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA EXP and others
Posts: 4,749
Do a search for UMA and WiFi calling - there's tons of ideas. I've been using TMO and UMA since inception, and link it with a skype-to-go number + unlimited international skype program. So when overseas, as long as I can connect my BB with wifi, basically make free calls almost anywhere worldwide for free or pennies.