How "Global" Is The iPhone 4s?
Jun 30, 2012 | 2:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
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How "Global" Is The iPhone 4s?
I have an unlocked iPhone 4s usable on both Verizon and GSM networks (purchased from and unlocked by Verizon).
I have a micro-SIM from Orange France which I need to activate when I next go there.
Besides Europe and other GSM countries, where else can I get this phone to make and receive calls? How about Japan?
I have a micro-SIM from Orange France which I need to activate when I next go there.
Besides Europe and other GSM countries, where else can I get this phone to make and receive calls? How about Japan?
Jun 30, 2012 | 3:11 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
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From a technical standpoint, the iPhone will work in Japan on NTT docomo and SoftBank, however I don't really think it's possible to get a prepaid SIM there. Roaming should work as long as Verizon has agreements there (which I'm sure they do).
The iPhone, will technically work on at least 1 network in pretty much every country you would be likely to travel to.
The iPhone, will technically work on at least 1 network in pretty much every country you would be likely to travel to.
Jul 1, 2012 | 12:19 am
#4
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Jul 1, 2012 | 12:40 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Devon
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Help just been stung by orange, I have a new job that means i have to travel overseas on a fairly regular basis so bought a new smart phone from apple so that I can keep in touch with home. Not being a tecki did not realise about things like turning data off and have just had a bill that nearly floored me. So my question is after googleing all over the place is what sim you would recommend for travelling. It is a mine field off cards out there and I am just not sure and totally confused. Any advice welcome.
Jul 1, 2012 | 5:44 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Here's a pretty comprehensive list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._UMTS_networks
The spectra around 2100MHz is extremely common (pretty much every carrier on that list sans AT&T, T-Mobile, and a handful of others. ). The iPhone 4S supports 2100MHz, as well as 850, 900, and 1900 (AT&T).
The only band that doesn't work is 1700MHz AWS for T-Mobile, so until they're finished with their 1900MHz deployment, all you can use is EDGE.
Like D582 said, the real issue is whether or not you can obtain a prepaid microSIM. You can always cut down a SIM (assuming you don't have to return it), in case you only get the normal-sized one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._UMTS_networks
The spectra around 2100MHz is extremely common (pretty much every carrier on that list sans AT&T, T-Mobile, and a handful of others. ). The iPhone 4S supports 2100MHz, as well as 850, 900, and 1900 (AT&T).
The only band that doesn't work is 1700MHz AWS for T-Mobile, so until they're finished with their 1900MHz deployment, all you can use is EDGE.
Like D582 said, the real issue is whether or not you can obtain a prepaid microSIM. You can always cut down a SIM (assuming you don't have to return it), in case you only get the normal-sized one.
Jul 1, 2012 | 7:30 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,676
Help just been stung by orange, I have a new job that means i have to travel overseas on a fairly regular basis so bought a new smart phone from apple so that I can keep in touch with home. Not being a tecki did not realise about things like turning data off and have just had a bill that nearly floored me. So my question is after googleing all over the place is what sim you would recommend for travelling. It is a mine field off cards out there and I am just not sure and totally confused. Any advice welcome.
Jul 1, 2012 | 9:06 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 9
International mobile calling
The main areas of travel will be to Canada, Australia and South Africa also some in the USA. I have now found out that my iPhone is locked to orange to make things worse. It appears that to use a roaming card it needs to be unlocked reading through some sim card sites.
Jul 1, 2012 | 11:56 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
Help just been stung by orange, I have a new job that means i have to travel overseas on a fairly regular basis so bought a new smart phone from apple so that I can keep in touch with home. Not being a tecki did not realise about things like turning data off and have just had a bill that nearly floored me. So my question is after googleing all over the place is what sim you would recommend for travelling. It is a mine field off cards out there and I am just not sure and totally confused. Any advice welcome.
Jul 1, 2012 | 12:58 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 9
When I went to get the phone i explained my requirements and was told i just had to let orange know i wanted to use my phone abroad, no one from orange mentioned or advised me about usage. Really poor service from orange, but if you are not into this technology it is a bit of a learning curve. So this is why i have joined this forumas it seems most of you are far more informed than others. I have been most of the day trawling through international sim card sites and looking at rates.
Jul 1, 2012 | 1:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,676
When I went to get the phone i explained my requirements and was told i just had to let orange know i wanted to use my phone abroad, no one from orange mentioned or advised me about usage. Really poor service from orange, but if you are not into this technology it is a bit of a learning curve. So this is why i have joined this forumas it seems most of you are far more informed than others. I have been most of the day trawling through international sim card sites and looking at rates.
http://www.truphone.com/en-US/Business/Price-plans/
It covers everything but South Africa reasonably ok. The problem right now is that the best roaming SIMs for data aren't the best ones for voice.
There are a number of roaming SIMs with IOM or Jersey numbers with free incoming in a number of countries. If your spouse or others includes these holdings in their definition of mobile to mobile, you could get free incoming in all these countries, but data is a different story.
Jul 1, 2012 | 1:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Yorkshire, UK
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I have the iphone 4 and took it to South Africa. Bought a sim card over there. My only problem was that I thought the phone was unlocked but it was only unlocked in the UK. Make sure you are unlocked worldwide.
Jul 1, 2012 | 2:22 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 9
Ok what a marathon of an exercise, but think I have narrowed it down to two possibilities, either way I have to buy a new cheap phone that is unlocked to use when away. I looked at tru as suggested amongst many others providers but think I will use either one of these, just thought I would get some feedback first. I like the look of www.piranha-mobile.com that seems to be really cheap on calls and data, also has a person at the end of a chat line who was very helpful and in the UK. Also www.gosim.com but have read on other places to stay away from Isle of man numbers due to high termination whatever that is.
Jul 2, 2012 | 10:47 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
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Good luck ^