cell phone for Europe, what do I need?

[kami333]

For what I need, I need an unlocked GSM phone that can handle 900/1800 and takes SIMs, correct? Do all GSM phones take SIMs?

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: kami333
For what I need, I need an unlocked GSM phone that can handle 900/1800 and takes SIMs, correct? Do all GSM phones take SIMs?

Yes and Yes.

 

[AlienCraft]

My friend was just in Europe with his Verizon phone. Made a call to CS here before leaving and he was good to go.
My AT&T is Europe ready, but It'll be a cold day in hell before I'm going there this year.

 

[Kenazo]

Yes and Yes.

Although you could get away with only having one of the two bands (either 900 or 1800). Some of the networks use 900 some use 1800 so you would just have to select the right carrier. Do a Google search, I can't remember who uses what off the top of my head.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

I'm tallking to Verizon CS right now, and they are claiming I need to "rent-a-phone" while I'm in Europe. I found this odd, since they didn't even ask me what phone I was using or take any information about me to look up my account.

 

[GoingUp]

you also need a sh!t ton of cash cause its so expensive over there to use it.

 

Originally posted by: t0mmyb0y
I'm tallking to Verizon CS right now, and they are claiming I need to "rent-a-phone" while I'm in Europe. I found this odd, since they didn't even ask me what phone I was using or take any information about me to look up my account.

That makes sense, since Verizon doesn't use GSM and pretty much all European cell networks are GSM.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: t0mmyb0y
I'm tallking to Verizon CS right now, and they are claiming I need to "rent-a-phone" while I'm in Europe. I found this odd, since they didn't even ask me what phone I was using or take any information about me to look up my account.

That makes sense, since Verizon doesn't use GSM and pretty much all European cell networks are GSM.

Bah that's crap. So I guess my best bet is a pre-paid calling card with international minutes? Verizon wanted $2.99 per day, plus $1.49 per minute on calls. Yikes! So I asked them to suspend billing on my line for my time over there (which for some reason also cost me $15...:shocked: )


edit: fixed smiley!

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
you also need a sh!t ton of cash cause its so expensive over there to use it.

With T-Mobile its 99 cents a minute...not too bad at all.

 

[bandana163]

According to their new ads, Vodafone is 10-20cents/min in the EU.
T-Mobile is also affordable.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
you also need a sh!t ton of cash cause its so expensive over there to use it.

I'm going to Denmark so it's even more expensive than most places. SMS all the way.

Though I'm pretty used to it, I got my first cell phone in Japan so I got used to paying $100-200 per month. Then I get one in the US and it's only $50/month for some ridiculous amount of minutes, of which 2000min is the most I've used in a month.

 

[aphex]

I took my unlocked T-Mobile phone to the Netherlands for 5 months... The first few days i used my US number & card, but i eventually picked up a KPN Netherlands pre-paid sim, got a local number, and saved myself a sh!tload of money.

If you need some help making CHEAPASS CALLS back to the states from your phone, shoot me a PM, there is a way...

 

[Mark R]

Any GSM phone should work in Europe, but you should try hard to get a 'dual band' GSM phone which supports both 900 and 1800 bands. A single band phone will work but will be seriously limited. Similarly, you should try and get an 'unlocked' phone - a 'locked' phone will recognise only its original vendor's SIM card (meaning you can't change SIM card at a later date). Note that Nokia phones can easily be unlocked for free, or for a token fee.

There are ways to rent a phone, and your US provider may be able to advise if you want to use your US number. Many providers, however, charge enormous 'roaming' fees for making and receiving calls.

Another option is buying a 2nd hand GSM phone, and buying a pre-paid SIM card for the network of your choice in the country of your choice. You will get a local number, and the ability to make cheap local calls. These are easily available in high-street shops and even supermarkets, although you may need to provide a local address in order to activate the SIM card.

If you want to call back to the US, then there are a number of 'dial-through' services which can give you international calls for the price of a local call.