Has anyone gone abroad with the major US cell phone carriers?

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
What about for the 9 months of this year that I won't be in Switzerland? I'm only going for the summer, and my Sprint contract expires at the end of May!

What's the best value for a domestic phone for a one-year contract? I can't find one-year contract details on any of the major carriers' websites. I don't want to drive around to various stores asking in person. Do you guys have experience with one-year contracts?

After the year ends, I'll just do the Swiss phone like everyone suggested. Thanks for all of the help

You won't find any info on 1 year plans, because no carrier wants you for just that period of time. I know that both at&t & T-mobile still offer one year plans, but they don't make it easy. You might have to go through a reseller, so you can get a decent price on a phone. Mobile bee is one choice. They have 3 one year choices for T-mobile national plan.

 

[wand3r3r]

As many people said get a pre-paid sim card. Or if its like Scandinavia just get a contract which you pay monthly and not for a fixed length of time.
In Scandinavia you can use a number before the US number to use a "cheap" connection.
e.g. 99533 (1xxx the rest of the number here)
Then you only need to pay your prepaid rate (~10cents/min) PLUS the 99533 rate (~4 cents in Scandinavia)

Its the cheapest option! If you use the operators direct calling to the US they will charge many times more. And the US operators royally charge you for touching your phone on that side of the pond.

Here is a link to one company with instructions etc. PM me if you have more questions.
http://www.teleale.com/index2.php?language=english

 

[MedusaOblongata]

If they're in your area, Metro PCS is a cell service provider in the US that is prepaid, unlimited usage for $40/mo. So that could cover the time you're here with no contract.

I spent some time in Zürich last fall and absolutely loved it. I might want to move there one day. Be sure to make a weekend trip out there once you're settled in Geneva.

 

[Penth]

Why don't you just stay with spring in a month-to-month contract for the next 12 months. With SERO it can't cost more than like $100 for the 3 months you're not going to be here. That'll be easier than switching to another provider for a year.

 

[ACruzerGuy]

Heres another idea. You can port your number to a "VOIP" carrier such as Callcentric, and then from there forward your number to where ever you like. They're pay per minute on incoming calls is 1.5cents, and then you pay the rate to make the call, so if you forward it to a cell phone, its just under 26cents a minute, and about 2.5 cents to Landlines. You can also use their call treatments to tell which numbers get forwarded to your cell phone, and which just ring to your home number there. You can also use their Click2Dial service to make international calls, which means they basically connect the call for you, and you're making two phone calls. From the callcenter to your phone and then from the call center to wherever you're calling. About 28 cents a minute total. Assuming you have free incoming calls on your european cell phone. If you use a lot of calling, they have plans. I've just found that this works for me, I like the pay per call idea.