Cell Phones for Overseas
Which phone should you take overseas? We’ve heard stories of unsuspecting Americans racking up thousands of dollars in roaming charges, but we’ve also had recommendations of websites that can be helpful in making your choice.
A choice recommended by one of our associates is Telestial’s Quad Pack International with the Motorola V191 Cell Phone and Dual US/UK Number SIM card. The phone is quad-band, which means you’re covered in all international service destinations, and the Passport international Dual US/UK Number SIM card offers free incoming calls (on the Global UK number) in many destinations. This international cell phone is great for regular international travelers and offers frequent callers great international calling value. Its features include:
* Unlimited free incoming calls in over 50 countries, including U.S. and Canada on the Global number
* More than 30 minutes of initial outgoing talk time included (for 65 countries)
* Service in more than 160 countries
* Excellent coverage in over 130 countries
* Airtime rates starting at just $0.49 USD per minute,including the United States and Canada
For more information, see www.telestial.com/promo/quadpack.php/
If you don’t plan to spend a lot of time overseas, you might consider renting a phone such as the National Geographic Talk Abroad cell phone. It offers:
* Unlimited free incoming calls in over 60 countries
* More than 30 minutes of initial outgoing talk time included for 65 countries
* Service in more than 160 countries
* No contract or bills
It’s also possible to purchase this phone, which included T and radio reception and a camera, for $199. For more information on renting or buying the phone, see www.cellularabroad.com/travelphone.php.
Then there’s the Lonely Planet site (don’t these folks usually have the answer?) which provides a list of SIM cards starting at $9. some can be used in many countries, some are specifically for, say, China or Brazil. Prices per minute vary as well. Most likely there’s a SIM card here for every need. See www.lonelyplanet.ekit.com/ekit/MobilePurchase/Sims.
Can you use your U.S. phone abroad? Is it best to buy individual SIM cards? For some advice on making the best selection for your specific needs, including a decision matric, see www.thetravelinsider.com/2003/0801.htm.
If you want technical information about bandwidths used in different countries, see www.thetravelinsider.com/roadwarriorcontent/quadbandphones.htm.
If you have cell phone experiences you’d like to share with others, let us know.