Traveling outside one’s native country is often easier with a mobile phone. US AT&T users can use their phones outside the US but should expect to spend extremely high usage fees. Verizon/Sprint users are generally out of luck using their phones outside the US as the cellular technology is not widely used outside the US.
Guide to have a “local” mobile phone
1. Confirm that pre-paid SIM cards are available in the countries you are visiting. They are available in most countries but may be difficult for foreigners to get in some (example: India).
2. Purchase a Unlocked Quad-Band GSM phone before you travel. It is important that the phone have the following (most do not);
- GSM – wireless technology used by most of the world and by AT&T and TMobile in the US
- Quad-band – each country and carrier may use a different frequency – Quad-band covers all 4 types used around the world
- Unlocked – many carriers sell their phones locked so they may not be used by other carriers
You can find phones on Amazon, eBay, and a variety of questionable websites. Expect to pay $50 to $200 depending the phone features and if it is used or not.
3. When you are in-country, look to buy a Pre-Paid SIM card. Plan ahead by using the Store Finder function on a local carrier website. Examples
- US – TMobile provides at stores and box stores like WalMart – $10 give you a SIM card + 10 minutes of talk time. Additional talk time can be purchased for between 10 cents and 30 cents a minute.
- other
4. Insert the SIM card in your phone. Make sure you have a simple conversion plug so your cell-phone charger works in the country you are traveling.
Remember, calling back to your home country will be expensive. Use Skype for international calls.