Cell Phone Tips
More and more travelers are using mobile phones in Europe. How does your US phone work in Europe? Have you found any great deals for buying or renting a phone once you arrive?
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Thanks for all the excellent tips here.
We decided to try cellomobile.com for our trip,a nd we will also use skype where possible.
Rick
Plattsburgh, NY USA 02/06/2012
Call Travels
While traveling abroad, I used several services, including Prepaid Calling Card, one of which is Nexogy.com. They have many access code around the world and you can use your cell phone or home number when at home to call international for pennies on the dollar. I also use Skype with my smart phones and FaceTime when you and recipient both have Iphones via WiFi
JV
Fort Lauderdale, FL, FL USA 01/28/2012
Keep your old number while abroad
If you are traveling for a while like studying abroad and currently not in contract with any cellular providers and would like to keep your old number when you get back, try porting your number to google voice. It cost around $20 and it keep your number for 9 months. You can then port your number out of google voice when you get back. This way, you save money by not paying mandatory plan like data.
Jay
Towson, MD USA 01/20/2012
Cell phones in Spain
If you want NO hassle and a phone that works while in Spain, use http://www.onspanishtime.com/
We rented a smart phone last year with unlimited data and calling at $1/minute. They delivered the phone to our hotel and we left it at the front desk the day we left. Fantastic! I think that it cost about 60 Euros--expensive, but we didn't waste any time in a phone store.
Redmon
Knoxville, Tn USA 01/19/2012
Cell Service
When in Western Europe I use a international cell sim from Mobal Communications. They have great customer service and help desk. The per minuet cost was very competitive and NO roaming charges.
Leland
Los Angeles, Calif USA 01/17/2012
sim card from cellomobile was a real money saver.
See you all next year in Rome!
Leanna
Milton, NJ USA 01/12/2012
Me and my my wife, we traveld to turkey last week and had excellent service with cellular mobile (cellomobile.com) and we had service everywhere
Even our guide was using our phone once when his phone had service problems
Ken
St. Louis, MO USA 12/29/2011
Cello
I'm very thankful to all here with great advice.
I found like most people here that the Cello mobile international cell phone package was my best friend.
Me and my my husband were traveling through Italy Greece and Turkey and service was excellent.
Liz
SD USA 12/18/2011
Piccell Wireless for Italy
Great post. I used Piccell Wireless while I was in Italy. You get a local italian SIM with a basic phone. All went great...and had free incoming calls, SMS, cheap to USA. No way would I pay At&t $1/minute!
Jim
Boston, MA USA 12/13/2011
Use your cel phone in Europe
You can use your own phone when traveling to Europe! Call your mobile service provider (I use T-Mobile). Get someone in the corporate or business division; they tend to know much more than the average employee. Let them know you'll be traveling abroad and request an unlock code. They request the unlock code from the phone manufacturer and email it to you with easy to follow directions. They told me it would take up to two weeks, but I had my code within 24 hours. When you arrive in Europe, purchase a prepaid SIM card from a cel phone provider. Take your SIM card out (leave the data card in though, so you'll have your apps, etc.) and put the European SIM card in. Voila!
P.S. Your smart phone will be able to pick up free wifi if it's unlocked... there's free wifi EVERYWHERE in western Europe.
Janet
Dallas, TX USA 12/08/2011
I wish I would have found this site earlier this year because I got burned with one of the cell phone rental companies.
This time I used cello mobile and they did exactly what they promised to do, no secret fees, service was excellent, I highly recommend them to anybody that needs reliable service and mobility.
Sue
Lincoln, NH USA 11/29/2011
Cell phones
I also used Cello phones, but was unhappy with the final billing. When I had inquired as to why there would be additional charges, I did not receive a response and the fees added up for being late. Although they claimed to have sent a response, I never received one (even checked the spam /junk folder). So I had to pay an extra 100.00 that I had not budgeted for.. I suggest buying or using another company.
Velia
Bonita, CA USA 11/29/2011
Don't rent from EZROAM
I rented a phone from EZROAM for my recent trip; all went well until I ran out of minutes; even though I had signed up for "autoload" when the balance of minutes fell below $10. I must have called the company twenty times to try to get more minutes; they NEVER answered the phone, and NEVER returned messages. Poorest customer service I've ever encountered.
Terri
Quilcene, WA USA 11/28/2011
Skype
My Blackberry Curve has a locked SIM card and did not work in Europe. Cell phones were too expensive for me. So I used Skype and paid very little to call from my computer. I also used it for free video calls.
Raven
Boston, MA USA 11/26/2011
Call In Europe
I bought a phone, with a French SIM card, in 2008 from callineurope.com and have used it on 5 trips to many countries in Western Europe and in Greece. I have been very happy with the service -- the coverage has been excellent.
Don
Albuquerque, NM USA 11/15/2011
I really had a good time in Italy this past summer, I was traveling all over Italy with my partner, and we had a blast!
Thanks to the Cello cell phone company mentioned here I really saved a lot on my talking charges.
Paula
Lehi, UT USA 11/14/2011
I have used mobal.com in the past. Although their service is great, their rates are very excessive.
James
Jackson, MS USA 11/08/2011
International Phone Service
Unfortunately, our U.S. mobile phone equipment and carrier do not provide service overseas. As a result, we researched the possibility of purchasing a phone just for our international travels. We found Mobal Phone (www.mobal.com) to be first rate. Not only was the equipment, services (including voice mail) and per minute usage price what we were looking for at a reasonable price (we got a phone on sale for only $29!), but the customer service provided for purchasing and assisting us with our new phone were exemplary. You only pay for the call time used, so it is a very reasonable way to make and receive phone calls while overseas. We highly recommend it!
David & Marlene Simpson
Redmond, OR USA 10/31/2011
Cell Phone Tips
I brought my own cell phone with us to Rome and then a 7 day Med cruise (Sicily, Malta, Turkey & Crete). We have AT&T service and for a $5.00 charge this gave us a roaming rate of 0.99 per min. It was worth having my own phone with all my contacts and less of a hassle learning the use of a new phone.
Michael F.
Wentzville, MO USA 10/29/2011
Hey Alex,
Had same thing during their Jewish holiday week, but was given excellent service by email, technical support was never closed.
Glad I went with Cellomobile.com, saved money and was hassle free.
Paul
Albuquerque, NM USA 10/27/2011
Cellomobile
Cellomobile [INVALID] my experience thus far: Ordering was easy, phone arrived on time. Tried to test it at home, unsuccessful. Called support office during business hours, was told, Oh, Sorry, Jewish holiday, send an email to our customer service. Sent email, received automated reply, Oh, sorry, Jewish holiday, we're closed for the next TEN DAYS. Hahahaha! So now I have a phone, don't know whether or not it works, and my trip is in three days.
Alex
Alameda, CA USA 10/14/2011
Only had positive experience with cellomobile. The delivery was quick and efficient a week before my trip and the support people were fantastic.
Priya
West Hartford, CT USA 09/20/2011
I found a very good promo code to use for cellomobile.com which takes 20% off from the rental of a phone but its only valid if you travel I think for 15 days and more
It's -1520- promo code
Beth
Paramus, NJ USA 09/15/2011
I had a great time in France thanks to advice found here.
I also took the advice of many fellow travelers and got a cell phone from cellomobile it was great and worked fine!
Liz
Atlanta, GA USA 09/12/2011
Thanks for all the great advice I got from this board I rented a Blackberry for my journey across Europe it was very affordable and coverage was great even in very remote places.
Lionel
Chazy, NY USA 09/11/2011
Another happy customer
We took 2 different cell phones from 2 different companies on our recent trip to Ireland and the United Kingdom we had a nightmare with one company that uses an Estonian number, however the second phone that we took from cello mobile.com was a blessing. The service was loud and clear and also we had service even in remote Northern Ireland which I was very surprised.
Thanks for all the recommendations here.
Almost forgot to mention about their excellent customer service!
And shipping was every reasonable.
Gerald
Moncton, NB Canada 08/28/2011
free calls from magic jack
I use Magic Jack on my Computer to call anywhere in Europe through WIFI to the USA. It's allways been free both ways and great reception.
Mike
Auburndale, Florid USA 08/11/2011
I agree with Aria, but this is only when traveling to a single country and you own a GSM cell phone, otherwise get a SIM card still at home or rent a phone.
I will be trying cellomobile.com like mentioned below, and I will report back with my findings, so far all my questions were answered in a timely manner, and their customer service is very helpful.
Shipping $10 is also very affordable, because they use Fedex or UPS can't remember now.
Bob
Schroon Lake, NY USA 08/01/2011
Unlocked GSM Phone & Local Sim
The best way is to get an unlocked quadband GSM phone, or if you are on a GSM carrier such as AT&T or T-Mobile, have them unlock your phone, but make sure your phone is a quadband so it will work on the GSM networks abroad. All you have to do when you travel is purchase a local sim card for a prepaid service for the country you are visiting and you can get very inexpensive phone service. That's what I've done and it works quite well. For calling home, skype app on phone works well for that.
Aria
New York, NY USA 07/31/2011
I used Skype on my trip when abroad last year came out very inexpensive but was very big hassle, even places with internet were blocking VOIP calls on Skype, and I also had a family emergency, but couldn't call right away and really regretted not having a way of communicating.
I am currently looking at various cell phone companies like Travel cell and cello mobile (the one many people here recommend) and I see that it's indeed very inexpensive at least to have one for emergency use.
I am leaning more towards buying than renting because we travel quite a bit, at least once a year.
Tim
London, ON Canada 07/25/2011
I also used Cellomobile.com for my recent trip to Taiwan and was very impressed with the service and speed of delivery.
Shipping was very affordable at $10.
I will use them again for my trip to Jordan and Greece in winter 2012.
Thanks Rick for all the great tips you offer, I am a BIG fan of yours.
Andy
Excelsior, MN USA 07/24/2011
Regards from Greece
First off...I am a very a happy customer of CelloMobile.com, and my referral came directly from this site.
CelloMobile.com in my opinion has the best customer service team and best rates.
Some customers could think that they own the world or when they hear something they don't like, they hear it as being rude.
I was touring Greece and the service and reception was great. My only problem was that the instructions is printed in a very old fashioned way, not on a glossy durable paper, but who cares...
Shipping with Fedex was only $10
Tara
Cedar Rapids, IA USA 07/22/2011
CelloMobile
I just wanted to add a comment (which is unfortunately not altogether positive) regarding Cello Mobile. While the overall service was adequate and cost-effective, I found the shipping costs to be excessive, and I also had an issue with my invoice. When I called their help line the technician was very rude. I attempted to express this dissatisfaction through their website (and a 3rd-party reviewer, www.resellerratings.com) but my review has not appeared on their site -- I wonder if Cello Mobile has editing power over their listing on resellerratings.com.
Dave
Saint Louis, MO USA 07/20/2011
I agree
I agree with Emily 100% as my sim card from cello mobile is my best companion when I travel.
For short term travlers I would suggest a rental phone which is much easier.
James
La Jolla, CA USA 07/18/2011
I bought a quad band phone on ebay, and went with Rebelfone for the sim card rental. This worked fine for me as I did not want to make a lot of calls back to the states, but wanted to be able to call within Italy. I could not find many reviews of Rebelfone, but I took the chance, and it all worked out fine.
USA 07/17/2011
rather a global SIMS card
Don't repeat my mistake back in 2005 when I was traveling across Europe and was thinking to buy a local SIM card in each country.
1. Phone number constantly changed 2. I always left money behind as I crossed the border 3. OMG, language barrier, they were just not understanding what I am talking about 4. I had to look for a cell phone store whenever I crossed borders 5. They never supplied me any kind of call record, once I had I think it was Italy where my 20 Euros depleted on a 3 minute phone call.
Please do not repeat my mistakes, I have gotten a SIMS card since from cellomobile like recommended here by many fellow travlers and I am a happy camper since, they speak my language show me my detail calls made and received. I couldn't wish for a better company to deal with.
Emily Carter
Los Angeles, CA USA 07/17/2011
Using Smartphone in Germany and Ireland
Howdy fellow ETTBDers. I've benefited greatly from Rick's books and the Graffiti Wall and wanted to share my recent experiences.
I have an unlocked iPhone 3GS (you cannot change SIMs unless your iPhone is unlocked, Google for more info) but this information will also benefit other smartphone users. As you probably know, using a smartphone in Europe can be very expensive. Here is how to reduce the costs by using paypaid SIM cards.
The cheapest option that I found is to buy a SIM in each country. Apparently there are also plans that in multiple countries so that is worth checking into.
You may want check your data usage prior to leaving to see how much data you will need. 500 MB is probably good for two weeks if you don't watch video. Calling will not be cheap with prepaid so keep that to a minimum.
Phones usually have a data counter that can be reset. Do this when you get your SIM card so you can keep track of your data usage for that SIM card.
Using iPhone without a data plan ================================ It is possible to use a smartphone in Europe without a dataplan by using WiFi in a hotel, cafe, etc. Look for hotels with free WiFi and you will be able to use email, etc. when you get back to the hotel.
On the iPhone put your phone in "Airplane Mode" and then turn on WiFi. This will turn-off calling and dataplan data and only use free WiFi data. GPS apparently will work albeit slower or less accurate. My experience was without a data plan GPS locating was slow or didn't work.
For maps, etc. consider an offline map application.
Germany phone & data ==================== I used Tchibo in Germany but I can't recommend them based on my experience. Tchibo is like a coffee store plus a tiny Ikea (discount items). They sell mobile service too.
Ask for Prepaid SIM card. They will want an address in Germany. Apparently people have used hotel addresses.
Once you have your SIM card you can top-up "guthaben" to add more money to it. Purchase this at one of the many Tchibos around. You will get a receipt with an authorization number and directions on how to call and activate. Despite the directions being in German it is easy to use. Dial the access number, press 1, enter the authorization code followed by "#".
Some report O2 top-ups will work but Tchibo told me they don't. YMMV. Tchibo SIMs use the O2 mobile network. Also I found the data speed slow outside of cities. It is probably better to use a different carrier that has more 3G coverage.
Tchibo has two nice data plans.
L E 9.95 for 500 MB / 30 days XL E 19.95 for 5000 MB / 30 days
Either call (they may not speak English) or see here for directions
http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Tchibo
Ireland phone & data ==================== After some research I decided on 3 Mobile. They have great coverage and also a good data deal.
E 4.99 for 500 MB / 30 days
Go into a 3 Mobile phone store and they will take care of you.
Buy at least a E 10 prepaid card and you will get the SIM free, 500 MB, and about E 5 left over. :-)
I found phone and data coverage was good (3G) from Dublin to Galway to Dingle.
Noel
San Jose, CA USA 07/10/2011
+1
+1 for Cellomobile I used them and am/was very happy!, just felt sharing it with you guys.
Beth
Las Vegas, NV USA 05/09/2011
mobile cell phone
Avoid Mobal.com cell service! I have only had my phone for 1 week and the customer service has been very unsatisfactory. I was sent an incorrect charger, called and a new one was sent and I got another $10 shipping charge for their mistake.
Agents on the phone have been curt and less than friendly. Just glad I found out early on and am cancelling the service. Now I am spending a large portion of my time just trying to get the phone returned and all refunds due.
Lynn
Beaverton, Oregon USA 05/04/2011
Avoid Telestial: Rip off!
Two years ago I bought a Telestial SIM card for a multi-country trip to Europe. It *failed* for almost all calls except customer service, & to my horror those calls were billed to my pre-paid minutes. Scam scam scam. I've since used country-specific prepaid SIMs purchased after arrival to use w my unlocked cellphone. Most airports have kiosks, or magazine vendors, that sell SIMs.
Deborah
Portland, OR USA 04/23/2011
Yes, I agree!
I can also attest to all the great reviews here on cellomobile, they are very reliable and very good customer service.
Au revoir,
Jacques
Jacques
St. Hubert, QC Canada 04/11/2011
I am very happy with CelloMobile.com
I recently rented from CelloMobile.com a Blackberry for my trip to France and Italy, I was able to have unlimited emails and also used it as a GPS. I also was able to tether my laptop to it, so I had real mobility with me. I highly recommend CelloMobile.com for any traveler out there, they have regular cell phones too.
Tim
Candle, WY USA 03/31/2011
International Data Cards
I used to use Xcomglobal.com for data cards, but recently found a much better solution for me. I rented a Blackberry from CelloMobile.com, and they allow it to connect to my laptop as a modem, it is much more convenient for me this way, so I can have real mobile convenience. Also, a big deal of the Blackberry from Cello Mobile is that it works even in multi countries, there is no need to change SIM cards for every country.
Brian
Smith, BC CA 03/31/2011
Skype app for iPhone 4
For those of you that have the iPhone 4, download the Skype App. With the new camera they installed on the front of the phone, you can use it to Video chat with others - without having to use Facetime. It's also great for just voice chatting on your phone as well.
Matt
Canada 03/24/2011
China Phone
I just came back from China with CelloMobile.com SIM card and it worked great. I only paid like 29 cents a minute. I always use them for all my trips and it works great.
Nancy Secrode
Billings, MT USA 02/02/2011
cell phones in Poland
We went to Poland in October. I had my cell phone unlocked and we bought a prepaid Polish sim card for about $25. It allowed us to call various places within Poland during the month we were there and to call the States about 3 times before we we ran out of money. Very awesome as some others we talked to used the plan from the states and spent much more! We could also have added more minutes for not much money.
Jean
Portland, Or USA 12/27/2010
verizon loaner phone
I used the Verizon loaner phone as well. It worked well everywhere I went and the rates were reasonable for the comfort of knowing that you have a usable cell phone the moment you get there. A word of caution though, make sure you change the service over to the loaner phone a few days before you leave and that the charger works. I had received a faulty charger that wouldn't work at all. Fortunately, my travel buddy had the same loaner phone and I was able to use her charger.
claudette
HB, Ca USA 12/13/2010
Verizon Global Loaner Phone
We took advantage of Verizon's global service when we traveled to nine different European countries in July and August (2010). Verizon charged only $9.99, plus reasonable per-minute rates. We got a list of the rates when making the arrangements. They sent us global "loaner" phones via FedEx before we left the U.S.; we FedExed the phones back to Verizon when we returned. As another traveler mentioned, people could call us at no additional charge, because the phones used our U.S. Verizon numbers. We could transfer our contacts as part of the activation process. This worked beautifully and allowed us to be in contact with family for emergencies, etc. I waited to post until we'd received the bill, but there were no extra charges. We were impressed!
Sandy
Portland, Oregon USA 10/06/2010
A Phone for Europe
I went to Germany recently and took a EuroBuzz cell with me. It not only worked well around Germany but the rates were a flat rate so I didn't end up having to sell my house when I got back.
David Entomb
Baltimore, MD USA 09/30/2010
Now Finally Happy!
Now Finally Happy. I now use my dear CelloMobile SIM and GoSIM SIM card (which is actually less reliable but serves it's purpose) for my worldwide travels, and boy do i travel a lot. Get loose of those old age scammers that want to rip you in two.
Cindy Markowitz
New Haven, CT USA 09/21/2010
cell phone rental for Italy
I am preparing a comparison chart of the various companies that provide cell phones/service for travel in Italy. The best prices were with a company called Planet Omni. HOWEVER, when I called them they told me that the prices I saw on the website were no longer valid and was quoted prices that were HIGHER than any of the other companies I had looked at. Wasted about 30 minutes of my time. DO NOT DEAL WITH PLANET OMNI OR THEIR SISTER COMPANY TELESTIAL. Debbie
Debbie Hunt-Scribner
Trumbull, ct USA 09/15/2010
Cell Phones Using Credit Cards with Automatic Payments
We used a cell phone service where we purchased a cell phone with a SIM card that had a German cell phone number. You have to agree to provide a credit card number with the phone charges being automatically charged to the card. We did this for the past two years with extended trips to Germany. The first year was fine with reasonably priced calls. However, the second year, we got hit with two calls, made within seconds of each other that showed 60 minutes each. The charge for each call was $195. We did not make those calls but we had provided our credit card and the calls were automatically charged to our account. The cell phone service checked with the German provider who asserted that our phone made the calls. That was not true. The service graciously paid for one of the calls and we paid for the other. You have no recourse at that point. From now on, we will buy a SIM card with prepaid minutes rather than subjecting ourselves to that again. It was disheartening and required lots of time and effort to try to resolve it.
Bob Fernandez
Fernandina Beach, FL USA 09/04/2010
Oh No!
I have to admit...I used to travel with my mobal phone without knowing that anything else existed, I was paying crazy prices per call, but who cares I can make calls...Until I found other competitors to them which made me think how can these idiots even be in business. I am now a big fan of cellomobile.com, they serve me well.
Martin Weller
Williamsburg, VA USA 08/18/2010
Fonerent
I recently went on a trip to South Africa and used Fonerent. They are local to me and delivered next day to my house. I wasn't certain the $2 a day would be worth it until my colleague got his bill. He spent $800 in a week and me just $110. We do the same job!! Recommend them but just take the standard phone not a smart phone would be my advice.
David
Paramus, NJ USA 08/09/2010
French SIM card
I used a service Call in Europe while in France. I didn't want to go the pre-paid route and wanted a cheap SIM card to make local calls and calls back to the US. Worked well and cost overall was low
Mark
New York, NY USA 07/27/2010
WIFI phone
During my daily search for quadband phones on Craigslist I happened upon a Samsung Katalyst. I bought the phone after settling on a price of $20 with the seller. As it turns out the phone has WIFI which allows me to call anywhere in the world using the internet where a WIFI signal is available at my regular per minute rate on T-Mo prepaid. At this time its 8 cents per minute. I've tested it on my home router and in the parking lot of the local Starbucks....it works
DDDWho
Excelsior Springs, Mo USA 07/20/2010
Skype
We debated what kind of unlocked quad band phone to buy before leaving for Europe. Despite our consternation and confusion, we've ended up using a Skype account. We're in The Netherlands and find that the charge is around 2 cents a minute. The charges will vary by country, but most of Europe seems to be around 3 cents per minute. My husband used this Skype account for a 3 hour conference call to the US and we spent less than $5. The account is refillable and you can even set up a Skype phone number so others can call you. We've used the Skype account to call the US as well as Germany and France so far. For future trips, we will only use Skype.
Mary
Gulfport, FL USA 07/18/2010
Very small phone from cellomobile.com
I recently rented from cellomobile.com, I like their service, but their phones are too small for me. I like to hold a phone in my hands, and not fear it falling out. But anyways I enjoyed my trip, what the heck!
Jim Sublett
Cedar Rapids, IA USA 07/05/2010
International calling cards
I just returned from a 2 week trip to Europe. I have a pay-as-you-go cell phone in the states that I didn't think would work, so we just thought we would use the international calling cards that we would bye there. Bad idea! We were able to find a card (after many attempts in London) and used it there ok. But, for Paris, Rome and Salzburg, payphones did not accept calling cards of anykind - only collect calls and credit cards. Let's just say we only called home to verify our ride at the airport and it was very expensive! Get a cell phone!
AS
Racine, WI USA 06/30/2010
Cell Phone in Italy
I bought a SIM card to use with my Verizon phone last August when I went to Italy with my family. While the sim card was pretty pricy, the per-minute rate calling in the country or back home was much cheaper than using my verizon service would have been. And, having a couple of cell phones and blackberries made it easy to my family to coordinate days when we didn't spend every minute together. I've travelled to Europe several times in the past without getting a phone. It's not a necessity but it can be useful. I got mine from Call-In-Europe.
Diana
San Francisco, CA USA 06/29/2010
Telestial SIM card
We purchased online a prepaid SIM Card/Telephone from Telestial for use in Italy. It was to be self activating upon the first use in country. Upon our first use we recieved a long message in Italian. A friendly Hotel Receptionist translated it for us. Informing us that we must present our Passport at a local office and fill out forms to use the device. In a 3 week trip we were unable to find the particular company. In the future we will purchase the necessary items locally vice on line.
Richard
Oak Harbor , Wa USA 06/26/2010
Global Cell Phone Rental for Verizon Customers
If you would like to take a cell phone abroad and you are a Verizon Customer, Verizon offers a rental service for global phones for travelers who will be out of the country for 30 days or less. The service costs $9.99 for the rental and shipping cost. If customers add the global value plan ($4.99 for a month) to their current phone plan, most calls will only cost about $.99 per minute (see Verizon list of costs for specific countries) to make outgoing calls, $ .50 to send texts, and $ .05 to receive texts. The global value plan is put into effect when the phone is activited, and the plan is pro-rated, so the user is only charged from the day the phone is activated until the day the phone is deactivated; thus, the user may end up paying less than the $4.99 for the month of the global value plan. It takes two business days to receive the phone via FedEx (signature required) delivery and users can activate the phone by calling Verizon or by going to a local Verizon store. Additionaly, the Verizon customer can keep his or her current phone number. To arrange for a phone rental, Verizon customers should call Verizon Customer Service and ask to speak to the Gobal Services department about Global phone rental.
Jennifer
Pittsburgh, PA USA 06/13/2010
Mobal followup
Beware of snap judgements without researching what you are buying. Mobal is expensive and not for casual use, but gave us excellent service while in Paris and Wales. Check it out before you decide. I do not own any of their stock!
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 06/04/2010
Mobal followup
The phone worked very well. Called TN from the west coast of Wales and reception was like "next door." Free texting anytime and free incoming calls while in UK was nice. Not for everyday, casual use, but great for my purposes. Recommended.
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 06/03/2010
Cellphone Tips
I got a Verizon Samsung Renown last year but it was having trouble keeping the signal so Verizon sent me the Escapde free of charge. I had it unlocked via Global Support and can put in any SIM Card from Europe and it will work. It has both CDMA and all GSM bands so I can use it anywhere.
Another feature that you can use to disable text messaging data etc is Airplane Mode. If you don't want to receive calls or text and other data charges switch your phone to "Airplane Mode" it will turn off all connections with the network and you can still use your phone to check your calendar appointments, listen to music etc.
When going on a museum tour you can download the MP3 files to your phone switch on Airplane Mode and hear the tour. It will also save your battery too.
Daniel
Saratoga, CA USA 05/22/2010
sims
Just got my Railpass through Rick Steves and Eurail provides a European sims deal for $20. You can sign up for automatic re-charging also.
Keith Houchen
Soquel, Ca USA 05/15/2010
Stay away from mobal!!
Stay away from Mobal, they are a ripoff....I use either Telestial.com or CellMobile.com for my international cell phoen use.......Mobal charges 10 times the rates others do.
Howard Bones
Arlington, VA USA 05/09/2010
cell phone and phone card France/UK
I purchased a Mobal global phone for $99 and got a $40 call credit. It does not require changing of SIM card with changes of country. Texting in is always free and calls in are free in the UK. Otherwise, it is expensive and probably should be for emergency use only and this is how I plan to use it. As to a phone card: RailEurope has a phone card charging 6 and 5 cents a minute for France and UK respectively. Because of the offer I received I was able to get $15 of call time for $5. When we get back I will give a followup report on how well the phone and the card worked.
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 05/07/2010
Been There Done That. Finally found a great solution
I am using cellomobile.com, for my business employees, they have the best service I have ever experienced. I have used many companies for my company in the past, however they all use a service that has some kind of call back, which I find is very annoying, and it also sucks!. They also sell the callback, but they have an option to get the regular stuff. I am loving it!!
John Graham
Mitown, CO USA 05/06/2010
ONESIM card
I have purchased a ONESIM phone card and am very frustrated!!
I am in Australia and have unlocked my iphone but can't get the thing to work. When I call a number the callback gives me no time to accept before it hangs up. The help from ONESIM is useless when they are only open business hours & I am the other side of the globe!!!
Costly mistake??? I leave for Italy next week and hope I can get this fixed.
Dave
Point Lonsdale, Vic AUSTRALIA 05/03/2010
Warning for TIM card in Rome
I had been using a TIM card in Italy for a few weeks and went in to recharge my minutes. I put 50 euros in cash on my card. The next day it didn't work. Frustrated I went back and after about 45 minutes was told that they put my 50 euros on someone else's phone number. They refused to cancel the money, or to switch it to my number. Finally, they said someone from customer service would call me, but they never did. I asked fellow students about this and it is known problem that had happened to others. Even if they put money on a number the does not exist the will not change anything. I switched to the Wind card and have had no problems. Double check everything when you put more money on, especially when using cash, and don't let them rush you out the door until you know everything is correct.
Elizabeth
Austin, TX USA 04/29/2010
Verizon Overseas
I believe that the Verizon international phone rental service has been discontinued. Too bad, because it worked well for me in the past.
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 04/19/2010
Cell phones
I purchased a Tmobile phone in London which worked in Europe but not here in the US. It worked very well both in the UK and Belgium.
Tom Reiser
Chicago, IL USA 03/19/2010
iPhone
To disable roaming on an iPhone go into settings and select "Airport Mode", and a small icon of a airplane will appear in the upper left corner of the screen. Consider that the iPhone also has WiFi capability, so in theory you can tap into any free WiFi source with the iPhone and surf the web(don't know if these are widely available in europe). The Blackberrys do not have WiFi. Its a little omplicated to get the iPhone WiFi to work, but might be worth exploring. For unlocking a Blackberry, I used-- gsmphonesource dot com, worked fine good price. Also, using a "retractable travel" USB/iPhone cable saves space and weight (rather than an electrical charger).
Ernesto
New York, NY USA 03/05/2010
International Phone Solution for Verizon Customers
My husband and I are traveling to Italy and leaving our daughters with grandparents. We use Verizon in the US. Verizon is offering a global program that allows you to borrow a phone for 30-days for $9.99. This covers their 2-day Fed Ex shipping to you and the return sticker for you to return the phone. You keep your same local cell phone number and you don't get charged if somebody calls and you DONT pick up the phone. The only charges you incur are each time you place or pick up a phone call ($1.29 per minute for travel in Italy), or text messaging ($.50 for sending a text and $.05 for receiving a text). The real plus for us is that there is no charge to our parents because they are calling our local Verizon phone number. You can extend the 30-day phone, but not sure what the cost would be. There are no deposits required, but you cannot purchase insurance on the phone. If you lose or damage the phone, it will cost you $199. Thought this was a great solution to our international phone issue!!!
N. Giacalone
San Diego, CA USA 03/03/2010
Heartily recommend gosim.com for phones and SIM cards
gosim.com is fantastic. I'm in the US, but dealt with their UK office to get a phone and SIM card to my son who is in Brussels for the semester.
I turned to gosim.com because my original choice, acetelecomstore.com, appears to have dropped off the face of the planet. I ordered a phone and SIM card from acetelecomstore.com before we left the US but my order never went through, emails and phone calls were never answered. So, no phone before we left for Brussels.
Elaine
Bellaire, TX USA 02/09/2010
Northern Europe Pre Paid SIM Cards
Just got back from Scandinavia...
I purchased an old, unlocked quad-band phone of eBay for $20. When I arrived at Stockholm C, I walked out and across the street was The Phone House. The guy there was helpful...hooked me up with Comviq Amigos plan, which is a pre-paid plan that you can top-up via phone/card/internet. The SIM card was free with 100 SEK top-up, and the cost is .65 SEK/minute (about 9 cents) to call abroad, with free calls to other Comviq or Tele2 users within Sweden.
The instructions were in Swedish, but the guy interpreted the basics for me, and I was able to log on to the internet and use their english language website for more details...I had no trouble, even when we went over to Norway (though the roaming rate is more like $1.25/minute--cheaper to just pop into a convenience store in Norway and buy another SIM). Even though the card worked all over Scandinavia (we even went over to Helsinki with no problem), you will have to dial a special code to call from outside of Sweden. Again, for any extended stays, it would be easier to just buy another pre-paid SIM, since they are so cheap.
Good Luck!
0re0
Middletown, DE USA 02/07/2010
Purchasing a Phone for Europe
Anyone buy phones from callineurope or EuroBuzz? Are they reliable?
We are travelling to Spain, France, and Italy.
Sandy
Chicago, IL USA 01/12/2010