Going Abroad? Pack The Cell Phone

Answers To Basic Questions About Which Phones And Carriers Offer Service Abroad … And How Much You'll Pay

(CNET) 
I've heard horror stories about iPhone users who have had outrageously high phone bills after their trips abroad. Why does this happen?

The iPhone was made for data, and as a result it can cause some problems for international travelers, because data rates are typically much higher than voice rates. For example, the iPhone's visual voice mail works over the data network. So when iPhone subscribers receive a voice mail while traveling and their phone is on, that voice mail message will be charged a data rate, regardless of whether that iPhone subscriber checked his voice mail. If iPhone users are having their e-mail pushed to them all the time, this can also jack up the price of their service. And streaming video of any kind over the cellular network will rack up data charges very quickly regardless of whether you're on a smartphone or using a 3G data card.


What can I do to make sure this isn't a problem for me?

Here are some suggestions from AT&T sprinkled with a couple of suggestions of my own.

Turn data roaming "OFF": Be sure to download and install the latest version of iPhone software from iTunes. By default, this setting for international data roaming will be in the "OFF" position. To turn data roaming "ON/OFF" tap on Settings>General>Network>Data Roaming

Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE: Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels, and restaurants to browse the Web or check e-mail. You can even use voice over IP services, such as Skype to make phone calls.

Turn fetch new data "OFF": Check e-mail and sync contacts and calendars manually instead of having the data pushed to your iPhone automatically. This way you can control the flow of data coming to your iPhone. To turn off the Auto-Check functionality tap on Settings>Fetch New Data, change Push to "OFF" and Select to Fetch Manually

Consider purchasing an international data package: Purchasing an international data package can significantly reduce the cost of using data abroad. AT&T now offers four discount international data packages.

Reset the usage tracker to zero: When you arrive overseas access the usage tracker in the general settings menu and select reset statistics. This will enable you to track your estimated data usage. To reset Usage Tracker to Zero tap on Settings>General>Usage>Reset.

Do not download video on your iPhone or laptop while traveling. This will help you avoid some of the most expensive data charges. If you want to stream a movie, music video, or TV show on your phone, go to a Wi-Fi hot spot and download movies over that network.


Are these huge data charges a problem for other smartphone users like BlackBerry users or phones running Windows Mobile?

Neither the BlackBerry nor Windows Mobile phones use visual voice mail, so that is not a concern on these devices. But streaming video on these devices could also rack up some hefty data charges as well. So be careful.

As for downloading e-mail or receiving pushed e-mail, Windows Mobile users should also be careful. These phones also allow users to turn off the push email function. But BlackBerry users don't have to worry as much, because Research In Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry, has developed a very efficient way of delivering e-mail to end users that doesn't eat up a lot of bandwidth.


Are there any other options that may be cheaper than using my U.S. carrier's service?

Yes, you can use an unlocked GSM handset when you're traveling abroad. Simply put in a SIM card from a local carrier to make inexpensive local phone calls while you're in-country as well as cheap texting to other cell phones also in the same country in which you're traveling.


How do I get an unlocked phone?

You can buy unlocked phones from some retailers and on various Web sites, such as Amazon or eBay. But if you are an AT&T or T-Mobile USA customer, you can also unlock the phone you have. Simply call your provider's customer support number. (This applies to most GSM phones except the iPhone, which AT&T will not provide an unlock code for.)

Give them the model number of your phone, and they will send you a special code that you will use to unlock your phone when you put in the new SIM card. Once your phone is unlocked, it's unlocked for good and can be used on future trips. Make sure to call your wireless operator well in advance.

Sometimes it can take as long as a week for customer support to send an unlock code. Again, make sure that your phone is a tri-band or quad-band phone that will operate in the frequencies used in the country you're visiting. Japan and South Korea will require special handsets.


What if I am a Verizon Wireless or Sprint Nextel customer? Can I unlock these phones and use a local SIM card?

If you have a CDMA-only or iDEN phone, the answer is no. These devices don't use SIM cards, and they do not operate on a GSM network. But if you have a world phone from Verizon or Sprint that also has a GSM radio, these can also be unlocked. Call your carrier and tell them you need the unlock code and they should send it to you.


What are the drawbacks to using a local SIM card?

Well, the most obvious drawback is that you have to find a store that sells local SIM cards once you get to your destination. Local mobile carrier retail locations will sell SIM cards. But some local grocery stores or convenience stores may only sell cards to "top up" the minutes on your phone. The second drawback is that you will be assigned a new local phone number. So this means that friends and family calling you from the U.S. will have to make an international call to reach you. This also means that international calling rates apply to you as well if you call from the country where you're traveling to the U.S.

Also some features may not be available on your phone, such as voice mail, call-waiting, e-mail and Web surfing. And you will not be able to receive calls, voice mails, text messages, or e-mails sent to your U.S. phone number while using another carrier's SIM card.

That said, using a local SIM can save you money, especially if you are using it to make local calls. Texting is usually the cheapest method of communication. And SIM cards can be saved and used again if you travel to the same country again.


Are there any other useful tips I should know?

Here are some helpful tips that my colleague Kent German cited in his Quick Guide to using your phone on international trips:

Calls to voice mail and the operator will incur all applicable fees, but calls to your carrier's customer service are typically free.

The method for making local calls in each country will vary, so make sure you know how to do so. Also, remember that emergency-dial numbers will be different from 911.

When in a foreign country, you will have to use the appropriate country and area codes for calls back to the States or a third country. To call the U.S. dial 001.

Your phone should automatically search for and select a network in each country, but you may have to do this yourself through your phone's menus. You also can try turning your phone off and on again.

Free mobile-to-mobile minutes on the same carrier usually are not offered outside the United States.

When roaming, the name of the local carrier will appear on your phone's display.

Roaming charges will show up on your normal wireless bill, though they may take several weeks to do so.

Not all data features will work the same way when you're abroad.

Don't forget an electrical-plug adapter for your charger.


Kent German, a CNET Reviews senior editor, contributed to this report.

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Add a Comment

by JulesBrynner May 28, 2009 7:45 PM EDT

I find it interesting to learn that T-Mobile is headquarters out of Germany, because I have been amazed at the current T-Moblie TV ad. An unbalanced T-Mobile user parks by the side of a highway, takes out a chain-saw and cuts down a telephone poll causing the phone lines to go down. Wow! What kind of messages is T-Mobile fostering in our country?

Reply to this comment

by rational_1 May 27, 2009 8:53 AM EDT

Just the thought of some hypermanic cellphone junkie getting tapped for a multi-thousand dollar phone bill brought a smile to my face. Leave the POS at home and enjoy your vacation!

Reply to this comment

by DefendLiberty May 27, 2009 12:00 AM EDT

What a complete ripoff. $4 a minute? The article is written as though that is just A-OK. Might as well be an industry advertisement.

Reply to this comment

by jsf14 May 26, 2009 4:00 PM EDT

Going for several months or more? Check the price of renting or buying a phone at your destination. This is especially true if you'll be making calls to phones within that country. In many countries cell phone use is cheaper (and may include more services) than in the US.

Reply to this comment

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[JulesBrynner]

I find it interesting to learn that T-Mobile is headquarters out of Germany, because I have been amazed at the current T-Moblie TV ad. An unbalanced T-Mobile user parks by the side of a highway, takes out a chain-saw and cuts down a telephone poll causing the phone lines to go down. Wow! What kind of messages is T-Mobile fostering in our country?

[rational_1]

Just the thought of some hypermanic cellphone junkie getting tapped for a multi-thousand dollar phone bill brought a smile to my face. Leave the POS at home and enjoy your vacation!

[DefendLiberty]

What a complete ripoff. $4 a minute? The article is written as though that is just A-OK. Might as well be an industry advertisement.

[jsf14]

Going for several months or more? Check the price of renting or buying a phone at your destination. This is especially true if you'll be making calls to phones within that country. In many countries cell phone use is cheaper (and may include more services) than in the US.