Issues with taking your mobile phone with you, and buying a phone, SIM card, or cellular data plan in another country.
35
votes
9answers
1k views
What are the best ways to avoid data roaming fees when travelling abroad?
I'm looking for data plans I can use while touring different countries within a region without having to worry about being eaten by roaming fees. If such plans exist at all, I suppose mostly big ...
18
votes
3answers
708 views
Are there Data-plan for travelers in the USA?
I intend to travel to the US for a month, and I would really like to use a lot of data traffic during the trip, for browsing, maps, Skype calls, etc. How can I do that? Should I buy a sim? Do I have ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
“Flight mode” phone use banned on Ryanair. Is this a worldwide phenomenon?
On a couple of recent flights with Ryanair I've noticed that they require phones to be turned off during the whole flight even if they are in the "flight mode". Pretty annoying that you can not use ...
15
votes
2answers
476 views
Is there a definitive reference guide to cell phone standards by country?
I have an AT&T iPhone 3GS, and am wondering if I should switch to something else for use when visiting other countries.
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Do American cellphones work in Europe?
I have a Virgin Mobile Pay as you go phone, is there any chance that will work in Hungary, Italy and Germany?
12
votes
2answers
472 views
Cell phones in Japan
What are the options for getting a smart phone up and running when travelling for a couple of weeks in Japan?
12
votes
3answers
319 views
What's a good alternative to Dopplr?
From the Dopplr website:
Dopplr is a service for smart
international travellers. Dopplr
members share personal and business
travel plans privately with their
networks, and exchange tips on ...
11
votes
5answers
8k views
Buying a SIM card at Heathrow
I'm flying to London and would like to get a UK SIM card as soon as I can. Is it possible to buy those at Heathrow airport? Should I buy one from there, or should I order it in advance instead and try ...
11
votes
7answers
463 views
What's the cheapest way to purchase data access for my verizon smartphone while traveling in Spain?
What's the cheapest way to purchase data access for my verizon smartphone while traveling in Spain? Voice minutes would be useful too, although data only would be ideal. Specifically, I'll be ...
11
votes
4answers
771 views
Cell phones must now be completely turned off on flights in Europe?
On a BMI flight from London Heathrow to Berlin Tegal at the start of Feb 2012 passengers were told cellphones were no longer allowed on at all during the flight(regardless of flight mode) due to new ...
11
votes
1answer
764 views
Are there prepaid mobile data plans in China?
When I was in the US I got a 3G data plan for the iPad which was only 25$ for 2 Gb which lasts a month.
I was wondering if there are any similar offerings in China or if its better to wait to get ...
10
votes
2answers
550 views
Charge iPhone in Europe
I currently charge my iPhone with a "regular" charger purchased in the U.S. Will this charger work in Europe?
10
votes
2answers
127 views
What equipment should I travel with to increase the odds of good internet and phone connectivity?
Getting decent internet and telephone coverage while traveling is not a given. I find that outside of urban areas many places I stay when traveling have unreliable internet connectivity, if any. ...
10
votes
4answers
351 views
Is it safe to buy-and-forget prepaid SIM card with internet tariff in Germany?
When you're geocaching, or using mobile maps for navigation, or simply you're internet addict :) you're likely to buy a prepaid SIM card for internet in your smartphone when you're in foreign country.
...
10
votes
4answers
123 views
Making calls from Romania
I am heading to Romania for work at the beginning of December. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the cheapest way to communicate in real time from Romania to the US? I am going to be taking my ...
10
votes
1answer
353 views
Cell phones in South Korea
What is the best way to get smart phone access when travelling a few days in South Korea? I am mostly interested in getting cheap data access (google maps...).
9
votes
3answers
439 views
Is it easier to unlock my phone and have it activated with a local provider in another country or to buy a local pay and talk phone?
I'll be traveling around Poland for six weeks and I want to keep in touch with friends and the people I'll meet during my stay.
I the SIM card with the phone I currently own now, which is a samsung ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Inexpensive way to use my US iPhone's data connection in Turkey?
I want to use my AT&T iPhone – specifically the data connection – while in Turkey in September.
What's the easiet, cheapest way to make my phone work in that country? How good is the service? ...
9
votes
2answers
429 views
The using of VPN on iPhone in China
I will be travelling to China this April (more specifically, I will be going to Chengdu).
As I would need to keep myself updated all the time, and I would need to access facebook and other websites ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
What's the cheapest way to call China from the US with an AT&T cell phone?
My girlfriend got a new job that requires frequent travel to Shanghai, China. She has a Chinese phone and sometimes has Internet access. Aside from Skype/Internet communications, what's the cheapest ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the options for a prepaid SIM card in Berlin?
I'll be staying in Berlin for one month and I have an unlocked iPhone (GSM) that I'd like to use while I'm here. What are my choices for SIM cards and packages that include data?
8
votes
4answers
14k views
Getting a SIM card (prepay) in India
Unlike in the UK and most of the European countries (where one can buy a SIM over the counter in any of the shops), getting a SIM in India is a tedious process. One has to provide a copy of ID proof ...
8
votes
1answer
356 views
Managing SIM cards from multiple countries
I've found myself amassing a collection of SIM cards from my travels to different countries, and it's starting to become unmanageable.
Currently, I'm using plastic bags. Each SIM card goes in its ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I buy a SIM card in Germany for a short duration?
I will be travelling to Germany for 9 days and I need a SIM card there as soon as I arrive at Frankfurt Airport. I can take a SIM from India with international roaming activated but that option seems ...
8
votes
2answers
702 views
Data connection while in Israel
Is there a cost effective way getting a data connection (sim card) for a mobile phone for 3 weeks while I am in Israel? So that I can read emails, and make use of google maps on my phone?
7
votes
3answers
392 views
Mobile providers and mobile internet in Thailand?
I'm traveling to Thailand for three weeks and I was hoping to get a local Sim card while there, to be able to contact home, people I meet, and use the internet.
Which networks are available and do ...
7
votes
2answers
337 views
Update Facebook and/or Twitter via SMS while travelling
I'm going traveling in a while, and I'd like to keep friends and family updated about my travels. Thankfully they're all on Facebook now. Is there anyway to update my Facebook status via SMS while ...
7
votes
2answers
177 views
What is a global number?
If you look at GoSim's rates (or the rates of other international sim cards), you can see that it has both a US and a global number. What is a global number? Is it the number you dial internationally ...
7
votes
1answer
173 views
SIM card in New Zealand with unlimited internet access
Are there any SIM cards with unlimited internet access available in New Zealand, for a stay period of 3 weeks?
Vodaphone counter at Auckland Airport don't offer any unlimited bundles, and I wonder if ...
6
votes
5answers
2k views
Can I buy a prepaid mobile data plan while on route in France?
I will be driving through France soon and would like to have a local prepaid sim with data capabilities. I found a very interesting sollution in the French Connection, but I need a French delivery ...
6
votes
2answers
201 views
Can you use your mobile phone in the channel tunnel?
The Channel Tunnel (Le tunnel sous la Manche) is a ~50km tunnel (well, a series of 3 tunnels) running between England and France, used by both high-speed Eurostar trains and slower car trains / ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
What's a good prepaid GSM SIM card without a phone?
My daughter is going to spend the next school year (August 2011 to June 2012) in Memphis, TN as an exchange student from Switzerland. She'd very much like to use her iPhone during her stay in the ...
6
votes
2answers
141 views
Cellular Internet in Iceland?
Is it possible to purchase a pre-paid SIM card that with cellular Internet access in Iceland ?
If so, in what parts of Iceland can I expect coverage ?
6
votes
2answers
105 views
Starhub Singapore network data issues
I've been going to Singapore once a month for a week at a time for the last 10 months and I have been using Starhub's prepaid microsim with my iphone 4s. The data performance in woeful to say the ...
6
votes
1answer
4k views
What are the options for a prepaid SIM card in Singapore?
I'm in Singapore for a week and would like to use data with my iPhone5. What are the options that include enough data for moderate to heavy usage (1-2GB should be enough for the week).
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Portable wifi hotspots in Japan
Instead of getting a prepaid SIM chip, I'm thinking of renting a mobile wifi hotspot. I've found these two so far. Two questions:
Are these reliable? I will be mostly in the big cities.
If I'm not ...
6
votes
2answers
105 views
Google maps in China
Using smartphone in China's cities,
how can I navigate by foot?
Does anyone has a creative idea if I don't read or write chinese?
Any recommended foot-navigation to China main cities?
(offline maps ...
6
votes
1answer
247 views
Internet access in Japan
What options are there in terms of prepaid Internet services? Are the charges reasonable? I will be there for no more than two weeks so prepaid seems to be the sensible option.
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Where to buy a second-hand smartphone in Seoul?
I'm currently travelling in South Korea, home of major smartphone companies such as Samsung. It's a country in a technology boom where everybody wants to have the latest gadgets.
That implies they no ...
6
votes
1answer
696 views
Using an iPhone 4S in South Korea
My brother will soon be traveling to South Korea for work an he has an unlocked iPhone 4S from Sprint. According to the Apple website, the 4S will work on one of the regional carriers so what he was ...
6
votes
1answer
708 views
Sim Card with data plan in China?
I'm traveling to Beijing for a short trip (4 days), and don't want to be without my phone or pay ATT roaming. I have an unlocked, international compatible phone.
What kind of options are available in ...
6
votes
1answer
166 views
Recommendation for mobile prepaid SIM card for smartphone + home calls
What SIM card would you recommend for smartphone user for the travel in Germany?
It would be probably the only or the most important connection to the Internet, so large amounts of data and ...
6
votes
1answer
37 views
Is it worthwhile to rent a phone in Buenos Aires?
I'm taking a quick trip to Buenos Aires and while I know I can buy a SIM card for my phone, what I am curious about is the options of renting a cheap voice only phone while I am there.
Various ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Cheap pre-pay sim in Canada?
I have my UK-based Android smartphone, but yay for Orange (sarcasm), it's locked and will take 3 weeks to unlock! Fortunately I also have a low-tech Nokia - I just need a sim. Rogers quoted me $70 ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I use my Verizon “Global Ready” smartphone in the UK and France?
I'd like to use my Droid Razr Maxx phone, obtained from Verizon in the United States, on an upcoming trip to the UK and France. The product specs claim it is global ready, and it has an accessible SIM ...
5
votes
3answers
5k views
Prepaid SIM card for data in London
I need to buy a prepaid SIM card with internet connection in London just for 6 days.
Any suggestion and prices?
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Cost for US cell phone users to receive international calls
This is a question not from the point of view of the traveler, but from the point of view of someone in the US receiving calls from a traveler abroad.
In general, for the major US wireless carriers, ...
5
votes
2answers
89 views
How should I prepare for a trip to China?
I'll be traveling to China for business in April and I am thinking of ways to prepare. I am looking for advice on how to prepare with regard to:
Travel documents
Money
Phone/data service
Medical ...
5
votes
3answers
194 views
Is there a “best” wireless broadband provider or package for Australia?
Since ASUS came out with their original Eee PC I've always travelled with a netbook computer.
I've travelled to many countries, rich and poor recently and everywhere there is free Wi-Fi at least in ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
Using Australian mobile in China
Will I be able to use an Australian mobile phone (3 Network) in China? I know that I can do international roaming but I am unsure about any frequency differences.
