Questions tagged [cellphones]

Issues with taking your mobile phone with you, and buying a phone, SIM card, or cellular data plan in another country.

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19 votes
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How can I find the cheapest prepaid SIM card for a given country or multiple countries at a time?

Next month I am traveling to country X, where I would need Y minutes of calls, Z text messages and most importantly Q megabytes of data. How can I find the cheapest/most reliable SIM card for my needs?...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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48 votes
9 answers
3k 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 ...
Jan's user avatar
  • 1,635
31 votes
6 answers
8k views

Are there data plans for travelers in the USA? [duplicate]

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 ...
Oak's user avatar
  • 1,152
11 votes
1 answer
3k views

In the US, what's a good prepaid GSM SIM card without a phone? [closed]

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 ...
Beat Bolli's user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
11k 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 ...
user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
4k views

Prepaid Data Plan for cell phone in Italy

What is the best option for a prepaid data plan for a cell phone for a short stay in Italy (Sardinia)? I am looking for a Micro-Sim Card. I don't need to call and I need approximatively 300-500 MB. ...
A.Schulz's user avatar
  • 374
33 votes
3 answers
4k views

How well do foreign cell phones work in Japan?

What are the options for getting a smart phone up and running when travelling for a couple of weeks in Japan?
froderik's user avatar
  • 6,614
21 votes
4 answers
35k 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 (...
Prashanth's user avatar
  • 2,477
9 votes
3 answers
888 views

Recommendation for mobile prepaid SIM card for smartphone + home calls in Germany

What SIM card would you recommend for a smartphone user for travel in Germany? It would be probably the only or the most important connection to the Internet, so large amounts of data and relatively ...
Danubian Sailor's user avatar
23 votes
8 answers
14k views

Is there such a thing as a European SIM card?

This summer I will go on a road trip from West to East Europe and back. Being able to call and especially access the internet is useful on the road, so it made me wonder whether I could buy a European ...
Peter Raeves's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
713 views

Internet access in Japan [closed]

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.
Switchkick's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
2k views

What is cheapest phone option for a short trip to Europe?

I'm leaving for Europe in a couple days. I'm spending a few days in England and then a few days in Hungary before returning to the US. Unfortunately, I have not given much thought to my phone/internet ...
nfolson's user avatar
  • 83
8 votes
2 answers
49k views

What is the best prepaid SIM card for data in France? [closed]

I'm going to travel to Paris in two weeks for 5 days. I'd like to buy a prepaid SIM card for my phone, no calls or SMS needed - only data is sufficient. I've looked through French mobile operators and ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 83
22 votes
3 answers
819 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. ...
alx9r's user avatar
  • 3,737
17 votes
2 answers
1k 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.
DLRdave's user avatar
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17 votes
2 answers
29k 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?
patrickinmpls's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
1k views

Best smartphone data plan in South Korea? [duplicate]

What is the best way to get smartphone access when traveling for a few days in South Korea? I am mostly interested in getting cheap data access (google maps...).
froderik's user avatar
  • 6,614
10 votes
2 answers
729 views

Where to get data-only SIM in Japan [duplicate]

I have an unlocked North American (Canada) iPhone 5s, where can I buy a data only SIM card in Japan ? I'm not interested in renting nor in a voice plan, I'll be staying for 4 weeks. I'll be landing ...
blackbird's user avatar
  • 16.9k
8 votes
1 answer
4k views

Prepaid SIM card for Austria, with mobile internet and relatively cheap foreign calls

I'm planning to spend about a week in Austria. I'd like to have mobile internet (mostly for geocaching). 100MB should be enough, however, it would be good to have a bit more. I'd like also to have ...
Danubian Sailor's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
25k views

Are calls to international numbers charged at international rates if the caller is in the same country?

Suppose I take my phone on roaming from one country (say Australia) to another (say Belgium). How do these plans typically work? Will somebody else in Belgium have to pay international rates to call ...
Casebash's user avatar
  • 1,954
5 votes
2 answers
271 views

Economical mobile data for US and Canada

I am travelling to US and Canada from Australia this year and was wondering what would be the most economical and hassle free option for having mobile data and call time on my iPhone that gives me ...
Chamkila's user avatar
  • 153
4 votes
1 answer
5k views

Will my European phone (Nokia 1208) work in the USA?

I have a Nokia 1208 bought in Sweden with a pre-paid SIM-card from Telia. Will I be able to use my mobile phone in the USA? I'm not talking about expensive roaming fees or so, just whether it's ...
gerrit's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
5k views

What is a good data plan for Internet surfing in northern Italy? [duplicate]

I've checked the webpages of some their providers, but franly, just like in the case of those in my own language, I literally cannot find my way around them. So if you wouldn't mind sharing a word of ...
Rook's user avatar
  • 311
4 votes
2 answers
10k views

Any Sim Card that works in Canada & US

I'm traveling next week to Montreal, Canada for 2 weeks and then for another week to New York. I want to buy a SIM card for my smartphone in Montreal that will also work in New York. The main purpose ...
user15344's user avatar
103 votes
6 answers
17k views

Does the European number for emergencies (112) really work in Germany?

One night of some months ago I realized there were some burglars in the apartment below mine. As an Italian living in Germany, I didn't know the number to call the police, but I knew that in all ...
Fabio says Reinstate Monica's user avatar
15 votes
5 answers
29k views

What are the options for a prepaid SIM card in Germany? [duplicate]

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?
johndbritton's user avatar
  • 3,666
14 votes
4 answers
2k views

Sim Card with data plan in China? [duplicate]

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 ...
Alex P's user avatar
  • 149
13 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are short-term visitors in Japan allowed to buy voice-enabled SIM cards?

eConnect says that there's legal restrictions on SIM cards: Data Only SIM Our SIM card does not support voice call and SMS. It is currently prohibited by law to provide SIM card with a ...
Golden Cuy's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
2k views

Data connection while in Israel [duplicate]

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?
Dan's user avatar
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11 votes
7 answers
3k views

How well does T-Mobile's (US) Simple Choice plan work when in Europe?

I'm about to travel from the USA to Europe. I have a GSM phone and I use T-Mobile's Simple Choice plan. This plan is supposed to mean that I can use the phone in Europe at no extra charge. So far all ...
Tom Harrington's user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
13k views

Is it easy to get prepaid SIMs in the US/Canada?

I'll be travelling in a family party to the east coast of the US and Canada and, as most people know, travelling in a party means you often need to keep in contact when seeing different things and ...
dlanod's user avatar
  • 14.5k
8 votes
3 answers
16k views

Do US pre-paid GSM sim cards normally work in Canada?

For an upcoming trip, I'm going to spend about 10-15 days in the USA, followed by about another 10 days up in Canada. While over there, I expect I'll want to make and receive a few phone calls, send ...
Gagravarr's user avatar
  • 62.7k
6 votes
1 answer
801 views

How can I check if my (unlocked) phone will work with a particular country's SIM cards, for 3G and calls?

I've used my phone overseas with local SIM cards a lot, but recently had a surprising experience where one local SIM card simply wouldn't work with my phone but did work first time on my partner's, ...
user56reinstatemonica8's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
4k 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 ...
Mark Mayo's user avatar
  • 159k
5 votes
2 answers
625 views

Mobile phones and mobile internet in Italy

Buongiorno! Suppose I step down from the plain in Fiumicino. What is the fastest way to get hold of Italian SIM-card with some talking minutes and some Internet? The latter is more important than the ...
Undespairable's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
7k views

Prepay simcard for data in Australia

I'm arriving in Sydney on Friday for a week. Ideally I'd like a pre-pay simcard for text and data (I need to check my stackexchange sites of course ;)). However I have no idea of what companies or ...
Mark Mayo's user avatar
  • 159k
4 votes
3 answers
4k views

Prepaid SIM card for data in UK, France, and Finland

I want to buy a SIM card with prepaid data plan in UK. I will travel around France and Finland. I'm staying for less than a month, and I expect to use <250 MB. It seems that most plans don't allow ...
Memming's user avatar
  • 182
3 votes
2 answers
9k views

Where can I get a SIM card at the Hyderabad (Telangana, India) airport, or somewhere on the way to Banjara Hills?

Where can I get a SIM card at the Hyderabad (Telangana, India) airport, or somewhere on the way to Banjara Hills? The airport FAQ (mirror) doesn't mention SIM cards. The airport convenience shops ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
46 votes
6 answers
18k views

Why does my phone's GPS not work in China?

I am trying to use Google Maps in China. I know that Google is blocked, which is why I downloaded the map of Beijing offline. However, when I open the app my phone attempts to find GPS satellites but ...
Matthew Herbst's user avatar
42 votes
21 answers
9k views

Long-life SIM cards in Europe

I regularly travel to Europe (Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland). Every time that I arrive in a country, I buy a cheap prepaid SIM card. The problem is that all these cheap SIMs have a short ...
Googlebot's user avatar
  • 1,195
35 votes
2 answers
15k views

Why are satellite phones strictly banned in India?

Is it true, that using or travelling with satellite phone is strictly and unconditionally banned in India? And if yes, is there any explanation or official reason, why? I have found such information, ...
trejder's user avatar
  • 2,965
20 votes
9 answers
99k views

Is there a possibility to preserve an unused Indian mobile number for a period of time?

I travel to India a couple of times per year. I purchased an Indian SIM card and I find that there is no network for this Indian service provider in Southern Germany (Friedrichshafen/Konstanz). And as ...
DarthVader's user avatar
  • 3,584
19 votes
8 answers
11k views

Temporary SIM card while visiting US [duplicate]

In a few weeks' time, I will be visiting the US for 14 days. Coming from the EU, roaming is very expensive, so I am considering getting a temporary SIM card. However, looking around for the options, I ...
CompuChip's user avatar
  • 668
13 votes
4 answers
34k views

What are prepaid SIM card options for data in the UK? [duplicate]

I need to buy a prepaid SIM card with internet connection in London just for 6 days. Any suggestion and prices?
zapico's user avatar
  • 327
12 votes
2 answers
45k 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, ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 7,875
12 votes
2 answers
9k views

How do I know if my US phone will work overseas?

I have a smartphone bought in the US through a US carrier, not rooted or otherwise modified. I understand that some phones will work overseas, some won't, and some can if I make modifications to the ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
111k views

Prepaid SIM card with best data plan in Canada [closed]

I'm travelling to Canada Does anyone know which prepaid SIM card has the best data plan? In term of data usage and 3G/4G coverage. I don't think I'm ging to need to call a lot so talk time/texting/...
Tommy's user avatar
  • 221
11 votes
8 answers
3k views

Android app for offline GPS maps

I am travelling to Iceland soon, and just found out that my Garmin GPS does not give directions in Iceland. I know that I will have plenty of locations with Wifi during my vacation, but this will not ...
Lee White's user avatar
  • 1,572
11 votes
5 answers
634 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 ...
Albion's user avatar
  • 373
11 votes
3 answers
22k views

What mobile network in Vietnam has the best 3G coverage?

I will be traveling all over Vietnam and I would like to be as often connected as possible. So having a sim card with the mobile network having the best 3G coverage is key to this aim.
Adriano's user avatar
  • 6,951