What do I need to know about using my phone overseas?

Using your cell phone overseas

Overseas use of your cell phone presents challenges that don’t normally exist when you’re traveling throughout the U.S. Just as you face difficulties using a Verizon-enabled cell phone on a T-Mobile network, you will encounter similar, but more troubling challenges using your U.S. phone in many other countries. Here is what you should know to avoid most problems.

Throughout most of Europe (actually in over 200 countries), the standard technology is GSM (Global System for Mobile communications). In the U.S., wireless carriers that use GSM technology include AT&T (formerly Cingular) and T-Mobile.

The other major cell phone carriers, like Sprint/Nextel and Verizon use different technology. Therefore, if you use a U.S. network that employs GSM technology, you have an advantage, but you still need to do more.

You still probably need an “unlocked” GSM phone to allow overseas use. Many cell phones are “locked”, dedicated to the wireless carrier that services them. Changing carriers may not be possible, even in the U.S., with a locked phone. Unlocking separates the cell phone from any particular carrier and permits its use on a comparable network. Unless you’re a cell phone hardware guru, have a third party perform the unlocking procedure for you.

Assuming you have a GSM phone, you may be able to activate your handset for international use. However, just connecting to a foreign network typically results in overly expensive usage charges, sometimes up to $5.00 per minute.

There is a way to save a lot of money, however. GSM phones use a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card that stores pertinent data and phone numbers. Buy a prepaid SIM card for the country you’re visiting. Your usage fees will be reasonable, incoming calls (even from the U.S.) are often free, and you’ll have great budgetary control for your overseas use and trip.

See also: Using a cell phone overseas