OT: Cell Phones in Europe

[Phantasm]

Okay, I'm going to Europe next month, specifically London, Paris and Rome.

 

Is there a pay as you go cell phone that I can buy here in the states, get a phone number and charge it up with minutes, and take with me on the trip?

 

I'm sure someone here has done this... pretty much no matter what it is, someone on this board has done it!

[guitargod0dmw]

You just need a phone that's GSM network compatible.

 

I'm sure there are pay as you go phones that can do it. Many new phones are compatible as well, and you just need to add it to your service contract...but it's like $1.99 a minute or something crazy like that.

 

I'm also the phone admin at work. I just set up a bunch of people with cell phones that are traveling to India.

[Super Bass]

It depends how long you plan on staying in each country, but if you have a phone that's compatable with the networks then some providers usually give away free SIM cards. Just need to top up with

[ec437]

I travel all the time, and the only place my phone hasn't worked yet is Japan. I just text though, because that stays at the normal rate for me while talking gets expensive.

[LanEvo]

Is there a pay as you go cell phone that I can buy here in the states, get a phone number and charge it up with minutes, and take with me on the trip?

All you need is a GSM phone (which most are nowadays) that's either tri-band or quad-band. Then just buy a prepaid GSM card when you get to Europe and swap the SIM into your own phone. All the major cell phone providers offer prepaid plans. No big deal.

[PiotreX]

Preferably get an Orange prepaid number. Orange has the largest range in Europe I think.

[Super Bass]

 

Preferably get an Orange prepaid number. Orange has the largest range in Europe I think.

 

 

Yeah, get an Orange number. I'm not biased....honestly....

 

<_>

 

>_>

[Phantasm]

Is there any way for me to get everything activated before I go? Is it fairly common (say, in the airport or something in London) for them to be selling cards?

 

My regular carrier here is Sprint and they are not GSM, so PAYG for me.

[Rippin' Robin]

 

Is there any way for me to get everything activated before I go? Is it fairly common (say, in the airport or something in London) for them to be selling cards? My regular carrier here is Sprint and they are not GSM, so PAYG for me.

 

 

 

You can get cell phones around every corner, starting from 30 euros complete with phone and some calling credit.

[Super Bass]

Is there any way for me to get everything activated before I go? Is it fairly common (say, in the airport or something in London) for them to be selling cards? My regular carrier here is Sprint and they are not GSM, so PAYG for me.

 

You could walk into a store and be active within an hour or less.

 

Why don't you buy a cheap GSM phone on ebay before you go??

[Phantasm]

Does this look like it would fit the bill:

 

http://www.cellhut.com/Motorola-MOTOFONE-F3-Unlocked-3335.html

 

It's $35 US which sounds like a nice price for me, considering that after the trip I will likely never use the phone again.

[Super Bass]

Yep, that should be fine. Pick up an Orange SIM when you get over to the UK. I work for Orange btw.

[Phantasm]

In for two, and I'll throw some love to Orange when I land in London in May!

 

Now, if we make it to Ireland, I owe you a drink.

[Super Bass]

In for two, and I'll throw some love to Orange when I land in London in May! Now, if we make it to Ireland, I owe you a drink.

 

[Zamfir]

 

An HSUPA quad band could not be a GSM at all. However nearly all HSUPA quad band are EDGE quad band too. Five and Six band phones (800/850/900/1700/1900/2100) are possible but none has been announced.

 

 

You gotta have the 900 and 1800 frequency capability on that phone.

[King Kashue]

 

All you need is a GSM phone (which most are nowadays) that's either tri-band or quad-band. Then just buy a prepaid GSM card when you get to Europe and swap the SIM into your own phone. All the major cell phone providers offer prepaid plans. No big deal.

 

 

With Zamphir's frequency caveat, this is the way to go.

 

 

You can get a prepaid SIM card for as little as five quid, and then just top it up when you need to.

 

I've still got SIM cards from the UK and Germany (though I think one has expired from lack of use).

 

The beautiful thing is that incoming calls are free, so your US loved ones can call you using a discount card or service (10-10-987 was my parents' stand-by when I lived in the UK) to save total costs.

[Darkstorm]

American phones are locked. They have to be unlocked to use a diff sim card. Often a difficult thing to get done. Simply get inexpensive prepaid phone when you get there and start calling. Useing american international calling plan is expensive. Cheaper to just get and use prepaid phone when you get there.

[Phantasm]

Curses!!!! The phone I ordered is on backorder. I'm hunting for another bargain right now.