| The funny thing about traveling abroad is that, | | | | the existing chip in your phone (be sure to keep |
| well, things are done differently in other countries. | | | | your existing chip for when you get home!) and, in |
| Go figure. You can't plug in your hairdryer, your | | | | effect, gives you a local number for the area you |
| DVDs won't work, and they have a different | | | | are traveling in. The bad news is that you will |
| word for everything! With all these things, the | | | | have a new number so you won't be reachable at |
| next question may be, can you use your cell | | | | your old US number and your calls to the US, and |
| phone? | | | | vice versa, will be long distance international calls. |
| Possibly not. There are two main frequencies that | | | | What you save on local calls may make up the |
| cellphone providers use worldwide. In the U.S., | | | | difference if most of your calls will be in the |
| Verizon uses the CDMA (code division multiple | | | | country where you are traveling. SIM cards come |
| access) network, while Cingular and T-Mobile use | | | | with a certain amount of minutes included in their |
| the GSM (global system for mobiles) network. | | | | price so be sure to guess accurately. Be sure to |
| GSM is the standard frequency throughout most | | | | confirm with your cellular provider that your |
| of the world, so if you have a CDMA phone it | | | | phone supports a SIM card prior to deciding on |
| won't work in many countries. | | | | using them as a communication solution. |
| Verizon and Sprint are starting to sell phones that | | | | If your phone isn't suitable or you want to |
| work with their "GSM" network, but they're | | | | consider another option, consider a GSM cell |
| limiting - they don't work in as many different | | | | phone rental for the duration of your trip. You can |
| countries as a standard GSM cell phone, so your | | | | rent a GSM phone or a satellite phone that can be |
| roaming options are limited. | | | | used worldwide, and you can have the same |
| For cellular providers that do use the GSM | | | | phone number wherever you go. Each GSM |
| system, it is important to confirm that the phone | | | | international cell phone takes a SIM card designed |
| you have is either a "tri-band" (operates on three | | | | for the country that you're visiting which "unlocks" |
| of the four major frequencies worldwide) or | | | | the phone and activates your phone number as a |
| "quad-band" (works on all four major frequencies). | | | | local number, making your calls in that country |
| Less expensive or older models may work on the | | | | much, much cheaper. These can be ordered |
| GSM system but may not support the | | | | directly online from companies such as Telestitial . |
| frequencies in use in the countries you are visiting. | | | | Now to make this just a bit more confusing, |
| Most cellular service providers provide reference | | | | Japan and South Korea use their own system |
| materials on their website so that you can look up | | | | called 3G. If you need a phone while traveling to |
| your phone model, your calling plan and price out | | | | those two countries, you will have to rent a |
| what setting up international roaming will cost. You | | | | phone, since no phone distributed in the U.S. |
| can also call customer service and get pricing | | | | support the 3G protocol. |
| directly from a customer service representative. | | | | If you'll be traveling to a location that's well off |
| The bad news that you may discover is that | | | | the beaten path, consider satellite phone rental. |
| international roaming is quite expensive. Per minute | | | | Many carriers offer satellite cell phones for users |
| charges run between $1.00 and $2.50 US. Going to | | | | who are traveling abroad, and the phones |
| areas without strong cellular infrastructures, such | | | | themselves are usually designed for harsh |
| as Africa, can double these prices. If you travel | | | | environments, with extra-rugged, water- and |
| often, you should consider international calling plans | | | | dust-proof casings. Even if you're in a jungle, you'll |
| that take 20% - 40% off of the per minute | | | | be able to make calls, check e-mail and text |
| pricing. Also, watch out for a big "gotcha" that is | | | | message your friends and family. Some rental |
| sometimes hidden in the fine print - voice | | | | phones can work as both a cell phone and a |
| messages may cost you twice, once when the | | | | satellite phone. |
| message is left and again when you dial in to listen | | | | The absolute cheapest way to call home from |
| to the message. | | | | overseas is by using calling cards. Calling cards are |
| Another problem with international roaming | | | | very popular outside the US and you can by |
| accounts is that all the calls you make are treated | | | | them at most stores or magazine stands in |
| as long distance international calls, including calls | | | | pretty much every country in the world. |
| you may make to your local hotel, restaurant and | | | | There are plenty of options to consider for your |
| taxi company. If you think that this is what you | | | | phone services when traveling. Determine what |
| will be using your cell phone for mostly while you | | | | you believe your needs will be then check out the |
| travel, you can buy and insert a SIM card into | | | | options you have to get the most for the least |
| your existing GSM phone. The SIM card replaces | | | | amount of money. |