Roaming Charges and International Cell Phone Use

Have you ever come home from an overseas vacation or business trip, to a large cell phone bill from international cell phone use and roaming charges?

I have. But it only happened once.

Global roaming charges from your current domestic cell phone provider have their place. But so do unlocked GSM cell phones, cell phone rental, and purchasing international or foreign SIM's. Below is a discussion of when to use which option, cost estimates, pros and cons.

Regardless of the method of international cell phone use you chose, allow two weeks for ordering new services, phones and SIM cards prior to departure. Before you make any decisions however, you need to know whether you can use your current cell phone abroad.

Can your phone travel?

There are two major types of cellular networks in the United Sates. ATT and T-Mobile operate a GSM network, and Verizon and Sprint operate a CDMA network. A GSM phone will generally not operate on a CDMA network and vice versa.

Investigate which network the countries you are visiting use. Europe uses GSM networks, whereas some Asian countries use CDMA networks. Japan and Korea use a different CDMA network again, and you may not be able to use your cell phone there. Some newer handsets designed for international cell phone use also covers WCDMA 2100.GSM is by far the most widely used global network, and a GSM phone will likely give you the best coverage for using your cell phone abroad.

Check that your charger is a travel charger. US electricity is 110 volt, but many other countries run 220-240 volts. The back of your charger will shows INPUT 110-240 V 50/60 Hz if it can be used internationally. And don't forget an adaptor for the electrical sockets.

If your phone can travel, you may choose to activate global roaming, and you're ready for international cell phone use. Check with your provider if you can use your cell phone abroad.

International Roaming Charges with your Domestic Cell Provider

To be fair, a portion of roaming charges is not under your cell provider's control. Many countries simply have much higher cell phone rates than the United States. Roaming charges for international cell phone use in those countries will be higher.

If you are using international roaming, check the rates prior to departure. Rates can be as low as $1 a minute and as high as $5 a minute. Also, be aware that unanswered calls diverted to voicemail may also attract inbound roaming charges. Retrieving the message will also attract roaming charges in the form of an outbound call.

Roaming charges for voice calls add up quickly. Roaming is only viable, financially, for international cell phone use if your trip is short and you won't use your phone often. To keep roaming charges down, SMS whenever possible. Charges for an SMS start from $0.50 up depending on country.

If the above voice roaming charges scare you, disable all 3G data services and rely on Wi-Fi. Roaming charges for data services are hideous. The internet is full of horror stories of bills for thousands of dollars from international data roaming charges. Even the brainiacs that are the MythBusters have suffered this fate.

Rent a Cell Phone

If your cell phone doesn't travel, then taking your cell phone abroad is useless. Cell phone rental may be a good option. Using a rented cell phone abroad, you will incur two types for charges-a rental fee and usage charges. More on usage charges below.

Rental costs range from $2 a day on long-term rental to $7 a day for short-term rental. If you travel often, or take extended trips, your international cell phone use may justify the purchase of an unlocked GSM phone for use abroad.

Unlocked GSM Phone

Phones purchased (on contract) in the US are locked to that provider's network. Until your phone is unlocked, you cannot use the cell phone abroad, unless you activate global roaming with your provider. Some providers may unlock handsets for customers of good standing for international cell phone use.

If your provider will not assist, Google your phone, and unlock code. Unlock codes can be purchased online, or if you're lucky you'll find the procedure in a forum free, enabling international cell phone use from your phone.

Another option is to purchase an unlocked GSM phone. Amazon has a wide variety of unlocked GSM phones available. Before you do though, ensure the handset you purchase supports the international carrier's GSM frequencies.

GSM networks operate at four different frequencies 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz. Different countries use different combinations of frequencies. To have the best global coverage, purchase a quad band unlocked GSM phone. If you wish to use your unlocked international cell phone at home (in the US) as well, ensure you purchase a quad band phone. Tri band phones do not support the 850 band used by domestic GSM providers.

International SIM cards for International Cell Phone Use

Once you have an unlocked GSM phone, you can purchase an international SIM from providers such as www.mobal.com or www.telestial.com, and use your cell phone abroad without incurring huge roaming charges. A number of countries offer free incoming calls on their networks. Inquire about this when comparing rates for international cell phone use on an international SIM card.

Mobal World phone will sell you a combination of unlocked GSM phone and international SIM. For as little as $49, you will own your own unlocked GSM phone and international SIM with a permanent UK phone number. There are conditions on use within the US, however. Read the details carefully, and check coverage and rates before purchase.

Telestial offers a new dual US/UK SIM card. This is a great option for frequent travelers between the US and UK looking to use their cell phone abroad. You receive a US and a UK phone number on a single international SIM, with free call forwarding when at home. The phone numbers remain active for 9 months after the last call made. Check rates for your destination(s).

Mobal and Telestial sell limited varieties of GSM phones. If the options at these retailers do not meet you international cell phone use needs, Amazon also has a wide range of unlocked handsets available.

Local SIM Card for your Cell Phone Abroad

Purchasing an entry-level pay as you go phone, at your destination, will give you a local SIM card with a local phone number, access to local calling rates, and a cell phone that operates in that country.

Alternatively, if you already own an unlocked GSM phone, and want service as soon as you land, providers like Telestial and Mobal may sell prepaid local SIM cards for your destination.

If you primarily make local calls within your destination country, this will be your cheapest option for cell phone use overseas. In addition, many countries do not charge for incoming calls. If you visit a cell provider's storefront directly, they may supply you with a free SIM when you pre-pay for service, or sign-up for on-going service.

This option will suit international travelers that travel often between two countries. It is my preferred option.

Unlocked Dual SIM Phones

If you travel often between two countries, switching SIM cards depending on the country, a dual SIM phone now allows you to receive and make calls from the one cell phone for both SIMS, which means you will never miss a call again.

I travel between two countries, and have GSM cellular service in both. The major drawback is that to use such a setup effectively, I need to charge and carry two cell phones. A dual SIM cell phone removes this hassle.

A dual SIM cell phone can, of course, also be handy at home, if you carry two cell phones-one for business use, and one for personal use.

Skype and Google Voice

Technological change is rapid, and new options for making and receiving calls while overseas seem to appear everyday. Skype made popular on the internet, is now also downloadable to many cell phones. Nokia N900 and Sony Ericcson Xperia are two phones that sell with Skype integrated out of the box. Note: US cell providers may disable this function on 3G data networks.

Skype to Skype calls on a cell phone are free via either Wi-Fi or 3G, and Skype To Go international calls to any number are cheaper than with a traditional carrier.

Please note: Skype cannot make emergency calls. Calls to mobile devices attract a higher rate. Skype also charges a connection fee for each connected call.

Google Voice is another entry into the VOIP market. Make free calls in the US and cheap calls internationally. Google Voice has flexible redirect, conferencing and call transfer features.

Skype, Google Voice and similar players, may not be an ideal solution for you now, but do watch for changes made to Skype and Google Voice services.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to international cell phone use. Which of the methods above, suits you will be determined by usage of your cell phone abroad, and where you travel and for how long. Do know, however, that there are options to accepting high roaming charges. I hope huge cell phone bills from using your cell phone abroad no longer dull your post vacation high.

Sources:

Personal experience
www.mobal.com
www.telestial.com