Using Smartphones Internationally

Mobile phones used internationally have become known as Smartphones or World Phones. Smartphones have global communication capability and ideally include GPS (Global Positioning System) and wireless capability.

Travelers in Europe should use GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phones that cover four bands of frequencies: 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz. North American cellular networks support for the most part 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies, where Europe uses 900 and 1800 MHz. If your phone is tri-band and not quad band, make sure it is capable of 900/1800/1900 MHz. If your phone does not have 900 MHz frequency it will not support the most common frequency used in Europe, therefore your service will be limited to places that have 1900 MHz.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is another network though more limited than GMS. Alltel, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless use CDMA and this system will work in numerous countries like Canada, China, and Mexico.

Phones purchased from T-Mobile or AT&T within the past two years will work anywhere but Japan and Korea, though you must make sure you call the carrier and activate international calling capability. Verizon and Sprint customers should have phones labeled "world phones" for service abroad, though they may get service in Canada, Mexico, and some South American countries. Verizon's BlackBerry Storm and the 3GiPhone supposedly work in all countries. Phone owner's manuals or phonescoop.com provide more information. This material applies to phone calls and not international data service like e-mail or Web access.

Phones can be rented with international capability through intouchusa.us. Some of these phones include free incoming calls and start at about $50 a week.

Best Rates for International Use

The best rate for phone usage outside of the U.S. is using the prepaid SIM card with an unlocked GSM phone, which allows you to benefit from local rates. This is the best bet for the traveler visiting for a short time for most countries. There are roughly 200 countries that use GSM service.

SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module) are chips that snap into the back of a GSM phone. The card will identify the phone carrier, number, rate, and customer account information.

Most GMS phones are locked by the carrier to restrict the user to their service. Each carrier is different in their policy but many will void this restriction ("unlock" the restriction) after 90 days of service. More important to the international traveler is to make sure the phone has frequencies that are compatible with countries where travel will be done. Unlocking can be done by the carrier via code, over the air, or email to the user.

If you have an unlocked phone, you can purchase a SIM card from a specific country and have calls based on minute increments. This system gives you a local phone number and allows you to avoid high-priced roaming rates, though international long distance rates will still be in place.

Phones of the Future

Touch screens and standard international frequencies will become typical for all cell phones sooner than later. Phone companies will update each new version of their phones with state-of-the-art software that integrates sophisticated GPS systems, social networking, integrated wireless systems, web browsers, photographic recognition, and software that utilizes the power of global satellites.

Look for these Smartphones in 2009 and 2010 that will have some of the latest internationally friendly updates: Nokia N97, Samsung Saga, Asus P750 Unlocked.

Sources:

Conde Nast Traveler. Haney, Mike. "Dialing Out of Disaster," February, 2009, p. 55.

Communication Headquarters' Guide to the Best International Cell Phone Rates http://reviews.ebay.com/International-Cell-Phone-for-Overseas-Travel_W0QQugidZ10000000000788096?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:SEARCH:4

GSM Cell Phones and SIM Cards http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=communicationhq

PC Today, February 2009, Smartphones, www.pctoday.com.

Sim Lock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

Stafford, Joanna. PC Today, February 2009, "The Traveling Smartphone," www.pctoday.com.