Inexpensive International Cell Phone Service -- Be prepared BEFORE you go to abroad, and have your phone ready with free unlimited incoming calls
If you're buying an international 'world phone' be sure it operates in all three bands and is 'unlocked' to allow it to work with any service provider in the world.
Did you know: Outside north America cell phone coverage and quality of service is far superior and cheaper that of either the United States or Canada?
Everywhere excluding the USA, cell phone subscribers do not pay for incoming calls and do pay low outgoing rates.
Here is how you, as a traveler outside the USA, can take advantage of these low rates that are just fractions of what it would cost to rent a cell phone or to roam with your North American provider, making having a cell phone abroad a luxury that you can afford.
Outside North America cell operators have opted to utilize the GSM standard for their cellular service. GSM offers digital service that is so crystal clear that it is difficult to discern if you are on a cellphone or using a landline.
Whether you are in Paris, the Zurich or tucked away in a luxury abode in Tuscany, you are very likely to have cell phone reception.
If you are traveling or an expat living abroad and want to use your current USA cell phone, you most likely will not be able to do so unless you have a GSM tri-band phone.
Choosing to pay less Abroad.
Most Expensive Option: Calling your North American provider
Getting set up in this manner with your current service provider will allow you to retain your US phone number and receive and make calls anywhere in the world. Usually there is a monthly fee for being able to use the service internationally plus high roaming rates (call rates) and other applicable charges such as renting the handset and having it delivered to you.
Last Minute, at the Airport or Destination
Another alternative is to rent a cell phone with service. You can rent a cell phone at any international airport or through many of the traditional channels such as the yellow pages/internet. Rates are generally $25-$50 per week for the handset rental plus charges for actually placing and receiving calls. There are usually minimum per day or per week usage rates, regardless if you use the service or not.
The Least Expensive Solution
Alternatively, and this is by far the least expensive alternative, you can use the same service that the world outside North America uses. You will be paying local rates which are inexpensive and include unlimited, free incoming calls from anywhere in the world. Calls to the US are inexpensive costing only about $0.80 per minute, but, in order to save further, you may ask people to call you back on your cellular number. That way you can literally speak on the phone for hours and not incur any charge. While the person calling you will be paying for an international call, rates to Europe are very reasonable � especially if the person calling you chooses the right provider.
In order to take advantage of paying local cellular rates you must obtain a GSM cell phone and also SIM card for one of the cellular providers in that country.
Most countries, use the 900/1800 GSM frequency, so, you will need to obtain this type of GSM phone, and, you must make sure that it is unlocked.
Check here if you have a US based GSM phone and want to unlock it online:
GSM phones come from the manufacturer unlocked - it is the carrier that locks them. You can obtain both the SIM card and the phone from Cellularabroad.com.
A prepaid SIM card allows you to slip the card into your GSM phone, and, since it is prepaid, you will not have any restricting contracts or minimal use requirements. With cellular service this great, it looks like the French have just one more thing to boast about.
Cellular Abroad is offering a $10 discount to all vacationtechnician.com visitors. Be sure to mention vacationtechnician.com or, if ordering online, enter promo code 'vt10'. Enter the code at www.cellularabroad.com or call 1-800-287-3020 and tell them vacationtechnician sent you to get 10USD off your service.
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