International Cell Phones

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 6 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #2,643 in How-To, #26,347 overall

Traveling Outside of the Country? You May Need an International Travel Phone

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Whether you're gone for a few days or a few months, it's good to be able to call when and where you want with ease and to be accessible to your loved ones and other important people while you are gone.

There are a few barriers however that often prevent travelers from the US in just toting along and using their cell phone elsewhere. Many countries use different radio frequencies and encoding.

Find out more about international travel phones and what travelers need to communicate when out of the country.

Quad Band GSM Phones or The World Phone 

Most of Europe, Asia, and Africa use a GSM network. The US, Canada, Australia and a few other countries sometimes use CDMA, TDMA, and iDEN networks as well.

The phone you use when traveling must operate off of the same type of network. Most international travel phones can make use of GSM networks because they are the most prevalent type.

In addition, different countries use different frequencies. Once you know where you'll be traveling to, you can look up the country to determine what frequencies are used to assure your phone will work.

There is an easier way however. A good international travel phone would be a tri-band or quad band phone. A quad band phone for instance can operate at the four frequencies used most often across the globe. Thus these phones provide a good option for travelers.

About Networks 

The most common cellular networks are GSM and CDMA. GSM is prevalent globablly. In the US, AT&T and T-Mobile phones are on a GSM network while Sprint and Verizon use the CDMA network. GSM phones are generally necessary when traveling to Europe as that is the predominant network there.

Sprint and Verizon have recently come out with some CDMA/GSM hybrid phones however. Sprint has the Blackberry 8830, Samsung Ace, and Motorola i930 while Verizon has the Blackberry 8830 and Motorola Z6c. These phones work on the CDMA network in the US and the GSM networks in Europe. These phones will not work on the GSM network in the US but do make a good international travel phones due to their flexibility.

Getting Service: International Roaming 

Once travelers have the right phone, they need to get service. If their cellular carrier has international roaming available via the right network (usually GSM) and cross billing agreements in place with carriers in the country to be visited, this can be a simple option. However, users should be sure to acquaint themselves with the roaming charges before leaving as they can be a bit pricey.

International Services from US Cellular Carriers 

Major US cellular companies now offer programs for customers who travel internationally:

  • Verizon Wireless has global travel kits and a program for "occasional travelers".

  • AT&T" offers a number of special packages for "world travelers" that can be used with compatible phones.


  • T-Mobile's International Services offer lower rates than most providers.

  • Sprint PCS phones won't work in countries using a GSM nework. They do offer other options including rental for those traveling to Europe and other GSM network countries. See their Worldwide Services here.
  • Getting Service: Prepaid Minutes 

    By buying an unlocked GSM phone or world phone a traveler can also install a SIM card which is compatible with the service used in the country they will be visiting. Then, pre-paid service can be purchased easily eliminating any need for an unwanted contract or service agreement. For anyone who travels quite a bit this may be the most cost effective solution.

    Local SIM Cards for Your Destination

    Local SIM Cards can be purchased when you arrive at your destination or online at Telestial.com, InTouchSmartCards.com, or CallInEurope.com.

    Quad Band, World Phones, and Other Products  

    Nokia 1661 Prepaid Phone, Black (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

    Motorola Renew W233 Prepaid Phone, Green (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

    Samsung t239 Prepaid Phone, Charcoal (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $54.99 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

    Nokia 1208 Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

    Samsung t349 Prepaid Phone, Silver/Lime (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

    Unlocked GSM Phones  

    Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
    eBay

    SIM Cards 

    Calling Internationally From Your U.S. Phone 

    Prepaid calling cards can save significantly when calling from a landline or cell phone in the US to international locations. Learn more about them here. Another option for inexpensive international calling are prepaid services like MetroPCS which offers unlimited voice and text messaging for $50/month; you can add unlimited international calling for $5/month.

    Renting a Cell Phone for Your International Travels 

    Another option for travelers is to rent international travel phones. The charges for renting the phone and for per minute talk time varies widely from service to service and is dependent upon your destination.

    A few services online include travelcell.com, cellularabroad.com, and rangeroamer.com.

    More Communication Assistance for Your Trip 

    Do You Have an Old Cell Phone to Sell? 

    We recommend:
    Cell For Cash

    You can review this site at The Isle of Squid

    International Cell Phones: Did You Find What You Needed? Let Us Know! 

    If you are still looking for the best deals on cell phone plans be sure to visit our full service cellular and home electronics store.

    TheWhistler wrote...

    Thank you Mulberry, another interesting lens.

    ReplyPosted June 29, 2009

    jaye3000 wrote...

    Great lens full of info., I've lensrolled you to Patriotic Gardens :)

    ReplyPosted June 29, 2009

    Lensmaster

    K Jackson wrote

    I have started getting a call like 5 times a day from an international phone number. I have AT&T for my wireless phone service. I have called them and they say there is no way to block the calls. The international number also texts me saying they want to "make a friendship" and asking for my email address. Does anyone know how to make this stop without having to change my cell phone number? Thank you!

    Reply Posted March 21, 2009

    JAV010 wrote...

    Great lens and very helpfull thanks 5 stars

    ReplyPosted August 25, 2008

    poddys wrote...

    This is a very useful resource, thanks. It takes a lot to figure out the different cell phone systems, especially if you are travelling. I lensrolled this into my International Calling Cards lens, and 5 ***** well deserved.

    ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

    bbug wrote...

    Need to know info for the traveler.

    ReplyPosted June 01, 2008

     

    Photo Credits
    Introduction: woinary.
    Quad Band GSM Phones for Travel: pacdog.
    A Few More Words About Networks: Squeakymarmot.
    Getting Service: International Roaming: ruurmo.
    Getting Service Prepaid Minutes: jmerelo.
    Internation Services from US Cellular Providers: inkiboo.
    Renting a Cell Phone for Your International Travels: jepoirrier.

    This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.

    by mulberry

    If you're traveling outside of the country you may need an international travel phone. This page will explain what phones and plans you need to use wh... (more)

    Favorited By

    Create a Lens!