Using Your Phone While Traveling Can Be Cheap If You Plan Ahead

By Stormy Knight

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The funny thing about traveling abroad is that, well, things are done differently in other countries. Go figure. You can’t plug in your hairdryer, your DVDs won’t work, and they have a different word for everything! With all these things, the next question may be, can you use your cell phone?

Possibly not. There are two main frequencies that cellphone providers use worldwide. In the U.S., Verizon uses the CDMA (code division multiple access) network, while Cingular and T-Mobile use the GSM (global system for mobiles) network. GSM is the standard frequency throughout most of the world, so if you have a CDMA phone it won’t work in many countries.

Verizon and Sprint are starting to sell phones that work with their "GSM" network, but they’re limiting – they don’t work in as many different countries as a standard GSM cell phone, so your roaming options are limited.

For cellular providers that do use the GSM system, it is important to confirm that the phone you have is either a "tri-band" (operates on three of the four major frequencies worldwide) or "quad-band" (works on all four major frequencies). Less expensive or older models may work on the GSM system but may not support the frequencies in use in the countries you are visiting. Most cellular service providers provide reference materials on their website so that you can look up your phone model, your calling plan and price out what setting up international roaming will cost. You can also call customer service and get pricing directly from a customer service representative.

The bad news that you may discover is that international roaming is quite expensive. Per minute charges run between $1.00 and $2.50 US. Going to areas without strong cellular infrastructures, such as Africa, can double these prices. If you travel often, you should consider international calling plans that take 20% - 40% off of the per minute pricing. Also, watch out for a big "gotcha" that is sometimes hidden in the fine print – voice messages may cost you twice, once when the message is left and again when you dial in to listen to the message.

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Another problem with international roaming accounts is that all the calls you make are treated as long distance international calls, including calls you may make to your local hotel, restaurant and taxi company. If you think that this is what you will be using your cell phone for mostly while you travel, you can buy and insert a SIM card into your existing GSM phone. The SIM card replaces the existing chip in your phone (be sure to keep your existing chip for when you get home!) and, in effect, gives you a local number for the area you are traveling in. The bad news is that you will have a new number so you won't be reachable at your old US number and your calls to the US, and vice versa, will be long distance international calls. What you save on local calls may make up the difference if most of your calls will be in the country where you are traveling. SIM cards come with a certain amount of minutes included in their price so be sure to guess accurately. Be sure to confirm with your cellular provider that your phone supports a SIM card prior to deciding on using them as a communication solution.

If your phone isn't suitable or you want to consider another option, consider a GSM cell phone rental for the duration of your trip. You can rent a GSM phone or a satellite phone that can be used worldwide, and you can have the same phone number wherever you go. Each GSM international cell phone takes a SIM card designed for the country that you’re visiting which “unlocks” the phone and activates your phone number as a local number, making your calls in that country much, much cheaper. These can be ordered directly online from companies such as Telestitial .

Now to make this just a bit more confusing, Japan and South Korea use their own system called 3G. If you need a phone while traveling to those two countries, you will have to rent a phone, since no phone distributed in the U.S. support the 3G protocol.

If you’ll be traveling to a location that’s well off the beaten path, consider satellite phone rental. Many carriers offer satellite cell phones for users who are traveling abroad, and the phones themselves are usually designed for harsh environments, with extra-rugged, water- and dust-proof casings. Even if you’re in a jungle, you’ll be able to make calls, check e-mail and text message your friends and family. Some rental phones can work as both a cell phone and a satellite phone.

The absolute cheapest way to call home from overseas is by using calling cards. Calling cards are very popular outside the US and you can by them at most stores or magazine stands in pretty much every country in the world.

There are plenty of options to consider for your phone services when traveling. Determine what you believe your needs will be then check out the options you have to get the most for the least amount of money.

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Stormy Knight, Certified Travel Agent, owns and operates BargainTravel.com, a site specializing in low-cost travel options and discount consolidator flights. Stop by and join the community of travel savers. http://www.bargaintravel.com

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