Guide to International Cell Phone Service

Use your own phone for international cell phone service

Though it’s not a standard feature of U.S. cell phones, some cell phones are designed to work in many parts of the world using GSM (Global System for Mobile communications). If the cell phone you use in the U.S. is GSM-ready (If you have a T-Mobile, Cingular, or M-mode type service with AT&T, then you have GSM service), and if it is tri-or quad-band (the latter is recommended), you will probably be able to access international mobile phone service with your present phone. Note: you might have to contact your phone company ahead of time to be “turned on” for international roaming.

I recommend: Use this Web site to determine if the country you’ll visit has GSM service and which frequency it operates on. Then check out the features on your current phone model at PhoneScoop. At this Web site you can also search for phones by specific specs or features and compare up to five phones side-by-side. Find out if your Cingular (now “The New AT&T”) phone will work in a foreign destination. Use the “Travel Guide” feature to confirm that you’ll find Cingular coverage when you get there. If you have a T-Mobile GSM-ready phone, you can check out coverage areas, international rates, and activate WorldClass service before you leave home.

Infrequent traveler? Consider an international cell phone rental

When you rent a phone to access international cell phone service, it will cost you more because there is another middle man involved. But this option makes sense if you travel abroad infrequently or don’t require a lot of features.

I recommend: For quick-and-easy international mobile phone rentals, check out Mobal, Cellhire, PlanetFone (you’ll receive a 10% discount if you’re a AAA member) or Planet Omni. If the frequency of your visits warrants it, any of these Web sites will sell you a phone too, or check out Business.com for more options. 

Access international cell phone service in several countries

With an international prepaid or post-paid roaming SIM card (this Subscriber Identification Module identifies you to the wireless provider) and a GSM-ready phone, you can move from country to country with the same U.S. phone number, making and receiving calls as you go. The potential downside to this option is inconsistent service and quality from one country’s network to another. And rates for this kind of flexibility can be quite high.

I recommend: Check out multi-country prepaid and post-paid SIM options from Talk Abroad, Mobal and United Mobile. In order to install a new SIM in your cell phone, your phone must be unlocked.

Access international cell phone service with several SIMs

If you’ll be staying in more than one country for a period of time, consider purchasing a prepaid SIM for each country and switching them as you move about. By using local service you’ll access air time at a lower cost-per-minute and local calls to your phone will cost less or be free of charge. You might also be able to use additional features such as data service (make sure the phone you’re using can support these advanced services).

I recommend: If you don’t already own an unlocked GSM phone, you can purchase one that is unlocked and ready to use with a GSM 900, 1800 or 1900 band SIM card for maximum flexibility. Check out Telestial for country-specific SIMs. They also have an excellent tutorial to help you understand the fine points of international cell phone service.