International Cell Phone Service - Save Money While Travelling!

International Cell Phone Service: Tips, Tricks and Cellular Savings
Using your cell phone while traveling overseas is a convenient way to keep in touch with friends, family, and to keep on top of your itinerary, but getting phone service internationally can be an expensive and confusing endeavor.

Will my phone work overseas?
Many of today’s current model handsets do work internationally, particularly if your current provider uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology. In the United    States, AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM (SIM card-based technology), while the other big players, Verizon Wireless and Sprint, use CDMA technology (i.e. no SIM card). While you can find international CDMA carriers, most of them are GSM providers; GSM is considered the global standard, even though CDMA had a performance and speed advantage for decades.  It's interesting (and confusing!) to note that not all GSM handsets found in the United States work abroad (due to using different wireless frequencies), while CDMA handsets from the U.S. actually do work abroad (due to using the same frequencies).  If you are a Verizon or Sprint subscriber, it is unlikely that you will be able to pick up a network outside of the United States; both networks use CDMA/TDMA signaling, and there are limited overseas CDMA/TDMA carriers to choose from.  That said, there are always some that are compatible.

All GSM carriers broadcast their signal on different frequencies, or bands, and there are four frequency bands reserved for GSM services. AT&T uses both the 850 and 1900 MHz bands, while T-Mobile uses only the 1900 MHz band. Outside of North America, the 900 and 1800 MHz are used in Europe, Africa and most of Asia.  Older model GSM handsets typically only have one or two of the frequency bands available, so make sure you check the phone model specifications on the manufacturer’s website.

CDMA handset manufacturers have finally started to realize the potential market in global roaming capabilities, so some new CDMA handsets are dual mode phones that also have international GSM capabilities.  These are commonly referred to as "world handsets."

Figure A: 900/1800MHz Global Coverage Map (2010)

There are around 4.4 billion cellular phone subscribers in the world today, and an overwhelming majority – more than 3.86 billion of them – subscribe to GSM carriers – GSM technology has been in development and improved upon over the course of almost 30 years.

Figure B: Amount of subscribers and GSM/CDMA percentage market share over 5 years

There are more than 200 countries that embrace GSM technology, including the United States; the advantage to travelers is clear – seamless international cell phone service and communication when traveling from country to country. This allows a user from the United States or from Italy to travel to Brazil or China with one device and one phone number. While certainly not the least expensive approach to access international cellular service, it is surely the most convenient.

To sum up, to get international cell phone service in most international destinations, your phone must support both the 900 and 1800 GSM bands. If your phone doesn't support the bands you need, you'll probably want to get a upgraded phone.  Most modern handsets, or those classified as world phones, should meet your needs.  If you purchase an unlocked GSM phone (readily available in Asia and Europe, and not too difficult to come by in North America), you can usually use it on any compatible network in the world.  To check coverage in the country you are traveling to, a good resource to check technology coverage maps is GSM World.

How much will it cost to use my phone for international cell phone service?
International cellular service is still quite expensive. In fact, unlike the EU (European Union), in North America there are no tariff guidelines or limits for service providers; they are authorized to charge anything, typically from $1 to $5 per minute for voice services depending on the country. Western Europe is the most affordable destination, while the rest of the world varies considerably. Be sure to check with your wireless provider before traveling in order to avoid unpleasant, not to mention expensive, surprises!

If your phone is capable of receiving data, the good news is that you will most likely be able to navigate the Web, and send and receive emails from overseas too. The bad news is that data can be very expensive when overseas. Check with your wireless provider to see what their international data plan rates are. Some carriers have special packages that allow you email access only at affordable rates. While roaming with your current provider is often the simplest approach, it is by no means the most cost effective.  Click through to the next section on international cell phone service below to learn more about selecting the best cell phone option for you while traveling internationally.

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