International Cell Phones

Compatibility is an important consideration

One factor that might further sway your decision is international compatibility. Cellular companies in the U.S. use two main proprietary networks for their cell phone service, which means that a cell phone made to work with Verizon's CDMA network will not work on a GSM network, such as those supported by T-Mobile and AT&T. This could be important if you travel overseas and would like to take your cell phone with you. Most European, African and Asian cell phones work on GSM networks. Be aware that American GSM phones and foreign GSM phones work on different frequencies, so you will need a tri- or quad-band world phone that operates on multiple frequencies. Once you're overseas, you can swap your American SIM card for the other country's SIM card. (The SIM card is the little chip installed in your phone, usually under the battery.) SIM cards can be purchased at stores abroad or online before you leave. See our Useful Links section for more information.

In order to swap SIM cards, you will have to ask your cell phone service carrier to unlock your phone, allowing your phone to send signals on a different frequency. American companies will unlock phones for customers, but reluctantly, and usually only after you have been a subscriber for a set period of time. Make sure that you get a password to enter when you place the new SIM card in the phone, as it will not work without the password. Note that this does not mean that while you are traveling you will not be paying your monthly contract fees.

The advantage of switching SIM cards is that a local SIM card gives you a local phone number, making in-country calls inexpensive (avoiding very high roaming fees). And incoming calls (even international calls) are free to you in many countries. However, CNet.com warns that voicemail messages can cost more than at home.

Reviews say T-Mobile is the best GSM carrier, easily besting AT&T in nearly every performance factor. For international travelers who want to use their phone in other countries, T-Mobile has the best wireless service and cell phone plans.

Verizon has an option for international travelers, but it's not as efficient or inexpensive as going with T-Mobile and its GSM network and phones. Because most of Verizon's cell phones do not work in Europe, Verizon offers hybrid CDMA/GSM phones, like the BlackBerry Storm 9530 (*est. $200 with a two-year contract) and a few others. Although this would enable you to use the same phone on a Verizon CDMA network in the U.S. and on a GSM network abroad, the phones themselves are expensive, as are the per-minute charges. In addition, you are locked into a two-year contract and will need to add Verizon's international phone plan to your existing service.

Verizon also offers a free short-term phone-rental for occasional travelers. The company will lend you a CDMA/GSM phone for up to three weeks. If you travel mainly with the Americas, Verizon CDMA-only phones do work in quite a few North and Latin American countries, including many islands in the Caribbean. They also have good coverage in China, Japan and a few more Asian countries. They won't work in Europe, however.

A cheaper solution might be to buy an unlocked GSM phone for use overseas. According to Seth Colaner of PC Today, unlocked phones provide greater mobility, but the downside is that you may not be able to access all of the services provided by your cellular company, and "you're on your own when it comes to servicing or replacing your phone."

You can also check out web-based companies like www.unlock123.com, which will unlock Nokia phones for about $5. TheTravelInsider.info will do the same thing for most Nokia phones, along with many GSM world phones like Samsung, Siemens, Motorola and LG. Prices range from $5 to $30.