[Idyllchat] Roman (roamin') phones?

Sat Mar 10 13:07:58 EST 2007

I'll second the use of a Mobal phone.  I don't do a lot of calling either within Europe when I'm there or calling back to the states.  I love Mobal's program and ease of use -- pay only for what you use.  Yes, the per minute rate is higher but no more leaving with a phone card or SIM card charged with minutes you can't use before they expire.  And no monthly fees.  And your phone number is yours to keep forever (if you buy) or known before you leave (if you rent) so you can let those you want to have it know what it is.
I've used Mobal for the past year and highly recommend them if you want cell service for the occasional call.  It's definitely not a program for heavy talkers, but for those who only need occasional calling, it's great!
Christine in Massachusetts

-------------- Original message from Scott Baldwin <sbaldwin at san.rr.com>: -------------- 

> Patricia, 
> 
> You have correctly surmised that you need a GSM for use in Europe. 
> (Actually the entire rest of the world uses GSM, only in the USA do we 
> have three different, incompatible technologies) 
> 
> GSM in Europe operates on different frequencies than the US GSM phones. 
> Europe uses 900 and 1800 mhz, Cingular and T-mobile in the US use GSM 
> on 850(800) and 1900. Therefore a phone that works on just the two US 
> bands, will not work in Europe, and visa versa. 
> 
> The best option is to get a quad band GSM phone. This phone works on 
> all 4 frequencies and with the appropriate SIM card ( a small dime 
> sized card that is easily installed and removed from the phone) you can 
> use this phone anywhere in the world, including the USA. 
> 
> It is also a good idea to get an unlocked phone. Most Cell phone 
> providers lock their phones to their own service, but an unlocked phone 
> can use any SIM on any system. If you do get a locked phone, they can 
> be unlocked for a small fee. ($10.00 - 20.00) 
> 
> Believe it or not the best place to buy an unlocked, quad band phone is 
> e-bay. Before you purchase on e-bay be sure to check the sellers 
> feedback rating carefully. 
> 
> The next thing to consider is the SIM card. 
> 
> The cheapest option is to get a SIM card once you get to Italy. The 
> Italian SIM will give you the best rate, but it is a bit of a hassle 
> finding a place to buy it, and you won't know your number until you get 
> the SIM, so the first thing you will have to do is contact folks back 
> home to let them know what your number is. The SIM you buy there is 
> preloaded with a certain amount of minutes, which can be recharged. 
> It's one more thing to have to think about once you get there. 
> 
> An option with less hassle, but a little more expensive, is to get an 
> international SIM card before you leave. This way you will know your 
> number before you leave, and you don't have to deal with finding a SIM 
> when you get there or recharging minutes. 
> 
> The SIM I use is the Mobal card. 
> 
> http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/sim.asp?source=0046G045N&p=C118&cc= 
> 
> The per minute charge is higher, but you only pay for what you use, and 
> there is no contract. Minutes used are billed to your credit card. 
> The SIM itself is free. So if you have a quad band unlocked phone, you 
> can get this SIM from Mobal and you are ready to roam anywhere in the 
> world. 
> 
> This company also sells two phones that will work in Europe, one that 
> works in Europe only for $49.00 including the SIM, and another quad 
> band for $99.00 which works anywhere in the world. Both of these 
> phones work well but are locked to Mobal's system, so if you ever 
> wanted to use a different SIM you would have to get it unlocked. Not 
> really a problem, actually a quick and easy way to get a European cell 
> phone and you can always get it unlocked later if you want to use a 
> different SIM. 
> 
> http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp?source=0046G045N&kw=Mobal 
> 
> 
> The good news is that Italy supposedly has the best cell phone coverage 
> in the world. 
> 
> Cheers, 
> 
> Scott 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mar 10, 2007, at 9:12 AM, Patricia Edie wrote: 
> 
> > Great question....I am eager to see responses as well! 
> > Patricia Edie 
> > 
> > 
> >> We're scheduled to be in a Rome UnTours apartment shortly for three 
> >> weeks; we've been caring for a family member who had emergency 
> >> surgery and we'd like to stay in not-quite-daily touch without paying 
> >> exorbitant int'l phone rates. We have Sprint (more like a slow 
> >> stroll) cellphones, but they don't accept GSM SIM cards for Europe. 
> >> So, the question: What system has worked well for any of you who 
> >> have had similar needs? Pro's and con's? 
> >> 
> >> Thanks, Pat and Jack 
> > 
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