GEsssa

Hi:
I am leaving on a trip to Japan, China, Myanmar and Thailand on March 28 for one month and need to be able to call the US. Is the best idea to buy any unlocked phone and put in a new sim card each time I arrive in a country or is there some deal that beats that arrangement. Thanks in advance for any advice.
GEsssa

Kathie

Yup, get an unlocked phone, buy a new card in each country.

You are visiting 4 countries in one month? Yipes! And of those could be a whole month. You might consider choosing just two.

amln

Exactly. Simple GSM phones are available starting at 20-30 Euro, and local SIM cards make sense even if you stay only a few days in a country.

BTW, don't you have unlocked mobile phones in the US? Most phones in Europe are unlocked.

Kathie

No, in the US you have to make an effort to get an unlocked phone.

rhkkmk

I also have very good luck using Skype phone... simply load $10-20 into their preload and make your calls---very, very cheap per minute...

GEsssa

@kathie:
Yes, wish I had the money and time to make numerous trips to Asia so I am approaching this as a one-tshot deal.
Thanks for your advice, rhough.
GEsssa

temppeternh

Most of the world works on the same GSM frequencies but North America's are different, so if you take a phone from there you need to check. Simpler and older phones will work neither in Japan nor China. Tri-band or quad-band phones will work in China but no Japan which has no GSM network. Most modern 3G or 4G smartphones will work in both countries, and if you're coming from Europe or almost anywhere else you'll have no problem in China, but will need 3G or 4G for Japan.

This page tells you something about the Japan requirements:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html

If in China with a 3G phone, a China Unicom sim card, typically ¥100 from a kiosk on the street including some credit, will serve your data and call needs adequately, setting aside the blocking of innumerable web sites, which you'll need a good VPN to avoid.

someotherguy

Nonresidents are not allowed to buy voice SIMs in Japan, but they can rent them. And they can buy prepaid data-only SIMs. Just Google "Japan SIM". Personally, I'd use Skype.

kuranosuke

in thailand and singapore, i use my old motorola razr, with the local sim card. i had these phones unlock when i used them at home.

like bob, i also use skype, using my ipad and ipod. its a great app, and i use it all the time when i travel.

sartoric

I tried buying a local SIM card in Myanmar, for my unlocked iPhone. The cost was $2 per day. Skype has been fine, and much cheaper.

Kathie

Myanmar is an exception to every rule. Not too long ago foreigners were not allowed to buy local SIMs at all. Skye will work if you have a good enough internet connection, meaning not too often. Sartoric has had better luck with internet connections than most people do!

JPDeM

It is unlikely that your phone will work in Japan. In any case, as other have said, Skype is the best solution even if you have a local SIM.

harrybridges

yes, you should buy a phone unlocked, phone locked can not use in china

sartoric

I've developed a theory about wifi in Myanmar. I reckon there's an inverse relationship between the cost of the hotel, and the internet connectivity.

In other words, the cheapest place I've stayed ($50 USD) had the best wifi. Last nights more expensive hotel ($120 USD) had internet for about 8 minutes out of the nearly 24 hours I was there.

Just a theory, shot down by Traders Hotel in Yangon. I didn't stay there, but sought respite form the heat in their cool lobby. I bought a drink, which came with free wifi.

Even the smallest and dodgiest looking cafés seem to have free wifi.

Prachuap

Sim cards are ok value for calls in Thailand but disable the internet cause its expensive and your credit disappears quick. Hotels normally have free wifi.