Cell phone coverage while abroad?

Old Jan 16th, 2014, 07:00 PM
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Cell phone coverage while abroad?

Hi guys, first time poster here.

I'm going on an exchange this upcoming spring semester to Vienna, Austria. I currently reside in Vancouver BC and I'm locked into a multi year iPhone contract with Rogers.

I was curious as to how people in similar situations have dealt with this. I would like to have texting ability and calling, as well as wifi access and perhaps some data for emergency situations (such as using Google maps or something).

I have thought of using facebook/whatsapp for wifi text messaging, and then perhaps some type of VOIP app for calling, but I'm not sure how that plays into the fact that I currently have a contract - I assume I can't just up and leave my contract temporarily?

How have you guys gone about this in the past? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!
acrossthewhat is offline  
Old Jan 16th, 2014, 07:07 PM
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I have a tablet for wifi and a cheap phone plus local sim card for calls. It's been a very good combo while traveling all over the world. In my experience it's often easier & cheaper to use 2 simpler devices than trying to use 1 to do everything. And frequently more reliable.
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Old Jan 16th, 2014, 07:24 PM
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You can have Rogers unlock your iPhone so that you can purchase a sim card in Vienna for use locally. Other than that, you should check out the AT&T International app, which allows you to make calls (VOiP) in a WiFi zone for next to nothing. Remember, texting or messaging to anywhere in the world from the iPhone to another iPhone, iPad or iPod is free if done from a WiFi zone.
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Old Jan 16th, 2014, 09:14 PM
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Yes, on the iPhone / iPad there is FaceTime - if in a wifi zone you can make video calls for nothing to other Apple products. Mostly works well - we have done it sometimes when my husband is travelling.

I am not sure what you should do about your contract - there must be an exit fee if you cancel the contract early, and it may pay you to get out of it and just get a local SIM, which would be my idea. Why not ring them and talk about options. My last preference would be to get roaming and keep the Canadian SIM; that's how you rack up serious bills.

In the recent past we have used the Yesss! SIM from the Hofer supermarkets a few times - extremely cheap, but you probably need to have some German to validate it. Pretty good for overseas calls to our patch of the world, but your milage may vary. We were also able to use the credit up (but not recharge) in Germany. Another option would be to get a SIM from Orange, which has a shop right near the Stefansdom - from what I have read here, they will install and validate your SIM for you on the spot. I think Orange may be a little more expensive but it's the service you are paying for.

Good luck, your trip sounds like a great adventure!

Lavandula
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Old Jan 16th, 2014, 10:27 PM
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I looked up Rogers's plans. Wow, you guy pay a lot to Rogers.
It looks like you don't have many options.

There is a technical part and the financial contractual part.

Financial part: Canada side
1. Keep paying your Rogers bill while you are in Austria. You either leave your Rogers SIM idle. You really can't use it without incurring high charges in Austria. Keep your expense to your obligations and not incur high roaming fees.
2. Break the contract. See if it makes more sense than #1.

Financial part: Austria side
European countries have very good prepaid options.

Technical side:
1. Using Wifi: you can do nearly everything in Austria that you are doing at home on Wifi. This has nothing to do with you having a Rogers contract.
2. Using voice/text/mobile internet. You need to have you phone unlocked to accept non-Rogers SIMs, so you can use an Austrian SIM.

I dropped contracted obligations when T-mobile USA started offering usable no contract options. But this is not an option for you.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 04:42 AM
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You'll likely only be able to get out of your contract if you pay a penalty.

See if Rogers will unlock your phone and use European SIMS while away while still paying Rogers their monthly fee. If they balk at unlocking your phone (for example, I've been told FIDO never unlocks, even when the phone is out of contract) look around and find a local cell phone repair shop. See what they charge for unlocking.

Some phones can be expensive to unlock. In that case use Kijiji.ca, craigslist, eBay etc to find a reasonably priced unlocked smart phone. Used iPhone 3s are around $100 in my area and are still usable phones.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 04:44 AM
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Greg,

Yes... we Canadians really get hosed for cell phone usage. The government recently put an end to 3 year contracts though. Max is now 2 years.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 02:14 PM
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If you decided to keep your Rogers contract (based on expense, whatever), you could probably pick up an inexpensive GSM phone in Austria for calls, and just live with it for the period of the exchange.

Lavandula
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 02:21 PM
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"...pick up an inexpensive GSM phone in Austria for calls..."

This is where we started, simple & cheap.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 03:13 PM
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I have a dedicated "Europe phone" that has a Telestial SIM in it that works all over Europe. It's not as cheap as domestic minutes in the US, of course, but not too expensive per minute.

I started with a very inexpensive cell phone, but then got a Note 1, a 5-inch smartphone which doubles as a point-and-shoot camera, packed with apps, so can also do for email (when I have wifi) and Kindle reading, etc.
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Old Jan 17th, 2014, 05:58 PM
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I also have SKYPE on my iPad. I use it to call relatives in Germany when I am home and people in the US when I am in Europe. It is very cheap. You do need wifi, however. Also, it isn't video … only phone.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 02:46 AM
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Hi,

If phone says "WCDMA/GSM" - does it work fine in France? I'm thinking about buying an ASUS fonetab from ebay US.

It says:

•Network Standard:

•DC-HSPA+ UL:5.76 Mbps/DL:42 Mbps
•3G: ◦WCDMA: 850/900/1900/2100
•2G : ◦EDGE/GSM : 850/900/1800/1900

ASUS Fonepad Atom Z2560 1.6GHz 1GB 8GB 7" Unlocked GSM+3G Phone/Dual Camera /blk

So this means it should work fine in France if I have a French SIM card (from Prixtel)?

TIA,
Vera
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