Cell phone in Ireland
Jun 3rd, 2016, 11:28 AM
#1
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Cell phone in Ireland
My Sony Ericsson small cell phone which I use in Ireland needs to be reactivated. If I can do this I can add money on SIM card. I lost over Euros 75 one time and also the phone number when it expired. I only need a cell phone to make contacts and short calls so do not need Smart phone or anything fancy.
Was told many times I should have the phone unlocked to be able to use it in any of the countries in EU. Have tried to do this at Verizon, AT&T and other shops without success. I was in the Vodafone store in Cork city to add cash last time and the representative advised me to add small amount that would be more than enough for 48 hrs. as I was leaving next day. That was not the case, as I only made 1 or 2 very short calls and once again the SIM was expiring.
Asked about renting phone for the short time I will be away at both AT&T and Verizon and told they no longer rent cell phones for travel abroad. They recommended I buy a new phone that would work but it carries a contract costing about $40 a month over 24 months, plus a charge of about $22 for the period I would use it.
Any better choices. If I could get my old phone activated might be the easiest route. Thanks.
Was told many times I should have the phone unlocked to be able to use it in any of the countries in EU. Have tried to do this at Verizon, AT&T and other shops without success. I was in the Vodafone store in Cork city to add cash last time and the representative advised me to add small amount that would be more than enough for 48 hrs. as I was leaving next day. That was not the case, as I only made 1 or 2 very short calls and once again the SIM was expiring.
Asked about renting phone for the short time I will be away at both AT&T and Verizon and told they no longer rent cell phones for travel abroad. They recommended I buy a new phone that would work but it carries a contract costing about $40 a month over 24 months, plus a charge of about $22 for the period I would use it.
Any better choices. If I could get my old phone activated might be the easiest route. Thanks.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 11:41 AM
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Buy an unlocked GSM-compatible smart phone. I recommend the Moto E International GSM (unlocked) - model # XT1521. That's the one I bought from Amazon before leaving on my current trip. (I have another version of the Moto E I use at home.) You can get the XT1521 for about $90 on Amazon. There may be cheaper alternatives - but I have this one so can recommend it. It works in the US, too, on T-Mobile or AT&T, but not as a 4G phone.
Then buy a SIM card when you get back to Ireland or try to re-use the one you have. The Moto E does use a "micro SIM" (smaller version) - your old SIM could be cut with a special tool to fit if need be. If you buy a new SIM, make sure it is the micro size for that phone.
A smart phone has so many advantages these days it's really not worth not getting one if the cost isn't much different. You get things like GPS and real-time mapping (excellent for walking and public transit direction in cities), language translation apps, the ability to make free phone calls home (even to landlines) with Google Hangouts, etc.
Then buy a SIM card when you get back to Ireland or try to re-use the one you have. The Moto E does use a "micro SIM" (smaller version) - your old SIM could be cut with a special tool to fit if need be. If you buy a new SIM, make sure it is the micro size for that phone.
A smart phone has so many advantages these days it's really not worth not getting one if the cost isn't much different. You get things like GPS and real-time mapping (excellent for walking and public transit direction in cities), language translation apps, the ability to make free phone calls home (even to landlines) with Google Hangouts, etc.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 11:48 AM
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But I'm not clear why you can't get the Sony unlocked? If you had an Irish SIM in it before, it must have been unlocked once. Why not now? Is this a phone you originally got with a contract on a carrier (AT&T?). The originally carrier should be able to unlock it for you if it has become locked again for some reason. In fact, if they gave you an unlock code once, the same code might work again.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 04:54 PM
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I received the Sony Ericsson as a gift from family member about 4 or 5 years ago. It worked quite well but after losing over Euros 75 when card expired I added smaller amounts when I was in Ireland at Vodafone shop. I got advice from other travelers to get the phone unlocked to make it easier to switch SIM cards. Went into AT&T and Verizon stores and was told they do not unlock phones. They gave me options to consider phones that provide service in Ireland but it meant taking contract plus payment for service for few weeks.
If I decide to buy a new phone will request that it be unlocked to avoid future hassle.
I arrive Dublin airport early morning when there are no phone shops or vendors open so its inconvenient not having a phone to make contact advising my arrival time at first stop. Thanks for above recommendation which I will consider.
If I decide to buy a new phone will request that it be unlocked to avoid future hassle.
I arrive Dublin airport early morning when there are no phone shops or vendors open so its inconvenient not having a phone to make contact advising my arrival time at first stop. Thanks for above recommendation which I will consider.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 08:50 PM
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Phones are locked in the first place when you get them from a carrier - that is, you get a phone from AT&T to use on their service. Then they have to unlock it to use it on any other service.
If you simply buy a phone not from AT&T or Verizon, etc., it will not be locked, because the carrier isn't trying to recover a subsidy for the phone that was cheaper so you could use it on their service. Just using a phone on a service doesn't lock it.
If your Sony didn't come from Verizon or AT&T, of course they can't unlock it now. They only unlock phones they provided in the first place. If someone simply bought you the Sony outright it should still be unlocked.
You may be confusing locking phones with keeping a SIM activated. The only reason you would want/need to do that would be so that the next time you get to Ireland, your phone will work the minute you land at the airport and you will still have the same number as last time. If you don't care about either of those things, just get a new SIM for the Sony as soon as you can when you get to Ireland, with Vodafone or any other company, and you'll get a new Irish phone number. Vodafone didn't lock your phone in the first place if you simply bought a SIM from them the last time.
If you simply buy a phone not from AT&T or Verizon, etc., it will not be locked, because the carrier isn't trying to recover a subsidy for the phone that was cheaper so you could use it on their service. Just using a phone on a service doesn't lock it.
If your Sony didn't come from Verizon or AT&T, of course they can't unlock it now. They only unlock phones they provided in the first place. If someone simply bought you the Sony outright it should still be unlocked.
You may be confusing locking phones with keeping a SIM activated. The only reason you would want/need to do that would be so that the next time you get to Ireland, your phone will work the minute you land at the airport and you will still have the same number as last time. If you don't care about either of those things, just get a new SIM for the Sony as soon as you can when you get to Ireland, with Vodafone or any other company, and you'll get a new Irish phone number. Vodafone didn't lock your phone in the first place if you simply bought a SIM from them the last time.
Jun 5th, 2016, 09:47 AM
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I wanted to be sure the phone was not locked to enable me to switch SIMs easily. Will follow your advice if I can get Vodafone place locally, upgrade the SIM and get new number. I will carry my SONY phone into NYC shops to see if they can determine if phone is locked.
When I was in AT&T and Verizon recently I did not have Sony with me, I have an AT&T cell phone just for local use and was told it would not work in Europe. Its not a smart phone, just a small phone that works with SIM to provide service here in US.
Thanks for responding.
When I was in AT&T and Verizon recently I did not have Sony with me, I have an AT&T cell phone just for local use and was told it would not work in Europe. Its not a smart phone, just a small phone that works with SIM to provide service here in US.
Thanks for responding.
Jun 5th, 2016, 11:20 AM
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Yeah, not all GSM phones that work in the US work in Europe. I have an older Sony Ericsson flip phone that I used with T-Mobile in the US but does not work in Europe. It doesn't have the right GSM frequencies.
Jun 6th, 2016, 08:20 AM
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I spoke today to manager at AT&T and had him open my Sony Ericsson phone. Its locked by Vodafone. He put in a SIM from my US cell phone to test and said the phone will work perfectly if I go into Vodafone and try getting it unlocked there and get new SIM.
He also advised buying unlocked Smartphone and suggested 2 places in my area that can show me phones. I will make note of the Moto E International GSM (unlocked) - model # XT1521 and see if its available locally.
Looks like it won't be a big problem to have service using new Smartphone or unlocking the Sony. If Vodafone costs close to same price to unlock and provide new SIM, then I will get updated and learn the Smartphone. Thanks to all.
He also advised buying unlocked Smartphone and suggested 2 places in my area that can show me phones. I will make note of the Moto E International GSM (unlocked) - model # XT1521 and see if its available locally.
Looks like it won't be a big problem to have service using new Smartphone or unlocking the Sony. If Vodafone costs close to same price to unlock and provide new SIM, then I will get updated and learn the Smartphone. Thanks to all.
Jun 6th, 2016, 01:30 PM
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If your Sony is locked by Vodaphone, then perhaps the phone originally came from them.
The Moto E XT1521 is not available for retail sale in the US. I bought it from Amazon as an imported phone. (Brand new but no warranty.) I think it was made for the India market, though everything looks about the same (in English) as my other Moto E phones. There are other unlocked smart phones you can buy - this is just one I suggested because I know from experience that it works great in Europe.
The Moto E XT1521 is not available for retail sale in the US. I bought it from Amazon as an imported phone. (Brand new but no warranty.) I think it was made for the India market, though everything looks about the same (in English) as my other Moto E phones. There are other unlocked smart phones you can buy - this is just one I suggested because I know from experience that it works great in Europe.
