Mobile phone usage
 

I have used Tmobile for years in the US but have never taken my cell phone with me
when vacationing abroad. Im a little nervous being without a cell phone in Bali - specially as i am traveling alone....Any suggestions?

My suggestion? relax...

Someone here will tell you about getting a sim card for your phone (if it is unlocked) or buying a cheap phone there. But think about why you feel the need to have a cell phone there. One of the wonderful things about being half-way around the world for me is that no one is calling me. Yes, they can get in touch via email if needed, but that's not as intrusive as a phone call (maybe in the middle of the night as your friends or family won't remember what time it is on Bali). Maybe there is a reason you need a cell phone on Bali, but consider that maybe there isn't.

One thing people seem to forget about is that even if you don't have a roaming plan, your phone will work for emergency calls in most countries (if there's a compatible network). If all you're worried about is being able to make a call to emergency services, you don't really need to do anything.

If you want to be able to stay in touch, I would look into roaming plans rather than purchasing SIM cards. It's easier and all you have to do is manage it. I don't take calls from unknown numbers when I'm out of the country, and mostly use my phone for texting, which is cheaper.

If it makes you feel better by bringing the phone, go ahead. DH and I have a family plan with T-mobile, he was able to call me from Jakarta using the same phone and the same US sim card. You can call T mobile to see if there is roaming in Bali. A few minutes here and there can cost several hundred dollars though. I tried to dispute and got nowhere.

I had the same question prior to my recent trip to Bali. In order to use your Tmobil service internationally you need to call and ask to turn on the roaming service free of charge. Roaming service charge in Indonesia however is ~ $5.00/min. You can potentially get hit with the roaming charge just by turning your phone on since your phone will try to communicate with the nearest cell tower. Anyway I did turn on the roaming service but kept the phone turned off until I bought a prepaid sim card in Bali and swapped out the sim card. Don't forget your phone had to be capable of using the right frequency and unlocked (for the prepaid sim card).

Thanks guys. The phone was only for emergency usage..so im going to check with tmobile about their roaming charges

Tmobile works in Bali, does for me. i get a Simpati sim card they are like 7 bucks and you can add minutes as needed. Yeah, agree w/ above def make sure your phone is unlocked before you get there. have fun.