Renting a cell phone
 

Is it possible to rent a cell phone in KL that will work in BKK,Laos,Siem Reap,Hanoi? If so any idea on costs? thanks

You might find it better to buy a phone on eBay or elsewhere - there's plenty of past threads on the subject if you use the search box on this forum (and also the Europe forum).

You'll need a GSM-standard phone that will work on the common international frequencies 900 & 1800 Megahertz, but if you get a triband phone that also handles North American 1900 MHz you can use it at home (assuming you're American).

I should say that while I know Vietnam uses 900/1800 I've assumed that in regard to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia -it's a pretty safe assumption but check anyway.

The downside of this idea is that you'd need to buy a prepaid SIM card on arrival in each country. The upside is that you can use the phone on future travels anywhere (excepting only Japan, I think).

Neil Oz-thanks for a comprehensive review of cell phones-yes I am from USA,have stored your info for future use.

boblax, I just realised that I left out something important - i.e. that you'd need to buy a phone that's not "locked" to a particular phone company, otherwise you wouldn't be able to use another provider's SIM (subscriber identity module) card. I understand that locking is very common with US carriers, but unlocking codes can often be downloaded from suitable websites - search on phone model +unlock. Either that or I'm told you can pay to have it unlocked.

I've probably talked you out of this option by now :)

Neil_Oz: we have an unlocked phone that will work abroad but are having trouble finding a SIM card for India to purchase. Do you have any online sellers that you'd recommend?

i just got a global cell phone package for overseas travel to vietnam, cambodia, and thailand through www.telestial.com
they have a pretty good package right now for a new unlocked siemens phone plus a global sim card (it's called global riing) - while the rates are not as good as if you were to buy individual country sim cards, this way you only need one, don't have to keep switching cards, phone numbers, etc.

Just returned from visiting most of the places you mentioned. We did not visit Laos. We used a rental phone from Phonerental Inc. I haven't received the final bill so I can't comment on the cost but the reception was always good. You can find out more about them at www.phonerentalusa.com