Cell phones in Australia, NZ, Fiji
 

Am heading for Fiji, NZ, Australia. Was told I can use my el cheapo Nokia phone to text from those countries to US. Does anyone know? I can text within US, but have never tried it outside the country. I'm a novice, but thought it might be an inexpensive way to stay in touch with "home." Thanks for any help!
KH

KH, you need to check if your phone is the GSM type, not CDMA - both network technologies are used in the US*.

If it's GSM you then need to see that it's not locked to that company's network. If it is, you should be able to get it unlocked at a modest cost.

If it ticks those boxes you can buy a SIM card in each of the three countries with prepaid call credits. Note thoiugh that you'll need a new SIM in each country, as they come with a local phone number.

For one country I'd normally recommend as an option buying a cheap mobile (cell) phone with prepaid SIM on arrival - but the problem with that is that in Australia at least, phones bought on prepaid plans are usually locked to the vendor's network, so they're no use to you in the other countries.

Have a look at this recent thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...ell-phones.cfm

* Two ways to check:
- If it's a GSM phone you can remove the battery cover and you'll see a SIM card, a small removable chip in a hinged plastic frame
- Or you could check with your phone company

Get back to us if you have any more questions.

"...phones bought on prepaid plans are usually locked to the vendor's network, so they're no use to you in the other countries."

Just realised that I might have misled you there - an exception might be the UK company Vodaphone, which I see operates in Fiji, Aust & NZ and which MIGHT be able to do you a deal covering all three. Their local website(s) might help.

Be sure you get service good all over Aust. I got Vodaphone Phone and it would not work in SA and parts of WA.

JoanneH, I'd be interested to know where Vodaphone wouldn't work. What parts of SA and WA, exactly?

I agree the voda should have worked. Unless it's prepaid and may be there was no roeming agreement with the carriers in SA.

KarBiCrBr, make sure your US phone if GSM has the bands used outside the US. North America and most countries in South America use the 850/1900 bands, the rest of the world uses 900/1800. If you have a quadband phone then you are all set.

Thank you, mrcamp, Joanne, and Neil !!! I really appreciate all of the input. However, it has scared me into leaving my cell phone at home. Don't want that worry to interfer with my fun on vacation. Family has hotel numbers and I might buy a phone card while there. Sounds like the best way.
KH

mrcamp, roaming would not be an issue. All three major Australian carriers have national coverage and so there are no need for roaming agreements as such. To my knowledge there are no carriers in this country who offer services in some states and not in others.

As each major carrier operates its own discrete network you must be within your own carrier's coverage area to obtain service. As anywhere you may strike black spots or go out of range in very remote areas. And while SA and WA do have extensive remote areas, they tend to be off the typical tourist's radar.

All three networks are quite extensive and coverage in urban areas and along major highways is usually fine. The bald statement that Vodafone doesn't work in SA is inaccurate and misleading.