AT&T Go Phone in Greece
 

Has anyone used their AT&T Go Phone in Greece? If it's possible what would be the most convenient and cost-effective process?

I understand there are some hoops regarding getting the phone "unlocked". Can anyone please walk me through those regarding whom to contact, the terminology and the timeline?

Much obliged...bdj

Not only does it have to be unlocked from a usage provider's plan but it has to be able to function on the two phone frequencies used in Greece, which are not the same as those in the States. What you need is a quadband "world phone", one that works on all 4 frequencies, 850/1900 (USA) and 900/180 (Greece) MHz.

If it's unlocked and frequency-capable you can buy a local SIM card once you're in Greece. Cosmote and Vodafone are the two most widely-used companies with cheap SIMs. They cost around €5 and of course you can buy as many extra minutes as you're willing to pay for.

Sorry for the typo, Greece's frequencies are 900/1800 MHz.

>If it's possible what would be the most convenient and cost-effective process?

If it has to be AT&T Go Phone:
- buy Samsung A157 at Walmart or Amazon or.. cost is $14.80 plus tax.

- dial *#7337#, this resets the phone, unlocks it and deletes it's imei number. it won't work on at&t anymore.

- buy a greek sim card and use it in greece, any Card except Vodafone works.

you also need an adapter plug for the charger.

hi bdj,
i work for AT&T. There are a select few phones that will roam on european towers but the phone WILL be locked for AT&T service. (Gophone service per se will not work over there) If you do find a gophone that you have unlocked it would be best to aquire a SIM card for it in Greece.

If you need to buy an unlocked quadband world phone you can do so all day on eBay for under $50. They're even set up for dual SIMs.

The A157 is the cheapest quad band fone I've ever seen, o.k. it lacks many features and only has US UMTS frequencies for data. Unlocking can be done by a baby, losing the imei however. I need to buy more, when I come to the US.

Lee,

From what you have described will this unit work? Just concerned with making and taking calls, local and international.

Thanks, bdj

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes, that's exactly the sort of phone I'd take with me, although I'd probably never use any of those bells and whistles except for the mp3 player.

Bookmarking to see the answer, BDJ. What a bargain, if it works!

Thanks for all the input. Not certain what dual SIMS is all about but should be easy to glean.

nukesafe,
Return end of May and will give full report. If this works as the single phone for all international travel--nice windfall.

Lee,
Can you assist me with the process to get a Greek SIM upon arriving at the Athens airport? Will the place that the SIM is purchased assist me in getting it up and working?

Much obliged...bdj

The last time I was there I bought my Cosmote SIM from the Germanos Store in the Departures Hall, but you have to have a departing boarding pass to get past the security checkpoint. If you're flying out that same day that shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise you'll have to find one in Central Athens. There's a Germanos Store not too far from Syntagma Square. If you're good at following maps check the google map for Akadimias 76 Athina 106 78, Greece. There's also a Cosmote outlet close to the Panepistimiou Metro Station, Leoforos Eleftheriou Venizelou 39 Athina 105 64, Greece.

If by chance you're heading to Santorini there's a Germanos Store right alongside the main square in Fira on the downhill one-way street.

Yes, they will register and activate it for you and sell you as many minutes as you require. You can top off your minutes all over Greece at Germanos Stores as well as local supermarkets that provide that service using a credit card.

You can buy the Cosmote cards not only in supermarkets, but also from every kiosk all over Greece ( you see them on every corner in Athens and other cities , they are called Periptero and are selling everything you can imagine).

In Athens, the shop at Leoforos Venizelou brotherlee mentioned, is known under the name Panepistimiou Street..
Locals would not even know the old name of the street, so if you have to ask for it, use Panepistimiou STreet instead.. i think the signs at the metro station are stating Panepistimiou Street as well :)

Don't leave for Athens for a couple of weeks but wanted to update on the BLU Samba phone. I've been practicing with it and the keys are close together so that takes some getting used to but definitely workable.

My AT&T Go Phone Sim card popped right in and worked like a charm instantly. The clerk at the AT&T branch said it wouldn't but upon purchasing a generic SIM at Target, their clerk (who was taken with the phone immediately) stated there was no reason the AT&T SIM shouldn't work. Popped it in right in the store and started making calls.

I am used to the tight key configuration now so my suggestion if someone were to go this route, practice with the phone a couple of weeks prior to leaving.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1