cheriann

Please help me before my eyes start bleeding from all my scrolling and research. Has anyone figured out the cell phone situation for europe? Specifically I am trying to figure out if a 900/1900 'world phone' would work in most of europe. I know a tri-band is ideal, but I am just trying to determine whether I should keep the 'world phone' I already have for future European vacations. Will 900/1900 work or do you need both the 900/1800 frequencies in most areas?

logos999

>Will 900/1900 work
Depends where you are. 900 is the "older" frequency, used by most phone providers and covers a vastly bigger area per transmitter than 1800. In some rare occasions only 1800 may be available. Coverage also depends on which network you're allowed to roam. If your SIM is i.e. a german E-Plus (1800), the phone wouldn't be able to get a signal at all in Germany, while it would be roaming on 900 in other countries.

In most areas 900 usually will do, but it depends.

cheriann

Thank you for your input! I guess I'll keep it around then and give it a try.

kerouac

In France, a simple phone card will give you calls to the U.S. for 1 euro an hour. Is a cell phone indispensable? When people want to reach me, I tell them to call my answering machine, which I check regularly.

cheriann

I've never had a cell during any of my former trips to Europe. But there are some scenerios in which I could have used one.

Two years ago my mom and dad went to Ireland and I looked after my Grandparents. My grandpa became gravely ill, and I needed to get ahold of them for updates on his condition. Finally I had to to make a very difficult decision on my own, because they could not be reached.

When on a Roadtrip through Spain, we could have used a cell phone when our car broke down in the mountains of andalucia.

Often time in Europe i will not make reservations for portions of our trip before leaving, and need to call ahead to check for vacancies, once in Europe.

Often times, I may need help with directions.

Often times, B&B owners need to be notified if you are running late.

So a cell would be useful to communicate within Europoe, and for emergencies.

P_M

Hi, cheriann.

Cell phones are so cheap these days and often free if you sign a new contract. I upgrade about every 2 years, so why not treat yourself to a new phone that you know will work? You deserve it, get a new phone.