carmand

We will be traveling to the UK for a week in September. Before we leave, my husband and I plan to replace our old cell phones with new ones that can be used in Europe, probably the Nokia 3100 from Cingular. By the way, I was told by a Cingular representative that their Nokia phones are sold unlocked.

I see three options:
1. Use Cingular roaming at $1.29 per minute for calls both received and made. We can send and receive text messages while in Europe for $.20 per message.
2. Buy a UK SIM card (for one phone only)
3. Buy a global SIM card that can also be used for later trips to other countries

Although text messaging will not be good for calling UK B&Bs, restaurants, etc., it should take care of contact with family and friends if we decide to go with Cingular roaming since everyone has either email or cell phones. Am I missing something?

I am having trouble finding good information about the global SIMs. I see several advantages to the global cards, but how do their prices compare to country specific SIMs?

Also, are SIM cards specific to a service provider? T-Mobile is the only UK carrier listed on Cingular web site as having the nationwide 1800 Mhz service required for the Nokia 3100. Do I need to make sure I buy a T-Mobile SIM card if we decide to go that way?

Advice? Is there anything else that I am missing?

Thanks!
Reggie

rkkwan

1. I am not sure what you mean by a "global SIM" card. In fact, your Cingular SIM card is already global. It just costs more to use it outside the US. Any SIM card will have to be based in some "home" country, and using it outside will always cost more. But chances are that it will cost a little less to use a UK SIM card in France than to use a Cingular SIM card in France.

2. Major problem with the Nokia 3100 sold by Cingular is that while it's a tri-band phone, it's 800/1800/1900. Both the 800 and 1900 bands are used in the US only. And internationally, the two bands used are 900 and 1800. Since that Nokia doesn't have 900MHz, therefore, it cannot use any network around the world that's 900 only.

carmand

Thanks for the information.

I believe I used the incorrect term when I said 'global' SIM. What I want is information on an international SIM, such as the HopAbroad. I've found some details, but not a good comparison between it and local country SIMs. About all I know is that you keep the same number and it costs more than a single country SIM. Where can I go to compare costs and other differences?

I'm not too worried about the lack of a 900 band. Most of the countries that we plan to visit over the next few years appear to have good 1800 band coverage.

Thanks again! Reggie

Patty

I checked out the HopAbroad SIM you're referring to. It looks like the outgoing call rate is $0.95 per minute + $0.26 setup fee (whatever that is?) and incoming calls are $0.35 per minute. While the call rates are somewhat cheaper than Cingular, the card itself costs $99 and comes with only $15 of airtime. You would have to make a lot of calls in one week to realize any savings over your Cingular roaming plan. And if you're going to make that many calls, you're much better off just buying a UK SIM. I see no good reason to get this HopAbroad card.

Patty

This will give you an idea of outgoing call rates with a UK SIM for comparison (incoming calls are free):

http://www.telestial.com/products/uk_virgin_sim.htm

But don't buy the card here or you'll pay a premium. Wait until you get to the UK to buy one.

carmand

Thanks! That was exactly the information that I needed.

I'll stay away from the HopAboad. I may get the UK card once I get to London.

Reggie

isabel

DON'T BELIEVE WHAT CINGULAR TELLS YOU!

I really had a run around with them this summer trying to get an unlocked phone that would work in Europe. I went to six different Cingular stores/kiosks in my area and got conflicting information from them. I got so frustrated I actually sent a letter to the company, something I never do. Be very careful with the information they give you, their employees, while quite nice, really do not get proper training in terms of information.

I was told the exact opposite - Nokia phones from Cingular are LOCKED. You can get them unlocked - there are several internet sites that will send you a code to do this yourself (for about $5), or if you know a smart enough computer nerd you can do it for free. It turns out the Motorola phones from Cingular ARE unlocked, and they are quad band, but of course they are more expensive.

Buying a SIM card in whatever country you are in is usually the most cost effective plan. Unless you are only using it a couple of times. In Italy a SIM was 20€, incoming calls free, calls to US about 50 cents/minute. I believe I've read that in the UK it's even cheaper.

Good luck. In the end I did love having a cell phone on my trip this summer, but what a headache figuring out how to do it (at least inexpensively ).

carmand

Isabel,
I've realized that many of the people at Cingular do not have a clue.

When we bought our phones, the saleman told me that their phones ARE locked. Since he told me (quietly) that I can get unlocking information on the internet, I think he understood my question.

I called last week to add international calling to my account. I called yesterday to add it to my husband's account. After three calls yesterday, his account is still setup incorrectly. It's very frustrating.

By the way, I've found the unlocking codes I need. I plan to try them out on our new phones this weekend.

Mischka

Hi carmand. When you get to the UK buy a Virgin sim card for just 5 pounds, great value. Have a look at the web site, it tells you all the costs.

http://www.mobiles.co.uk/virgin-pay-...-sim-card.html

Have a great trip

carmand

Thanks. I'll check it out.