SIM Cards - While Travelling in Europe
Jul 22nd, 2008, 04:58 AM
#1
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SIM Cards - While Travelling in Europe
One day we will all be able to travel overseas/roam with our mobiles/cellphones with inbuilt GPS devices without getting ripped off by the service providers in our home countries
That time must be fast approaching, but using foreign Sim Cards must logically be the best current option.
I would like to be able to buy a European SIM Card that allows me large or unlimited data access so I can walk around Europe's complex streets using Google Earth or similar. I currently use it and other navigation programs in Australia on my Blackberry.
Does anyone have any advice on the best value European telecom service provider with a good data plan ???
Thanks for any help you can provide.
That time must be fast approaching, but using foreign Sim Cards must logically be the best current option.
I would like to be able to buy a European SIM Card that allows me large or unlimited data access so I can walk around Europe's complex streets using Google Earth or similar. I currently use it and other navigation programs in Australia on my Blackberry.
Does anyone have any advice on the best value European telecom service provider with a good data plan ???
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 06:20 AM
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I think you are going to have trouble getting a good deal on European data plans. The unlimited data plan seems like a foreign concept in much of Europe, and even where you can get it, I doubt you will be able to get it on any sort of pay as you go plan.
Moreover, you still have the cross-border issue. You can get some consideration when going from country to country where the same carrier operates, but not enough to make it practical to do what you want. So, you are still left with switching SIM cards at each border.
My suggestion would be to cough up the money for one of the better 3rd party apps for the Blackberry, like those from Garmin, such that you can utilize the GPS and maps, without relying on the internet.
Moreover, you still have the cross-border issue. You can get some consideration when going from country to country where the same carrier operates, but not enough to make it practical to do what you want. So, you are still left with switching SIM cards at each border.
My suggestion would be to cough up the money for one of the better 3rd party apps for the Blackberry, like those from Garmin, such that you can utilize the GPS and maps, without relying on the internet.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 06:38 AM
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I have used an iPAQ 6510 in Europe on T-MobileWeb for $5.99 per month unlimited. This is not advertised, and it's not <i>supposed</i> to work - but it does, as long as my phone is registered on the T-Mobile network.*
This may or may not work for you (no one has been able to explain why mine does), but you might want to try it.
Otherwise, just use a WiFi phone to update your position from time to time when you can access a hotspot.
* If I'm roaming - on another carrier's network - it doesn't work.
This may or may not work for you (no one has been able to explain why mine does), but you might want to try it.
Otherwise, just use a WiFi phone to update your position from time to time when you can access a hotspot.
* If I'm roaming - on another carrier's network - it doesn't work.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 06:49 AM
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Cingular phones now work in Europe (as of a few months ago). I had my T-Mobile Samsung T229 red entry level, flip style cell phone in Paris last month because I planned to use it once we landed back in the US. When I was unpacking in Paris, I noticed the display had changed to French so I tried it - bingo! The call back to the US was $1.29/minute, however.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 07:58 AM
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Both AT&T/Cingular and T-Mobile have networks in Europe. AT&T charges <b>$1.29</b> per minute, whereas T-Mobile is <b>99¢</b>.
I used AT&T in 2003, but dropped them soon after when they refused to cancel some bogus charges.
I used AT&T in 2003, but dropped them soon after when they refused to cancel some bogus charges.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 08:10 AM
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Dukey...
Don't know where you're from but if you have a US gsm carrier (AT&T or T Mobile USA), you can use your phone in Europe, provided it has at least one of the European frequencies and you activate international roaming (incidentally neither AT&T or T Mobile USA have networks in Europe, they have roaming agreements with European networks, big difference) but the call prices are asininely high...99¢/minute to make and receive calls with T Mobile, $1.29/minute with AT%T (although for $5.99/month, thehy will drop this to 99¢/minute)...I find these rates absurd...of course if you are just using the cell phone on an emergency basis (you know you want the dog sitter to have a number to reach you), well it is convenient.
But it is a giant rip off; especially in the case of T Mobile. Here's why...you can roam with a T Mobile US phone on T Mobile UK...both T Mobile US and T Mobile UK are fully owned by Deutsches Telecom...well the explanation you get is part of the 99¢ is to repay the roaming carrier for using their network...in other words T Mobile US repays T Mobile UK for using their network and charges you for that, right. Wellmaybe I'm missing something but when T Mobile US repays T Mobile UK for using its roaming network it's in effect taking money from the left pocket of Deutsches Telecom and putting it in the right pocket with a stop in your pocketbook.
The fact is, a fair rate for roaming would be about 34¢/minute...if that was the case it wouldn't be necessary to go off with foreign sims.
Alas alas, international roaming is a big cash cow for the US carriers.
At least the eu has done something about it for Europeans within the eu.
Don't know where you're from but if you have a US gsm carrier (AT&T or T Mobile USA), you can use your phone in Europe, provided it has at least one of the European frequencies and you activate international roaming (incidentally neither AT&T or T Mobile USA have networks in Europe, they have roaming agreements with European networks, big difference) but the call prices are asininely high...99¢/minute to make and receive calls with T Mobile, $1.29/minute with AT%T (although for $5.99/month, thehy will drop this to 99¢/minute)...I find these rates absurd...of course if you are just using the cell phone on an emergency basis (you know you want the dog sitter to have a number to reach you), well it is convenient.
But it is a giant rip off; especially in the case of T Mobile. Here's why...you can roam with a T Mobile US phone on T Mobile UK...both T Mobile US and T Mobile UK are fully owned by Deutsches Telecom...well the explanation you get is part of the 99¢ is to repay the roaming carrier for using their network...in other words T Mobile US repays T Mobile UK for using their network and charges you for that, right. Wellmaybe I'm missing something but when T Mobile US repays T Mobile UK for using its roaming network it's in effect taking money from the left pocket of Deutsches Telecom and putting it in the right pocket with a stop in your pocketbook.
The fact is, a fair rate for roaming would be about 34¢/minute...if that was the case it wouldn't be necessary to go off with foreign sims.
Alas alas, international roaming is a big cash cow for the US carriers.
At least the eu has done something about it for Europeans within the eu.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 08:27 AM
#8
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<i>international roaming is a big cash cow for the US carriers</i>
I completely agree that $1.29 a minute, plus paying for both outgoing and incoming calls is absurdly high, but I really doubt the amount the US carriers make from its US users roaming internationally is anything other than a drop in the bucket.
FWIW, I have also used my AT&T/Cingular phone in Europe at least since 2004, on an "emergency" basis only and it worked great. When you turn on the phone, it searches for an "available network", which will not be AT&T, but some other local network (like Vodaphone, or Orange).
I completely agree that $1.29 a minute, plus paying for both outgoing and incoming calls is absurdly high, but I really doubt the amount the US carriers make from its US users roaming internationally is anything other than a drop in the bucket.
FWIW, I have also used my AT&T/Cingular phone in Europe at least since 2004, on an "emergency" basis only and it worked great. When you turn on the phone, it searches for an "available network", which will not be AT&T, but some other local network (like Vodaphone, or Orange).
Jul 22nd, 2008, 04:41 PM
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At the risk of offending Telco management types by generalising, let me be more specific.
I raised this thread particularly because Apple I-Phone has recently gone 3G with GPS and my Blackberry 9000/Bold, also 3G with GPS will be delivered at the end of the month. I pay about AUD 40 per month for unlimited data and email for use IN AUSTRALIA ONLY.
If I roamed overseas on that account and used my GPS function on that Blackberry then my costs would well exceed AUD 40 per day.
There are many people who do not understand that using Google Maps, Blackberry Maps or the Apple related maps requires an intensive data connection. I am sure the Telcos will do well over the next several months.
The Garmin software does not work effectively and synch with the Blackberry yet, but one day it will and it will be worth paying for.
There are a few software programmes for Blackberry like Trekbuddy that allow you to download partial maps to your Blackberry micro-SD data card that will synch with the GPS. However this can be tedious.
I like the sound of the tip provided by Robespierre.
I guess the makers of GPS devices also have a need to keep things the way they are.
I raised this thread particularly because Apple I-Phone has recently gone 3G with GPS and my Blackberry 9000/Bold, also 3G with GPS will be delivered at the end of the month. I pay about AUD 40 per month for unlimited data and email for use IN AUSTRALIA ONLY.
If I roamed overseas on that account and used my GPS function on that Blackberry then my costs would well exceed AUD 40 per day.
There are many people who do not understand that using Google Maps, Blackberry Maps or the Apple related maps requires an intensive data connection. I am sure the Telcos will do well over the next several months.
The Garmin software does not work effectively and synch with the Blackberry yet, but one day it will and it will be worth paying for.
There are a few software programmes for Blackberry like Trekbuddy that allow you to download partial maps to your Blackberry micro-SD data card that will synch with the GPS. However this can be tedious.
I like the sound of the tip provided by Robespierre.
I guess the makers of GPS devices also have a need to keep things the way they are.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 09:14 PM
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<i>The Garmin software does not work effectively and synch with the Blackberry yet,</i>
That is a bit surprising. Too bad. Unfortunately, you might be out of luck.
BTW, the iPhone also uses Google maps, so you do have the same issues with the data connection. Rumor has it that TomTom has software ready to go for the iPhone, but it is caught up in discussions with Apple to see if it can be released.
That is a bit surprising. Too bad. Unfortunately, you might be out of luck.
BTW, the iPhone also uses Google maps, so you do have the same issues with the data connection. Rumor has it that TomTom has software ready to go for the iPhone, but it is caught up in discussions with Apple to see if it can be released.
