DebitNM

We have 2 phones, so our basic bill is higher. Plus that means 2 phone payments. And I do use a lot of data. Our basic Simple Choice is $80 for the 2 lines, bottom line is $175 a month, all in.

Kathie

Just another (non-European) data point. We used our phone in Peru in November, and had 3G coverage everywhere we used it (Lima, Cisco, Sacred Valley, Mach Picchu) and yes, for free.

Andrew

DebitNM: We have 2 phones, so our basic bill is higher. Plus that means 2 phone payments. And I do use a lot of data. Our basic Simple Choice is $80 for the 2 lines, bottom line is $175 a month, all in.

Bottom line is, what is the total cost of the phone(s) and the plan? If you can get the same phone cheaper via Verizon and the extra cost of the plan still makes Verizon cheaper overall, then it's probably not worth going to T-Mobile just to save on international roaming on an occasional trip over there.

For me, Verizon would be more expensive than T-Mobile even if I never needed international roaming. Verizon does have an "Edge" plan that competes with T-Mobile - $45/month unlimited talk (no phone subsidy) for 1GB data isn't too bad; I could probably live with that, but I get 2GB for the same price now (would cost me $60/month on Verizon for 2GB). And I already have a T-Mobile GSM phone I expect will last me at least another year. It's not clear to me whether I could simply buy my own Verizon phone without them and get that same $45/month price - they seem to want to force you to buy one of their phones along with that.

janjanjan47

One consideration for any planning to use this mostly overseas--T-Mobile makes it clear that you are roaming when out of the USA. If most of your useage is roaming, your plan may be canceled. The underlying assumption is that you generslly use the phone in your local area and occasionally use it in roaming mode.

Dee_Dee

Bookmarking for my upcoming trip!

dreamon

bvlenci, very interested in TIM Welcome offer. It says 200 minutes of call time. Do you happen to know how they charge for incoming calls? I need my family to be able to contact me while I'm travelling. The website says it is valid for outgoing traffic from Italy but make no specific mention of incoming calls. Thank you.

progol

Great info! I'm currently a Verizon user and have been considering the switch, too, but am now not convinced, given DebitNM's experience with 2 phones. I'm afraid that we'd also end up with higher rates than we're already paying.

DebitNM

progol - IF you have phones that you can use on the TMobile system and don't buy new phones, it would be cheaper most likely to switch. It was the cost of the monthly payment to pay for new phones that made the bill so high.

greg

dreamon,
There is no charge to the receiver for incoming calls while not roaming outside the country where the SIM was issued. The caller pays all the cost. This is the case for all the European carriers I have used.

I presume you are from a country where the carriers charge for the incoming calls?