We are going to Italy for 10 days and a river cruise in France for another 7 days. I know that my phone doesn't work there, but will my Nexus tablet work on their WiFi system. Another question is will my Samsung internet work on their system so I can use the google maps, translator etc.
We are leaving at the end of Sept.

As long as there is wifi, your tablet should work. If you use your phone and aren't signed up for an International Plan, you will rack up some serious charges unless you are using wifi only.

Hey Joe,

As long as you can connect to the internet via their wifi your computer will work.

Will your computer work with 220V power?
Will you need a plug adapter?

Enjoy your visit.

>>I know that my phone doesn't work there<<

Are you sure?

Who is your carrier and what phone?

You can use wifi w/ your tablet . . . and very likely w/ your phone.

Those responding might get additional background about the OP's need noted here by reading other threads on the similar subject.

Combining info from all of OP's thread, it is still not clear what it means by "I know that my phone doesn't work there." It can mean not possible hardwarewise or "doesn't work CHEAPLY there." The OP mentioned "I need to be available via cell phone during that time" in another thread, so it is not clear if OP found a substitute in a form of tablet - only?

"my <i>Samsung</i> internet work on their system so I can use the google maps, translator etc" is not clear if this refers to phone or the tablet nor where the OP plans to use these apps - only at hotel or on French river cruise or outside away from the WiFi reach.

It would be easier to help the OP, if OP states the usage model "I want to use ... using so and so hardware (model name with current carrier info) ... at such and such locations" instead of assuming certain capabilities and limitation and goes off on a tangent.

>>It would be easier to help the OP, if OP states the usage model "I want to use ... using so and so hardware (model name with current carrier info) ... at such and such locations" instead of assuming certain capabilities and limitation and goes off on a tangent.<<

ditto

>>Who is your carrier and what phone?<<

But seemingly the OP doesn't want to share this sorta vital info

Thanks to all that have replied, the phone is a Galaxy S5 provider is pageplus and they are a wholesaler for Verizon. and the tablet is a nexus from google. I already called pageplus and they said it would not work in Europe. But I'm hoping that there will be wifi in abbru
zzo.

According to pageplus web site, http://www.pageplusphonestore.com/Sa...TE-Refurb.html, that phone is model Samsung GS5 G900V,the same model as the Verizon S5, and according to http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gala...(usa)-6338.php, that phone is European cell network capable, hardware wise. However,looking at the PP site, they place all kinds of restrictions on phones usable on their network. With so little user base, there is little user based info on just what their phone is allowed to do compared to the same model from other carriers.

However, this does not imply lack of WiFi capability of the S5. It would always work on any Wifi, including Wifi in Europe. So "would not work in Europe" as a wholesale one-size-fits-all statement throws away a viable S5 capability

>>> already called pageplus and they said it would not work in Europe

Can mean many things.
1. Does not work as a pageplus phone in Europe on cell network.
2. Cannot be unlocked to be able to use an European SIM. However, all the carrier in the US should have signed onto the 2014 CTIA agreement including the rules for unlocking the phone.

Specifically for prepaid phones, like the one used on pageplus, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides...unlocking-faqs says:

<i>Q: Will my prepaid phone be unlocked on request?
Yes, participating providers have agreed to unlock prepaid devices within one year of initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment, or usage requirements.</i>

I took my Nexus tablet this last trip to Italy and it worked fine - came in handy for checking bus and train schedules, google maps, translator etc.

How did you people manage to survive before smartphones and tablets?

sparkchaser - I think the answer is "quite well", but in mitigation, that was before many employers came to believe that once an employee owns a smartphone, they should be available 24/7/365 - vacations included.

That's why I refuse to be issued a company phone.

Joe95401 - you phone will work OK for internet (on WiFi)

Your providor is probably correct about your samsung not working as the link provided by greg shows it uses the US frequency bands of (850MHz/1900MHz) but doesn't have the European bands (900MHz/1800MHz).

I also believe that some US phones don't have a sim card (Is this correct? - I think I read it in connection with iphons on T-mobile or Verizon)


I'll repeat my suggestion from an earlier thread, get yourself a cheap, quad core, dual sim unlocked phone from e.g Amazon, and put a local sim card into it once you get to Italy/France.

With regard google maps, I found an issue in Italy earlier in the year where I could not get the phone to update the GPS if I wasn't connected to the internet (Either by phone or wifi).

<i>I also believe that some US phones don't have a sim card (Is this correct? - I think I read it in connection with iphons on T-mobile or Verizon)</i>

Some US providers are CDMA instead of GSM. Sprint and Verizon are the biggest offenders but that is slowly changing.

Now that there are tablets and smartphones, many things have become difficult to do in any other way.

Just as an example, I used to travel around the world, relying on the tourist office room reservation service that used to be in every airport and train station. Have you ever tried to do that lately?

No but there is at least one person here that still reserves accommodations at the tourist information office.

That being said, it is certainly possible to book all of your transportation and lodging before you leave and not need a smartphone or tablet at all while on your holiday.

Bah, hit submit too too soon.

The problem is that smartphones and tablets are becoming crutches more than tools.