Treo 600 functionality in europe ?
 

Does anyone have any experience with using the Treo600 "smartphone" in europe?

(These is the combination cellphone/wireless email/web browser/PDA device made by PalmOne).

Unlocked, quad-band GSM Treos are available for around $500-550, and by purchasing a SIM chip & prepaid minutes at my destination country, I can surely send & receive regular cell phone calls.

But unless the network provider supports the email/web browsing data service, those features on the phone won't function.

So my main question is: how common (if at all) are the Treo-compatible data services in western europe, and who are the main network providers??

Orange (in UK) seems to be offering pay-as-you-go Treo data services, but is anyone else doing so in france, germany, italy, etc ??

If the Treo data service is readily available in multiple countries, this could be a great alternative to lugging a notebook PC, since mostly what I'd be using the PC for is email, and web browsing to check schedules and tourist information and such.

We have a treo 600 and have been using it here in Belgium for some time. No problems.

My husband has the 600 and uses it every day in Switzerland. He has also used it in Italy, Germany, Austria and France.

I have the Sprint PCS version so I can't use it in Europe (except as a PDA - no online functions.) :(

BTilke & LynnP -

what service/network provider are you using (vodaphone, someone else ??)

is it a prepaid (pay as you go) plan from the local provider?

Our service program is with Proximus. Belgium has laws against the whole locked/unlocked palaver (I don't know all the details).
Next year, we'll upgrade to the 850 (wifi, BlueTooth, etc.)

We are with Orange

FYI, have you checked out www.mytreo.net? Lots of good info there.