Verizon smartphone in Europe
 

I've heard lots of stories about problems getting a temporary phone from Verizon that works in Europe. Does anyone have experience with this/suggestions?
Also, its been recommended in various articles to turn of the internet data while traveling to avoid large bills, but this seems to defeat the purpose of the smartphone. Do people have experience with the international plans?

Do you have a "world phone" from Verizon, with the capacity to operate on both Verizon's North American network and the GSM system that the rest of the world uses?
If not, then the loaner might work for you. A friend of mine did that and found it very convenient, and not too expensive since she used it only for brief calls.

I have both Verizon Wireless and T-mobile services in the U.S. The Verizon international data plan never interested me. It takes only a few computation to realize just how expensive it can get. For example, there is a $100/mo international plan for 70mb and $5.12/mb after. Well the 70mb is good for 3 days if my usage model remains the same. For a two week trip, unless I change my behavior, I would get hit with a $1020 bill before taxes and fees.

Your smartphone usage model may be compatible with the mobile internet ecosystem in the U.S. However, there is a different ecosystem in Europe for a U.S. phone.

I take my unlocked quad-band T-mobile phones to Europe and use local SIM cards. I don't use mobile internet on my smartphones. I use Wifi at hotels.

I just purchased a very basic Motorola quad band unlocked phone on Ebay for $20.
I plan to buy local SIM cards. I use internet in the hotel or any WiFi hotspot.
When you "borrow" a phone generally you are locked into a specific plan and it can get very expensive.
Then you don't have a phone for the next time you travel.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I should NOT use the data features of whatever phone I take.
I would like to use my own phone number, so I can be reached in event of emergency, etc. I would like to understand more about how using the "unlocked" phone works. How do you get one? When you use sim cards purchased in Europe, do you get a new phone number? Or, do I use my verizon number? Do you change sim cards when you move to a different country?

There were some ultra disciplined folks here who turn on the data roaming only when needed and immediately turn it off when done to actually stay within the "monthly" quota. I am not one of them :-)

How long do you plan on traveling? To get the value of a new phone and SIM cards and plans you should probably have a decently long trip planned.

When we go over, not having a phone is a bonus, no work calls! We do check our email at least once a day and somebody at home can get in contact with the hotels we are staying at if there is an emergency.

Unlocked phones are best purchased on ebay. I believe each country has a different SIM card. I looked into all this before our last trip and just decided it was too much of a hassle for me.

The Verizon loaner option the OP may be referring to is called their Global Travel Program http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Glo...vel/index.html,

For international travel up to 3 weeks, it temporarily transfers your regular service, including the phone number, to the world phone. You pay one-way shipping plus per-minute charges of about $1. If you need it only for emergencies and quick calls, you could spend very little (eg, total about $50 for shipping plus a 3-minute call each day for 10 days). If you talk a lot, it would add up quickly.

My friend's positive experience was with a standard phone, not a smartphone, so she had no data expense. It may less attractive if you require data.

If you or a friend/family member will be traveling outside North America in the future, buying a basic unlocked quad-band GSM phone (for voice and texting) would make economic sense. There are some international SIMs that allow you to be reached via your regular US phone number.
Along with the GSM phone, you can take the smartphone with data turned off and use it only where you have wifi, such as in your hotel or McDonalds.

We don't use a cell phone when travelling overseas. We just make sure our families have my email address and phone numbers for our accomodations. That has proven sufficient for any emergency contact over the years.