International Cell Phone - Unlocked GSM Cell Phone
There are several options for staying in touch while traveling overseas with an 'international cell phone'.
In most cases the simple combination of an international unlocked GSM cell phone and International SIM card will offer the best of all worlds including rates, international coverage, and dependability.
What is needed to travel internationally with your cell phone to make and receive calls ?
You're probably reading this page because you want an easy solution for communicating, making and receiving calls with others, while overseas.
You no doubt want this to be convenient and simple, like roaming within the US, both when making calls, and for receiving your calls.
And you want adequate coverage so your phone (mostly) always works, and you need this to be cost effective.
What sort of international cell phone do you need ?
You probably already have a cell phone. However, unfortunately, it 'probably' won't work outside of the U.S.
To find out if it will work, you'll need to call your cell phone service provider company and ask specifically if your phone will permit you to access their network FROM outside of the U.S. and can it work from the country where you plan on using it.
The question you should ask is, "can I ORIGINATE calls from outside of the U.S. and if so, what are those countries and what are the per minute rates that you will be charged to call back to the U.S."
If you do happen to have a tri-band cell phone from one of the large U.S. service providers, their rates will, no doubt, be astronomical for making and receiving international calls from outside the U.S.
Additionally, there are phones that are sold to consumers by other companies as "world phones" but they may be extremely handicapped on the basis of where they will work.
GSM, The key to cost effective international cell phone service
The most important aspect is you, the owner of a cell phone. For you, GSM beats all other types of wireless service because of one huge reason:
You can use one phone with many different GSM providers. This feature alone is unique to a GSM international cell phone and it is key to cost effective international cell phone usage.
Why you need an 'unlocked' GSM phone
If you're buying a phone and intend to travel abroad and use it, it is very desirable that it be 'unlocked'. This means that it will allow any SIM card from any service provider to be used to make calls.
This is one of the magic features of GSM. All your account information is in this replaceable SIM - to change carriers, you simply change SIM cards - but only if the phone is unlocked. All of the phones offered here are unlocked.
What sort of international GSM plan do you need ?
After choosing an international cell phone that will work for you while traveling, now you will need to add wireless service to that phone.
There are several very different approaches for you to consider. We'll explain the pros and cons of each.
Will you rent or buy a GSM international cell phone ?
It seems the Internet is full of companies offering to rent you an international GSM phone to use while you're away. As a matter of fact some companies will even provide a phone for free.
