Cell phones are an intact part of our lives . We use them to stay in constant impinging with family , oeuvre and friend . We swap school text subject matter ( SMS ) in traffic . We place tweets from the street . Heck , we even surf the Internet in the toilet .

That ’s why our electric cell phones are so painful to give up when we travel to places where they do n’t work . In the past times it could be very difficult – or at least very expensive – to practice your cellphone earpiece outside of your family net . But the times are deepen .

For twelvemonth , cell sound toter in the United States bank on technology that were ill-sorted with those used in Europe , Asia and much of the relief of the world . Recently , two major U.S. cellular carriers – AT&T and T - Mobile – built nationwide networks base on Global System for Mobile communication ( GSM ) technology , the international standard for cell phone networks .

GSM has several advantage for international traveller and business people . Since so many res publica apply the GSM standard ( 219 at last numeration ) , you may be fairly sure that your GSM phone will function no matter where your travels take you . That is , as long as your phone transmits on the correct frequency – more on that afterward [ beginning : GSM World ] .

There are also several companies that specify in international cell phone inspection and repair . They sell specialglobal cell phoneswith SIM card that use the same phone issue and relate to any local electronic internet seamlessly for relatively low per - minute calling rates .

But before we get deeper into how to use these exciting cubicle phone technologies , let ’s look at the mechanics of global cell telephone set .

Mechanics of Global Cell Phones

As you know from read How Cell Phones Work , cell sound pass on via wireless signaling . Since the radio spectrum is a crowded place , cell phones are assigned sure relative frequency at which they can beam .

Unfortunately , unlike countries assign unlike frequencies to their cellular networks . So before you determine to travel with your cell headphone , you need to ensure that it will even ferment in your destination country .

For GSM phones , there are four chief outside frequencies :

When you go to corrupt a cell phone , pay aid to which frequencies orbandsit supports . Most GSM cell phones aredual - bandphones that only make for on the two most common frequencies for that land . But if you project on traveling abroad , you ’ll want to induct in atri - bandorquad - bandphone that is capable to communicate over three or four different frequency .

As cell headphone become even more popular and more robust , cellular provider have begun to purchase more frequency to patronize 3 G and even 4 gravitational constant cell earphone service . In some parts of Europe , cellular carriers are already using the 2,100MHz frequency for 3 gm networks . And in the United States , Verizon has purchased space on the 700MHz frequency to offer even fast Web browsing and information transfer stop number using a raw 4 G technology call Long Term Evolution ( LTE ) protocol [ source : Reardon ] .

Every GSM headphone is dilute with a SIM card . The SIM card holds your phone number , contact list and other account place setting . SIM plug-in can be swop in and out of any unlocked GSM phone . So if you jaunt , you may corrupt a local SIM card with a local earpiece number and apply it with your GSM phone .

A fresh SIM card , however , wo n’t change the frequency coverage of your phone . You still demand to have a phone that communicates over the proper frequency for your destination country .

Now that we understand how GSM frequencies and SIM carte du jour workplace , permit ’s spill the beans about some of your options when using a GSM phone abroad .

Using Global Cell Phones

The basics of using a GSM cell speech sound are the same in any country . Most masses pay for their calls using a pre - paid SIM card . You buy the card with a sure issue of minutes and then you’re able to refill it ( or " top it off " ) whenever your moment get downhearted . you may even place up your report to automatically corrupt more airtime with a credit board each time your minutes dip below a sealed degree .

­If you own a tri - stria or quad - banding GSM phone , then you’re able to journey with the confidence that your sound will mold in most GSM networks around the world . This allows you to keep your rest home phone phone number as you travel . The downside is that you ’ll have to give international roaming fees , which can add up quickly .

Another option we ’ve mentioned is to purchase a local SIM card when you travel . outside SIM cards take to the woods about $ 20 for each one . This is a good solution if you journey often and mostly to the same two or three destinations . It ’s also a beneficial resolution if you ’re going to be staying in a single outside terminus for longer than a month .

The advantage of a local SIM card is that you do n’t have to bear international roaming fees . The disadvantage is that you ’ll have a different phone number with each new SIM bill of fare that you buy . This could make it hard for people back home to get in touch with you . You ’ll also need to re - enter all of your contacts if they ’re not store on your sound .

Several companionship offer what they callinternational cellphone phonesorglobal jail cell phones . These are a sound option for frequent traveler who seldom stay in a individual destination for a long time .

Global cellular telephone phones are normally tri - dance band or quadruplet - ring telephone set loaded with a particular external SIM card . These international SIM poster offer the advantage of a undivided phone phone number without expensive international roaming charge . The rate you pay per min depend on where you are and where you ’re calling . Some international SIM cards put up rates of 50 centime a arcminute where the same call would be you $ 1.69 a minute in international roaming charges .

Even if you only jaunt internationally every couple of years , a global cell speech sound could be a good investment . There are companies selling global jail cell phone for as trivial as $ 40 . For the cost of two SIM card , you ’ll have a cadre telephone with a unmarried lifespan phone issue that you’re able to load with minute when you require them . When you do n’t necessitate it , you may just put it in the draftsman next to your passport and look for the next trip .

For lots more information about jail cell phones and travel widget , call up the links on the next Sir Frederick Handley Page .

Frequently Answered Questions

Lots More Information

Sources