USING YOUR CELL PHONE ABROAD

Many people who travel abroad wonder whether their cell phone will work when they are outside the United States. If you are a subscriber of a GSM provider, such as T-Mobile or AT&T, there is a high likelihood that you will be able to use your cell phone. To avoid any surprises, we recommend doing a bit of research ahead of time. This article will attempt to demystify the complexity of traveling with your cell phone.

It is important to emphasize that using your cell phone abroad CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE. In Brazil, for example, T-Mobile charges their subscribers $2.99 a minute, which is certainly not cheap. For people who bring their phone abroad only for emergency purposes, this may not be an issue. However, for those who plan to use their cell phone when abroad extensively, consider purchasing a pre-pay SIM card upon arrival to put into your phone. Your phone, however, must be unlocked and your number will change.

For info on international roaming fees, check out the following:

Countries that provide GSM service primarily use 5 bands of wireless spectrum:

850 MHz
900 MHz
1800 Mhz
1900 Mhz
2100 Mhz (3G) – New

The more bands your handset can work on, the easier it will be to find a compatible network abroad. Many phones offer compatibility with all 4 bands and this will enable your phone to work in most countries. Be aware that some budget phones may only offer the following 2 bands, 850 MHz and 1900 MHz.

Once you determine your cell phone’s GSM Band capability, the next step is to research which bands are broadcasted in the country you plan to visit. A couple of useful resources you should check out are:

Here's a list of mobile phones with global roaming capabilities: