The 5 Trials of Bringing your US Phone Overseas

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Sure, I’ll admit it. My first reaction was:

“Something about cell phones that is more complicated than it needs to be? You lie sir, you lie.”

However, after a little research even my internal, British accented, voice is starting to accept it. US cell phones were not bred to range free in the world.

Why You Foolishly Want to Bring Your Cell Phone

It is not uncommon to be drawn to the idea of using your phone abroad. This is, quite possibly, the only phone in the world with a picture of your dog.

When you consider all the phone numbers programmed, the preferences set just right, and one’s inability to cancel it before the end of the contract the idea of using it during your trip sounds pretty good. But, before you get too comfortable to this idea you should know what the fates have in store for those who venture down this path.

The First Trial – Leaping The Cell Phone Language Barrier

There are two main types of cell phone networks. One is called GSM, which I have nicknamed “The Standard.” This is used by most of the world. The other is called CDMA, which I have nicknamed “chew on our 13%.” CDMA is only used by about 13% of the world’s cell phone population. However, it is very popular in the US. In fact, it is kind of the North American standard.

In order for your phone to work in a different country it will have to be able to use the cell phone network there. Most of the time this is going to require a phone that can handle GSM. However, in India, South Korea, Israel & parts of South America this will require a CDMA compatible phone.

The Second Trial – Burrowing Under an Annoying Second Level of Cell Phone Language Barriers

If you turn your decoder ring a little further, you will see that things are even more complicated. Cell phone communication involves a lot more quasi-unstandardized stuff. In addition to the type of network one must also consider the frequency “bands” that they use. Unfortunately countries use different ones.

In order for your cell phone to work it must be able to use the local frequency band. Without this it can’t even “hear” the necessary signal. Some phones can use many bands (”tri-band” phones or “quand-band” phones). Your phone might need to be one of these.

The Third Trial – The Giant Monster That Every Quest is Required to Have

Many cell phone companies have a nasty habit of locking you out of any feature that you didn’t explicitly ask for by notarized dolphin-carried mail…in triplicate. One of those features can be having a phone that works in another country. This feature, often called “international roaming,” must be explicitly activated before your phone is allowed to play with the foreign cell phone system.

Oh yeah, and many of the US phones that could use GSM and the right frequency have those features “locked” by the cell phone company. This is done to prevent you from using another sim card and {gasp} paying another company.

The Fourth Trial – Navigating The Labyrinth with The Help of a Friend

It’s not the customer service person’s fault that the phone company has made things harder. But, if you get too angry at them and start acting like it is their fault, they can make the process even more annoying.

However, if you woo them onto your side, a good customer service person can be an incredible resource for navigating the complicated rules of that specific company.

Be nice. Pronounce “international roaming or something like that” as clearly as you can. It is also probably worth asking if there are any other hoops the company wants you to jump through before the phone will work in your proposed destination.

The Fifth Trial – How Much Are You Really Willing to Sacrifice?

After all that you could still get charged $1-$5 per minute. Kind of makes you wonder if those last four trials were worth it huh?

Aside from switching companies, you have a very limited ability to change the price. That said, there are times when requesting a “world plan” can save you a bundle of dough. It is surely worth asking your customer service friend about.

There Are Other Ways

You don’t have to go through this. There are many other options for communication from foreign countries.

For example:

• Buy cell phone & sim card there
• Bring an unlocked cell phone (possibly called “world phone”) & get a prepaid sim card there
• Use Skype
• Use any other quality voip option
• Yell really loud
• Telepathic communication
• Smoke signals (curvature of the earth could cause a problem with this one)
• Tell a friend to tell a friend to tell…

About the Author:

This article was written by SimplyLeave.com’s “Chief Title-Maker-Upper-on-Whims” (aka – “puff puff puuuuuuff” in the SimplyLeave.com dialect of smoke signals).

SimplyLeave.com is a humor site about travel.

Photo (top): Omar Chatriwala

Photo (mid): Woodley Wonderworks