Quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee
Verizon does have a GSM phone, made by Samsung, but it's expensive. For my last trip to China I got a Cingular Razr phone and just bough SIM cards wherever I needed them in China. Worked like a charm and didn't rack up a penny in fees in the US.
Oh, you can just buy any beater GSM phone on eBay and it will work with the SIM cards bought in whatever country you visit.
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Yes and no. I was flying overseas recently and found out that the person next to me was a Verizon exec. We discussed the lack of international service with their company and he finally admitted that Verizon did not care about the overseas market and was pushing to sell only to North America.
The international phone that they are now producing is a stopgap measure to try to keep customers who need overseas service.
Partially right on the GSM phone. Make sure that its unlocked first! If its not unlocked then it will work only with the SIM chip that came from the maker, ie ATT, T-Mobile etc.
I have a Motorola Razr that was purchased overseas and works with any SIM chip. My Blackberry was unlocked by a company here in London and now works with any chip. If someone is looking for a descent price on a GSM phone, look on Ebay and find someone to unlock it, then have fun.
ATT/Cingular and T-Mobile are the only American companies that I know of whose networks work worldwide at this time.
Joe
(typing this from Nice France using my ATT phone with a UK SIM chip for a connection)