How can I have a working cell phone overseas?
August 12, 2015 8:25 AM Subscribe
So I'm going to Curacao in a couple weeks and I really need to have a working cell phone while I'm out there. What's the easiest way to do this? I will need calls, txts, and data.
I'm going to Curacao for 4 days in a couple weeks. Even though I've done a good amount of traveling in the past, I've never had a working cell phone while overseas. This time, however, I'm going to be staying separate from my friends at night, so I really need some way to communicate with them.
I just assumed I could add international capabilities to my regular cell phone, but when I called Verizon, the whole process is insanely complicated and expensive. In a nutshell, because my vacation straddles two pay periods, I'd have to add it for both months and then even though I get 100 txt messages, I only "earn" the use of 3 or 4 a day and if I go over, they charge me even more.... I dont know. It's crazy. It's the stupidest policy I've ever heard of. So, that's no good.
My friend who lives out there suggested I get a "burner" phone, but how does that even work? I pick one up at the airport or something? Another friend said she bought a SIM card when she was in the airport and popped it into her phone and then it worked on local networks. Um... how does that work? Sorry I'm such a luddite.
I can use Wifi I guess when I'm actually in the hotel, but I want to be able to at least txt my friends when I'm trying to meet up with them, and also use the GPS if i get lost. Any suggestions?
I'm going to Curacao for 4 days in a couple weeks. Even though I've done a good amount of traveling in the past, I've never had a working cell phone while overseas. This time, however, I'm going to be staying separate from my friends at night, so I really need some way to communicate with them.
I just assumed I could add international capabilities to my regular cell phone, but when I called Verizon, the whole process is insanely complicated and expensive. In a nutshell, because my vacation straddles two pay periods, I'd have to add it for both months and then even though I get 100 txt messages, I only "earn" the use of 3 or 4 a day and if I go over, they charge me even more.... I dont know. It's crazy. It's the stupidest policy I've ever heard of. So, that's no good.
My friend who lives out there suggested I get a "burner" phone, but how does that even work? I pick one up at the airport or something? Another friend said she bought a SIM card when she was in the airport and popped it into her phone and then it worked on local networks. Um... how does that work? Sorry I'm such a luddite.
I can use Wifi I guess when I'm actually in the hotel, but I want to be able to at least txt my friends when I'm trying to meet up with them, and also use the GPS if i get lost. Any suggestions?
Verizon does not do international travel well at all. Since you say you do a fair bit of international travel, you should look into T-Mobile. Their $50/mo plan has outstanding international features. I had to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile precisely because Verizon is so out of date with our globalization.
posted by vegartanipla at 8:50 AM on August 12, 2015
posted by vegartanipla at 8:50 AM on August 12, 2015
If you have a Verizon Iphone, this is easy: Buy a sim card, top off with credit and plug it in your phone. The SIM slot is unlocked for all carriers.
You'll have a different number but can use it to do all the things you want to do:
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao
posted by sandmanwv at 9:13 AM on August 12, 2015
You'll have a different number but can use it to do all the things you want to do:
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao
posted by sandmanwv at 9:13 AM on August 12, 2015
I visited Japan recently and a friend there recommended renting an LTE->wifi router -- it cost ~$10/day, and they were available at a number of kiosks at the airport. This turned out to be a huge help -- enabling me to do almost everything I normally do with my phone -- and made my trip much easier. They also rented iphones for a similar cost.
I don't know if similar options are available in other countries, but if so, it may be worth looking into.
posted by janewman at 9:38 AM on August 12, 2015
I don't know if similar options are available in other countries, but if so, it may be worth looking into.
posted by janewman at 9:38 AM on August 12, 2015
If you got your Verizon smartphone in the last couple years, it is probably "Global Ready", which means that it is effectively unlocked once you leave the Verizon network/USA, and you can just swap in a local SIM per the instructions sandmanwv posted.
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:01 AM on August 12, 2015
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:01 AM on August 12, 2015
I personally do the T-Mobile route. I use wifi calling only for phone calls (which makes it like a local call), and use data and texts to my heart's content. I don't think the t-mobile prepaid plans cover international usage, though. It used to be only postpaid.
Another option, if you will frequently be close to wifi, is to use Google Voice/Google Hangouts. You can use the hangouts caller to dial numbers, and google voice to text. The limitation is that you will always need a good wifi connection. Given your interest in having data, this does not sound like a good option.
If you want to use Google maps so that you don't get lost, check out Google Maps "offline maps" function. It let's you essentially download areas determined by you, and then can locate you using your GPS - no data required. Super handy. It may help you get around your data needs.
posted by troytroy at 11:21 AM on August 12, 2015
Another option, if you will frequently be close to wifi, is to use Google Voice/Google Hangouts. You can use the hangouts caller to dial numbers, and google voice to text. The limitation is that you will always need a good wifi connection. Given your interest in having data, this does not sound like a good option.
If you want to use Google maps so that you don't get lost, check out Google Maps "offline maps" function. It let's you essentially download areas determined by you, and then can locate you using your GPS - no data required. Super handy. It may help you get around your data needs.
posted by troytroy at 11:21 AM on August 12, 2015
If you got your Verizon smartphone in the last couple years, it is probably "Global Ready", which means that it is effectively unlocked once you leave the Verizon network/USA, and you can just swap in a local SIM per the instructions sandmanwv posted
Although I have a Verizon iPhone, I just got back from a trip to Thailand, Laos and Singapore and was able to put in SIM cards and get a local number and data package extremely easily with no unlocking process, fee, or other shenanigans required. (It may take a bit of time to activate your new foreign phone number, but that's on the foreign carrier, not Verizon.) I have no reason to believe this wouldn't work on a Droid, but check with your local Verizon store if you have one of course.
The physical process is really simple; with a dedicated SIM card remover or (thin) paper clip you can remove the SIM card tray from your phone and then replace it with a new SIM card, then slide the tray back in. Depending on your phone and the network it may take a little bit of a time, but eventually it will "find" the new network and you'll have a local phone number. It's best to have someone who's done this before show you ahead of time because the amount of force required to pop open the tray is more than you might think and if you're like me you might be hesitant in fear of breaking the phone.
Note that your US number is, for all intents and purposes, not on for the entirety of your trip -- you won't get any calls or texts to your US number (not including things like whatsapp messages, iMessages, that kind of stuff of course).
I really think going this way is the best as opposed to a burner phone, smartphone rental, Verizon's pricey international package, etc., because then you have your own phone with your apps, email, settings, photos, etc. All that's different is that you have a different phone number and data package at a reasonable cost.
posted by andrewesque at 1:06 PM on August 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Although I have a Verizon iPhone, I just got back from a trip to Thailand, Laos and Singapore and was able to put in SIM cards and get a local number and data package extremely easily with no unlocking process, fee, or other shenanigans required. (It may take a bit of time to activate your new foreign phone number, but that's on the foreign carrier, not Verizon.) I have no reason to believe this wouldn't work on a Droid, but check with your local Verizon store if you have one of course.
The physical process is really simple; with a dedicated SIM card remover or (thin) paper clip you can remove the SIM card tray from your phone and then replace it with a new SIM card, then slide the tray back in. Depending on your phone and the network it may take a little bit of a time, but eventually it will "find" the new network and you'll have a local phone number. It's best to have someone who's done this before show you ahead of time because the amount of force required to pop open the tray is more than you might think and if you're like me you might be hesitant in fear of breaking the phone.
Note that your US number is, for all intents and purposes, not on for the entirety of your trip -- you won't get any calls or texts to your US number (not including things like whatsapp messages, iMessages, that kind of stuff of course).
I really think going this way is the best as opposed to a burner phone, smartphone rental, Verizon's pricey international package, etc., because then you have your own phone with your apps, email, settings, photos, etc. All that's different is that you have a different phone number and data package at a reasonable cost.
posted by andrewesque at 1:06 PM on August 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also don't lose your US SIM card of course -- you'll need it when you get back to the States to get your phone number back!
posted by andrewesque at 1:08 PM on August 12, 2015
posted by andrewesque at 1:08 PM on August 12, 2015
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If its an iPhone you need to unlock it first (call your cellphone provider to see how much you have to pay off...) Assuming you have a phone that has a SIM card. You simply buy a pre-paid card locally.
If you are not planning on making lots of calls or sending sms you can talk to your provider about a reduced rate. Turn off cellular data or you will be dropping dollar bills like breadcrumbs...
Before leaving, purchase an app that lets you download the local maps. Leave WiFi enabled for the GPS function. This way you don't need streaming data for navigation.
For longer calls connect to WiFi and use Skype.
posted by Mac-Expert at 8:31 AM on August 12, 2015