do cell phones work in europe?

Question

if so, is there like extra international charges? i have prepay, so would i just like double my minute usage or something?

Answer 1

First it depends on the model phone that you have. Check with your provider to see if yours will work.

Their website will have the rates for "International Roaming" (that's what you want) and "International Calling" (calling from the US to abroad). Then most companies have a fee schedule for calls within Europe, and calls from Europe to the US. It varies from country to country, and calls from Europe to the US are often cheaper than calls from one European country to another.

Your provider may also have a discount plan. For example Cingular has a "Cingular World Traveler" plan. You pay $5.99 per month for the time you are traveling, and you get a discount of about 50 cents per minute for each call. If you don't plan to do much calling, you can just take the un-discounted rate.

I used my Nokia 3120 phone all over Europe this year. I didn't make any calls in Russia, because they cost $4.49 per minute even with the discount.

Pay phones are becoming harder to find, just like in the States, and they are often out of order. Then you have to find the right coins to get a dial tone to use a calling card.

Answer 2

Yes, but only if your phone accepts their type of signal (GSM). a lot of phones right now offer that feature. Many companies, such as T-Mobile, offer a special service when for higher fees you can use your cell phone overseas. The rates they charge are, however, very very high. Here is what I do. I had my phone unlocked, meaning that I can use it with a SIM card from any company. then I just got a SIM card from European provider with prepaid plan. This way it is cheaper to use a cell phone in that country. In addition, in Russia I paid $10 to get my phone unlocked instead of buying a new one there or getting an unlocked phone here, which costs twice the price of a regular cell phone.

Answer 3

man. one person says YES another NO. what is it? yes or no? i really think you should talk to your service provider. i know you have prepaid, but where did you get it from? Verizon? Tmobile? if its Tmobile then go to them and tell them what you want to do and ask if you can use your phone in europe. i really dont think you could use your phone since usually prepaid phones are not that good. so just go and talk to them. also, another good way of communicating without your cell phone is phone cards. get them in europe only and you can call from anyphone off the streets. have fun and be safe.

Answer 4

My Nextel and my friend's Verizon did not work. It is cheaper to buy a phone card once you get over there (not one from the US, they don't work). Also it is a huge rip off if your cell phone company offers to "loan" you a cell phone, do not do it, the fees they charge you once you get back are outrageous. I know it sucks but just get the phone card and use the payphone on the street.

Answer 5

you have to have service with T Mobile (GSM type signal) and an international plan with them and....a special phone ( tri band) that works on our frequencies and theirs. Its a dollar a minute.

Otherwise your phone will not work outside the US
IF you have the above 3 things then wherever you
go is like inside the US in every way

Answer 6

Depends

Answer 7

Mobile were popularly used first in Europe compared to the US. But the US network providers are a lot behind so check with them first, also check that your phone handset is tri-band.

Answer 8

If your going to visit Europe and you want to keep your cellphone active, what you need to do is activate the Roaming service.Find out with your service provider about coverage and costs. Nice trip.

Answer 9

well, since you have prepay, you probably cant use it there. since, when its with a plan, it depends on your plan if you can go out of country with it. but no, you cant use it and it wont double your minute use.

Answer 10

Yes, in some cases, but you have to set it up with your service provider.