Studying Abroad

- Using a Cell Phone Overseas by Connie Marianacci
Travel abroad and stay in touch; the easiest and most convenient option is to have a cell phone. In most cases the simple combination of an international unlocked GSM cell phone and International SIM card will offer the best deal including rates, international coverage, and dependability.
What type cell phone do I need overseas (and why!)?
Just so you know the names, in the US our cell phone service is either CDMA type (Verizon and Sprint), or perhaps TDMA or even iDEN (Nextel) or AMPS, or GSM (T-Mobil and Cingular). You don't want to know what these acronyms stand for and you don't need to know.
Internationally, most countries – more than 205 at last count – use GSM wireless service. So if you plan to go travel and want the convenience of carrying a cellular phone, then you're going to need a GSM cell phone.
Can I (Should I) rent a cell phone?
GSM cell phones can be rented for typically $29-$59/week with per minute charges ranging from $1.50-$5/minute, for incoming and outgoing calls. If you travel infrequently (once every 2 years) and your stay is less then a week then this may be the best option even with the outrageous per minute costs. With most study abroad programs lasting 3-months or longer this is usually not the most economical solution.
Will my US cell phone work overseas?
T-Mobile and Cingular operate GSM networks in the United States and as a subscriber on one of these networks you may already have a GSM world phone. In this case you can simply take your current phone overseas and start calling. However be advised that this solution is not for the typical student budget. While roaming in another country you can expect to pay $1 to $5/minute in roaming surcharges for all of your calls. These charges can add up especially when you use your phone abroad as much as you do at home.

How can I travel with a cell phone on the cheap?
To really use a cell phone abroad like you do at home and not need the salary of an investment banker, you will want to purchase your own GSM cell phone and a local prepaid SIM. This is the option Amerispan recommends to students who study abroad.
Unlike typical cell phones in the US, GSM world cell phones do not come with phone numbers programmed into them and the actual service is not even tied to the phone itself. Instead customers activate their mobile phones by popping in so-called SIM cards, little thumbnail sized devices that determine your cell phone number and any additional services like voicemail.
A pre-paid SIM card for each country you visit, gives you a local phone number and local calling rates are usually a low 25 cents/minute. It is easy, convenient, and relatively inexpensive for you to call other people in the country you're visiting, and easy and normal for them to call to you on your local number, too. Best of all, Incoming calls are FREE regardless of where they originate (So there is no excuse for not taking that call from home!!!).
Swapping out the SIM cards (they usually snap or slide into the back of the GSM phone – no engineering degree required) is a snap, literally and as they are prepaid you never have a monthly bill, or contract.
You can replenish your airtime on the SIM card by purchasing an airtime voucher in one of the local currency denominations. They are available at most newsstands, kiosks and convenience stores. The airtime vouchers are scratch cards that have a pin code which you simply key into your phone for immediate credit.
In summary, with a prepaid cell phone you have a cost effective way of staying in touch with no bills, no roaming charges and no hassles.
What do I need?
1) An international unlocked GSM cell phone
2) An international SIM card
For additional information find Telestial here where you may also purchase what you need.
SOURCE:
Telestial