question about cell phones

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Wed 8th Apr 2009 08:27 pm

In my past trips to Amsterdam, I have rented an international phone. Now the trend tends to be just buy an unlocked GSM phone and buy the SIM card in what ever city you are in. Has anyone ever done this and do they have the SIM Cards at Schipol? If not, do you know where in town you can get one? Thanks.

Twitch · Post by **Twitch** » Wed 8th Apr 2009 08:36 pm

Ms T just upgraded our cell phones to phones w/ Euorpean Sim cards built in.
Just need to activate them before we leave and then deactivate on return.

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Wed 8th Apr 2009 08:53 pm

I never bother myself as my phone obviously works over there but I think the cheapest way is to buy a pay as you go phone in Amsterdam, they usually come with a few euros credit, maybe milehigh can chip in as I'm sure he knows whats what, pretty sure a lot of US phones that are supposed to work over here just dont.

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Wed 8th Apr 2009 09:48 pm

Boner wrote:I never bother myself as my phone obviously works over there but I think the cheapest way is to buy a pay as you go phone in Amsterdam, they usually come with a few euros credit, maybe milehigh can chip in as I'm sure he knows whats what, pretty sure a lot of US phones that are supposed to work over here just dont.

Your right about that boner, as amserican phones wont work unless you get a GSM unlocked phone. I think that stands for global satelite mobile? Anyway, apparently you can get the sims in europe for this but i was wondering if the airport has them or do I have to search once I get there. yeah Mile high or soul rider or DC or any locals, can you help?

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Wed 8th Apr 2009 09:52 pm

Think I have may have answered my own question.

Interesting site.

http://homepages.cwi.nl/~steven/amsterdam.html

milehigh · Post by **milehigh** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 07:01 am

Sims are readily available for less then 10E everywhere including the airport. Hi-Society is cheapest, Vodafone works best.

You can get a new phone with a sim for less then 30E.

cantona7 · Post by **cantona7** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 09:21 am

just call your provider and have your phone unlocked before you leave. they will give you a code. Is your phone quadband?

I haven't had trouble in any country(except Japan) with any recent cell phone iv had. Noted though roaming charges aren't a joke and iv come back with some very large phone bills!

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 01:30 pm

cantona7 wrote:just call your provider and have your phone unlocked before you leave. they will give you a code. Is your phone quadband?

I haven't had trouble in any country(except Japan) with any recent cell phone iv had. Noted though roaming charges aren't a joke and iv come back with some very large phone bills!

I tried this cantona, unfortunately my particular phone has an international plan but has to have their towers in that country. My company has no towers in all of europe.

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 01:50 pm

How 'bout a Skype phone?

cantona7 · Post by **cantona7** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 02:09 pm

thats a good idea geoffk. i save alot of money when im abroad by using skype.

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 03:23 pm

Yeah I haven't tried one, but it seems that even if you don't use the 'phone' you can still log on with free wi-fi and use the Skype IM. I'm curious if anyone has used one of these. I think you just buy credit for the phone and then you can use as a phone when needed. http://bit.ly/alC4s

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 06:31 pm

geoffk wrote:Yeah I haven't tried one, but it seems that even if you don't use the 'phone' you can still log on with free wi-fi and use the Skype IM. I'm curious if anyone has used one of these. I think you just buy credit for the phone and then you can use as a phone when needed. http://bit.ly/alC4s

Sounds interesting Geoff. I dont know alot about it. Will check it out. thanks

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Thu 9th Apr 2009 06:36 pm

cattales1960 wrote:
geoffk wrote:Yeah I haven't tried one, but it seems that even if you don't use the 'phone' you can still log on with free wi-fi and use the Skype IM. I'm curious if anyone has used one of these. I think you just buy credit for the phone and then you can use as a phone when needed. http://bit.ly/alC4s
Sounds interesting Geoff. I dont know alot about it. Will check it out. thanks

I'd ask questions before buying, as I read some confusing reviews on those phones.