Question: A Good Cellphone Provider For Americans In Europe?

[semperfi71]

I know we have a number of intrepid, overseas travelers here; as well as folks a lot more knowledgeable than me.

If a person is going to Germany, with travels in other European nations, who is a good cell phone company/provider?

Currently using Verizon, but they may not be so good over there.

Thanks for any help.

 

[DeathGrip]

We have T Mobile and they've been good to us as far as doing upgrades for us when my wife goes to Germany.

She's sleeping off a tough tooth extraction right now but I'll ask her for details later.

I remember we had Verizon years ago and they didn't work with Germany so it was very expensive then. Things could be different now. You should contact them and see what they can do.

I think it's one of the reasons my wife switched us over to T Mobile.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Call your carrier, your phone will work anywhere - for a fee. Best Regards, Rick

 

[max]

My wife has gone the past several summers and calls AT&T and gets set up for overseas for the time she is gone. Very simple and easy to undo and it works fine.

 

[Straightshooter2]

European cells work on a different frequency than U.S. cells. Some U.S. phones are multi-band and therefore international capable and some are not. Best thing to do is call your provider and ask about the phone you are going to carry but the thing is, Verizon uses CDMA2000 technology on their phones and most European cells work on GSM technology. Two different things. I'm not familiar with the newer 4G LTE technology but if your phone is LTE capable, it may work in the portions of Europe where LTE has been installed. As far as companies go, T-Mobile is actually a German corporation (bought out Voicestream in the U.S. in 2001) so they have a lot of coverage in Europe. Vodafone is the other large company over there with a large coverage area. If it turns out your phone won't work, unless you travel back and forth to Europe a lot making it worthwhile to upgrade, consider renting a phone for the trip. Just do an internet search for cell phone rentals and you should find what's needed.

CW

 

[perrazi]

you can always rent one when you get there. I have a friend that goes to Europe at least 3 times a year and has for many years. he says he rents one as that is less hassle than trying to get your own phone working over there.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

My Greek pal (Sotos) lives about 20 miles outside of Athens and he's still using a dial-up modem cuz Fibre Optic hasn't caught on over there I guess.

We Skype sometimes but the connection on his end is pretty poor.

 

[semperfi71]

Thanks for the info folks.

Definitely planned on talking to Verizon first.

 

[Squarebutt]

My nephew goes to Europe, Russia, Asia, etc. and just changes the SIM card in his iPhone when he lands. I think he's with Verizon.

 

[bovw]

My wife went to England to visit her brother last year. We have Verizon, after calling them she went over and her brother got her a pay as you go phone. We skyped while she was at the house on WiFi, and she used the local phone to for calls within the country.

 

[Arik]

I don't know about CDMA or GSM. I use Verizon because it's Vodafone in Europe. Same company. I don't even change sim cards.

My friend just sent his cousin in Bosnia a Samsung. Bought from Walmart. Works as advertised!