international cell phone/internet connection

Amanda, it depends where you’re going.

One simple option is to hire a data card. Or you can buy a second hand data-card online or elsewhere, and put a prepaid SIM in it when you arrive. The problem with this is that many prepaid providers won’t let you do data, or if they do you pay exorbitant rates (like over $US8 per MB).

Tell us where you’re going and I might be able to provide a more firm suggestion.

Wade.

Hi Wade,
I have the same request as Amanda. I’m based in India. I need one working essentially in South Asia and Europe. I come over the Nokia61i…..is it enought good ?
Thanks in advance Wade !
Vi

hi,

I took the assumption that internet connectivity is what you’re after. What about something like this:

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/internet/pay-monthly/?ref=newhome_broadband

The more expensive options allow unlimited data transfer, you will need a mobile phone signal to connect though. These are in the UK (most if not all UK mobile phone companies provide something like this). The Guardian newspaper wrote something about these on Saturday – I had a look to find the URL, but i can’t find it on their website, sorry :(

Good luck!

James

found the URL – gives quite a succint overview:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/12/internet.phones.broadband

Just be aware that any mobile data use outside of a contract is going to cost you. The first thing I’d do is look at what kind of roaming your home network offers. Maybe you can use that phone with global roaming. It’s possible that it will be economically viable to do this in Europe, where the network costs can be low is you’re provider allows them to be, and where there’s plenty of high speed network access.

In Asia, however, it’s a different business. Global roaming throughout Asia is horrendously expensive – like $US10 per minute as times, which is dearer than some Satellite phones. On top of this there are fair less data capable networks, so you could find yourself paying through the nose to send at 5K per second speeds.

I know that when people travel to Europe or Asia for jobs like Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games, it’s possible to rent data cards. These aren’t offered through retail shops – they’re more of a coporate thing. I’d get in touch with a local telecommunications consultant or store in Seattle.

By the way – always use FTP for this sort of stuff. Much, much more reliable than any other method, especially when your connection speeds are poor. It can really make the difference.

Regards,

Wade.