"Global" Mobile Phones? (Help!)
 

Okay, first off I'm completely mobile phone-challenged, so bear with me if this is a stupid question.

I surfed around a bit but came away more confused.

I am looking for any kind of mobile phone that I can use globally - I'm not talking the Himalayas or Afghanistan, but something that will work in Europe, Ukraine (going in a few weeks), USA, etc. - without major hassles. I see some have "roaming" but is that necessary - changing cards, etc.? (Again, excuse my ignorance!)

I don't care about itunes, watching videos, etc. etc. I assume it would have SMS. Beyond that, just a phone that works *almost* anywhere.

Any ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks

Get a 'quad-band' phone. I don't think there's many 'basic' models that work everywhere.

roaming means that your operator works on another network, that *IS* necessary if you DON'T want to change cards etc..

I have a treo650 which works on all networks...but it does have a lot of goodies you don't need from a phone.

Thanks for the info, so with a Treo650 you just buy different cards for the region you are in? For example, if I go to Finland I can easily find out which card I need and get it?

I'll take a look at it anyhow, sounds like it may be the best option.

stick with gsm and constantly change cards in whichever country ur in

long D cost a bitch ya heard?

That's the idea. But I'm less concerned with the cost then being able to use the phone wherever I go.

Quad-band GSM phones are the way to go for worldness.

quadband. my bb is quad, pretty much works anywhere in the world.

Bah. Just get a sat phone.

I had this problem when I went to the netherlands, before you go buying a phone, you need a carrier who has contracts with overseas carriers.
Not all do and just because your phone has the capibility does not mean your carrier does.

Call around some major travel agencies and see if they can tell you whether the areas have GSM coverage.

Also, make sure that if you do buy a phone it's not locked to a specific carrier, otherwise you won't be able to swap SIMs as you move around.

If you are going to be in Japan its a whole different ballgame too.

Thanks, yeah, I'm going to make sure. Keep their sales rep really busy with LOTS of questions :)

As for Japan, I'm not too worried, I don't expect to be there soon. But certainly Europe and former Soviet countries.

Ah, I just found a great article on international cell phones:

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0308.htm

Very long read, but I should be an expert by the time I finish this ... and good flight reading material for Phoenix :)