Using Your Cell Phone Overseas

Reader Tim L. writes: I have a Blackberry 8700c with Cingular service. Will it work in Japan?  If so, what do I need to do: new SIM card, upgrade service, etc.?

It is indeed possible to use many phones in many foreign countries. The trick is knowing whether your phone will work in that country (or on specific cruise ships, which have their own networks). And that isn't always easy to figure out.

Good news for AT&T/Cingular and T-Mobile users: GSM networks are far more prevalent worldwide, and there's a good chance your phone will work where you're going. CDMA users (Verizon and Sprint) are less likely to get overseas coverage, but there are major exceptions. No matter which technology your carrier uses, you can look up on that company's website where exactly you can use your phone overseas. Here are links to all the major carriers:

AT&T/Cingular - Use the company's Wireless Travel Guide. Just select the countries you're going to and the model phone you have and the site will tell you whether the two are compatible. (Bad news for you, Tim: You can't use the 8700c in Japan, as it doesn't have the right kind of radio in it. Virtually no U.S. phones work there.)

T-Mobile - Visit its International Services page and choose the country you're visiting. The site will tell you whether it offers service there (and whether a phone rental is needed).

Verizon Wireless - Look up the country on its International coverage maps and airtime rates. 

Sprint - This page is buried on Sprint's site, but you'll find a country lookup on Sprint Worldwide. 

Regardless of who your carrier is, you'll need to call it to turn on an international roaming plan (voice and data may be dealt with separately), and you'll probably want to set a reminder to turn it off when you get home. Remember that overseas minutes will be billed as-you-go, and you'll probably pay out the nose for the privilege.

If your existing phone will not work overseas, any vendor will be happy to rent you an international phone which you can use with your SIM card or bill to your domestic plan. You can arrange for this during your call to activate international roaming.