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- 03-18-2004, 02:22 PM #1dacGuest
I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a
GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number
and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't
any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from
Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and
pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and
they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones
is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
-dac
› See More: International Roaming and GSM phone options
- 03-18-2004, 03:31 PM #2Robert M.Guest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <2004031815220716807%dac@spamcopnet>, dac <[email protected]>
wrote:
> I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
> there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a
> GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number
> and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't
> any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from
> Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and
> pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and
> they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones
> is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
Also put a pencil to it. It's been previously reported that Sprint's
plan of attack is by far your most expensive option. Elsewhere in the
world it's cost effective to rent a cell phone. Ask your travel agent.
- 03-19-2004, 12:50 PM #3O/SirisGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
> In article <2004031815220716807%dac@spamcopnet>, dac <[email protected]>=20
> wrote:
>=20
> > I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over=20
> > there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a=
=20
> > GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number=
=20
> > and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't=
=20
> > any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from=
=20
> > Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and=
=20
> > pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and=
=20
> > they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones=
=20
> > is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
>=20
> Also put a pencil to it. It's been previously reported that Sprint's=20
> plan of attack is by far your most expensive option. Elsewhere in the=20
> world it's cost effective to rent a cell phone. Ask your travel agent.
>=20
That's true. It's expensive, and probably *the* most expensive, too. =20
But it let's you continue to receive calls via your SPCS phone=20
number. And I've had five customers in the past two weeks ask about=20
this specifically for that reason.
To the original poster: I *think* a SIM card is a SIM card when it=20
comes to GSM phones. I have no experience with this, but have=20
gathered this based on discussions on the GSM provider forums and=20
newsgroups.
--=20
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them
- 03-19-2004, 06:38 PM #4MikeGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
dac wrote:
> I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over there.
> Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a GSM phone
> and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number and
> service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't any
> normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from
> Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and
> pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and
> they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones
> is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
>
> -dac
>
You just have to make sure the GSM phone you use is unlocked. Because
GSM phones have little to tie them to a carrier from a technical
standpoint, they lock the phone to a certain SIM card provider. An
unlocked phone will allow you to insert any GSM Sim card.
-mike
- 03-19-2004, 07:22 PM #5Lawrence GlasserGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
dac wrote:
>
> I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
> there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a
> GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number
> and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't
> any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from
> Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and
> pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and
> they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones
> is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
I'd call for a clarification... In the US, they will *not* activate a
"non-Sprint" (i.e., one that wasn't purchased through Sprint) phone.
Larry
- 03-20-2004, 06:42 AM #6Robert M.Guest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,
O/Siris <[email protected]> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
> > In article <2004031815220716807%dac@spamcopnet>, dac <[email protected]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
> > > there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get a
> > > GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US number
> > > and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them. Wouldn't
> > > any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card from
> > > Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei and
> > > pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work and
> > > they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM phones
> > > is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
> >
> > Also put a pencil to it. It's been previously reported that Sprint's
> > plan of attack is by far your most expensive option. Elsewhere in the
> > world it's cost effective to rent a cell phone. Ask your travel agent.
> >
>
> That's true. It's expensive, and probably *the* most expensive, too.
>
> To the original poster: I *think* a SIM card is a SIM card when it
> comes to GSM phones. I have no experience with this, but have
> gathered this based on discussions on the GSM provider forums and
> newsgroups.
The GSM phone has to be "unlocked" which then allows it to accept any
SIM card. However you'll save more than 50% by simply renting a phone
when you get to your destination. Did you ask SprintPCS what the per
minute cost is to use their GSM phones in Asia? Make sure you're sitting
down when you do.
- 03-22-2004, 06:11 AM #7tgGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
What I di in Asia is had my own GSM then I got a pay and go account in Hong
Kong (go to gsmworld .com ) they lis all of the Asian carriers and if they
have pay and go. It was so much cheaper than roaming with Sprint in Asia.
Also in Asia long distance is so much cheaper than using Sprint (in HK
orange is great)
"Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> O/Siris <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > [email protected] says...
> > > In article <2004031815220716807%dac@spamcopnet>, dac <[email protected]>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
> > > > there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can get
a
> > > > GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US
number
> > > > and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them.
Wouldn't
> > > > any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card
from
> > > > Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei
and
> > > > pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work
and
> > > > they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM
phones
> > > > is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > Also put a pencil to it. It's been previously reported that Sprint's
> > > plan of attack is by far your most expensive option. Elsewhere in the
> > > world it's cost effective to rent a cell phone. Ask your travel agent.
> > >
> >
> > That's true. It's expensive, and probably *the* most expensive, too.
> >
> > To the original poster: I *think* a SIM card is a SIM card when it
> > comes to GSM phones. I have no experience with this, but have
> > gathered this based on discussions on the GSM provider forums and
> > newsgroups.
>
> The GSM phone has to be "unlocked" which then allows it to accept any
> SIM card. However you'll save more than 50% by simply renting a phone
> when you get to your destination. Did you ask SprintPCS what the per
> minute cost is to use their GSM phones in Asia? Make sure you're sitting
> down when you do.
- 03-22-2004, 06:28 AM #8Scott Nelson - Wash DCGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
Yeah, that's really the best way to go.
Get a pre-paid account locally for most of your calls.
When I travel, I already have a T-Mobile account for SMS, so I use both
local ( from USA ) and pre-paid ( from wherever I am ) and switch SIMs to
check my VoiceMail indicator and get any SMS messages and then call people
back using the Pre-Paid SIM/Account.
When someone is doing the GSM SIMcard thing through SprintPCS, does
SprintPCS pass any SMS and Voicemail waiting messages to GSM roamer phone?
If not, the only thing you would be gaining is allowing people to call you
via your known number and you would eat the cost and not them.
Scotty
"tg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What I di in Asia is had my own GSM then I got a pay and go account in
Hong
> Kong (go to gsmworld .com ) they lis all of the Asian carriers and if
they
> have pay and go. It was so much cheaper than roaming with Sprint in Asia.
> Also in Asia long distance is so much cheaper than using Sprint (in HK
> orange is great)
> "Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > O/Siris <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > In article <[email protected]>,
> > > [email protected] says...
> > > > In article <2004031815220716807%dac@spamcopnet>, dac
<[email protected]>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I'll be traveling to Asia next month and I need phone access over
> > > > > there. Through SprintPCS's International Roaming feature, I can
get
> a
> > > > > GSM phone and a SIM card so I can continue to use my current US
> number
> > > > > and service. Sprint recommends that I buy the phone from them.
> Wouldn't
> > > > > any normal GSM phone work as long as I get the programmed SIM card
> from
> > > > > Sprint? Basically, I was planning on just buying a phone in Taipei
> and
> > > > > pop my SprintPCS SIM card into it. SprintPCS says it may not work
> and
> > > > > they won't garuntee it without their phones. Their choice of GSM
> phones
> > > > > is somewhat lacking. Any insight would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > Also put a pencil to it. It's been previously reported that Sprint's
> > > > plan of attack is by far your most expensive option. Elsewhere in
the
> > > > world it's cost effective to rent a cell phone. Ask your travel
agent.
> > > >
> > >
> > > That's true. It's expensive, and probably *the* most expensive, too.
> > >
> > > To the original poster: I *think* a SIM card is a SIM card when it
> > > comes to GSM phones. I have no experience with this, but have
> > > gathered this based on discussions on the GSM provider forums and
> > > newsgroups.
> >
> > The GSM phone has to be "unlocked" which then allows it to accept any
> > SIM card. However you'll save more than 50% by simply renting a phone
> > when you get to your destination. Did you ask SprintPCS what the per
> > minute cost is to use their GSM phones in Asia? Make sure you're sitting
> > down when you do.
>
>
- 03-22-2004, 07:24 AM #9Robert M.Guest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,
"Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
> When someone is doing the GSM SIMcard thing through SprintPCS, does
> SprintPCS pass any SMS and Voicemail waiting messages to GSM roamer phone?
> If not, the only thing you would be gaining is allowing people to call you
> via your known number and you would eat the cost and not them.
That is correct. Retain your number, hang the cost. In some business
situations that might be acceptable.
- 03-22-2004, 07:36 AM #10Scott Nelson - Wash DCGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
Yep. All depends on someone's requirements really.
When I am on vacation, as opposed to when I am on "business", could make a
difference in calling habits.
If I am on vacation, I don't mind letting my VM's stack up a bit and
checking them once or twice a day.
I would also give the people who really need to get you in case something
really bad happened or something really urgent, your pre-paid number.
If it's *that* important, cost doesn't matter at that point.
Scotty
"Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > When someone is doing the GSM SIMcard thing through SprintPCS, does
> > SprintPCS pass any SMS and Voicemail waiting messages to GSM roamer
phone?
> > If not, the only thing you would be gaining is allowing people to call
you
> > via your known number and you would eat the cost and not them.
>
> That is correct. Retain your number, hang the cost. In some business
> situations that might be acceptable.
- 03-22-2004, 07:39 AM #11Robert M.Guest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,
"Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Yep. All depends on someone's requirements really.
> When I am on vacation, as opposed to when I am on "business", could make a
> difference in calling habits.
>
> If I am on vacation, I don't mind letting my VM's stack up a bit and
> checking them once or twice a day.
> I would also give the people who really need to get you in case something
> really bad happened or something really urgent, your pre-paid number.
> If it's *that* important, cost doesn't matter at that point.
One can also change the voicemail message on their Sprint number.
(Until April 15, in case of emergency, I may be reached in Hong Kong at
1-866-519-5698 (or whatever the number is)).
- 03-22-2004, 07:49 AM #12Scott Nelson - Wash DCGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
Exactly.
Just make sure, as you said, you tell them that they are dialing an overseas
number.
Modifying your example:
(Until April 15, in case of emergency, I may be reached in Hong Kong at
1-866-519-5698 . If this is not urgent or an emergency, please leave a
message after the tone. )
That way, they can still leave a message for those who don't need to call
you and pay for International calling.
I am still curious as to whether SMS would go to SprintPCS roamer phone/SIM
Card.
Scotty
"Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Yep. All depends on someone's requirements really.
> > When I am on vacation, as opposed to when I am on "business", could make
a
> > difference in calling habits.
> >
> > If I am on vacation, I don't mind letting my VM's stack up a bit and
> > checking them once or twice a day.
> > I would also give the people who really need to get you in case
something
> > really bad happened or something really urgent, your pre-paid number.
> > If it's *that* important, cost doesn't matter at that point.
>
> One can also change the voicemail message on their Sprint number.
> (Until April 15, in case of emergency, I may be reached in Hong Kong at
> 1-866-519-5698 (or whatever the number is)).
- 03-22-2004, 08:00 AM #13Robert M.Guest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,
"Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Exactly.
> Just make sure, as you said, you tell them that they are dialing an overseas
> number.
>
> Modifying your example:
> (Until April 15, in case of emergency, I may be reached in Hong Kong at
> 1-866-519-5698 . If this is not urgent or an emergency, please leave a
> message after the tone. )
>
> That way, they can still leave a message for those who don't need to call
> you and pay for International calling.
>
> I am still curious as to whether SMS would go to SprintPCS roamer phone/SIM
> Card.
Do all the SprintPCS GSM phones support SMS even?
- 03-22-2004, 09:37 AM #14Scott Nelson - Wash DCGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
Two-way no, but one way yes.
I have an older Motorola Startac 7867 and it does one way SMS ( to the
phone, not from ).
Scotty
"Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Scott Nelson - Wash DC" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Exactly.
> > Just make sure, as you said, you tell them that they are dialing an
overseas
> > number.
> >
> > Modifying your example:
> > (Until April 15, in case of emergency, I may be reached in Hong Kong at
> > 1-866-519-5698 . If this is not urgent or an emergency, please leave a
> > message after the tone. )
> >
> > That way, they can still leave a message for those who don't need to
call
> > you and pay for International calling.
> >
> > I am still curious as to whether SMS would go to SprintPCS roamer
phone/SIM
> > Card.
>
> Do all the SprintPCS GSM phones support SMS even?
- 03-24-2004, 12:55 AM #15O/SirisGuest
Re: International Roaming and GSM phone options
In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
> When someone is doing the GSM SIMcard thing through SprintPCS, does
> SprintPCS pass any SMS and Voicemail waiting messages to GSM roamer phone=
?
> If not, the only thing you would be gaining is allowing people to call yo=
u
> via your known number and you would eat the cost and not them.
>=20
VM, I think, yes. Otherwise, what you said.
--=20
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them
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