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  1. #1
    dac
    Guest
    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




  2. #2
    Robert 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.



  3. #3
    O/Siris
    Guest

    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



  4. #4
    Mike
    Guest

    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



  5. #5
    Lawrence Glasser
    Guest

    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



  6. #6
    Robert 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.



  7. #7
    tg
    Guest

    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.






  8. #8
    Scott Nelson - Wash DC
    Guest

    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.

    >
    >






  9. #9
    Robert 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.



  10. #10
    Scott Nelson - Wash DC
    Guest

    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.






  11. #11
    Robert 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)).



  12. #12
    Scott Nelson - Wash DC
    Guest

    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)).






  13. #13
    Robert 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?



  14. #14
    Scott Nelson - Wash DC
    Guest

    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?






  15. #15
    O/Siris
    Guest

    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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