Global roaming FAQ

[supaman]

I don't know why anyone would choose to roam over in the first place (given that u don't have a choice of dual or tri-band phone --- tri band being the best choice).

For my example as I have a tri-band phone, I would get my phone unlocked, then just buy a prepaid sim whereever you are and you don't have to worry about any charges or rates. You just use up the minutes in your phone.

Then when you're in a different region, where that carrier does not work, just buy that sim card from the area, and you're good to go.

I did this when I visited India. Very cool! No hassels.
Even SMS back to the US here.

So this is regards to traveling outside US. If you're roaming on a plan form US, not only do you get charged from your carrier here, but sometimes the network you use at the country where you are.

I only speak from my experiences, so any other country might be different, but I would assume along the same lines of communication standards.

HTH.
-Supa

[DWC1]

Can anyone confirm if Tmobile's overseas roaming voicemail works better than AT&T? For example when I'm in Europe and I let the phone ring will the call be routed directly back to my personal voicemail greeting or does it go to a generic message that asks the caller to re-enter my phone number to leave a message like AT&T does?

I'm not too concerned about the charges as I value having one number world wide for my clients to reach me.

[DRNewcomb]

Originally posted by DWC1
when I'm in Europe and I let the phone ring will the call be routed directly back to my personal voicemail greeting or does it go to a generic message that asks the caller to re-enter my phone number to leave a message like AT&T does?

When your calls are diverted back to voicemail from a foreign carrier, if that carrier does not pass your phone number back to T-Mobile's system, then voicemail won't be able to figure out that it is from your phone and the call will go to the generic greeting. This is a general problem of international roaming, not related to one carrier or another. In some cases it has to do with the privacy laws in other countries.

[DRNewcomb]

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that T-Mobile is very slow to establish international roaming, particularly in Latin America. I've noticed recently that Cingular & ATT now have roaming in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama. None of which are listed on the T-Mobile website.

[rekoil]

Is it possible to buy a T-Mobile prepaid SIM overseas (in countries where T-Mobile operates, obviously) for use with a locked phone? Or do you need to unlock the phone in order to use any non-US SIM?

[jobber99]

Originally posted by rekoil
Is it possible to buy a T-Mobile prepaid SIM overseas (in countries where T-Mobile operates, obviously) for use with a locked phone? Or do you need to unlock the phone in order to use any non-US SIM?

if you've been a customer with tmobile for at least 90 days they'll unlock your phone for you free of charge. just dial 611.

[veezee]

Originally posted by anshuljain
Hmm...i haven't heard of a WRLDINTLR...i could find out and let u know. When did u activate intl. roaming to ur a/c?

-Anshul

means you have the latest plan for roaming (fixed rate as opposed to a variable rate like on some older plans)

jay

[590]

Originally posted by rekoil
Is it possible to buy a T-Mobile prepaid SIM overseas (in countries where T-Mobile operates, obviously) for use with a locked phone? Or do you need to unlock the phone in order to use any non-US SIM?

Contrary to popular belief, T-Mobile UK, T-Mobile Deustch and T-Mobile Czech operate as different companies with different mobile network codes.

[chemikaldreem]

if i were to move to europe, would i be able to get my t mobile NA service switched to say, t mobile italy?
would i have to wait until my t mobile contract ran out?

[hillstrubl]

you couldnt, they are all seperate companies

also,
there is no t-mobile italy, although TIM is owned under the Deutsche Telekom umbrella

[forest007]

I will be going on a cruise to Honduras, Mexico, and Belize in October. Just wondering if I can purchase a prepaid phone and use it in these places. If so do I need to purchase a sim when I arrive at these places or how would this work?