INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR ROAMING
The complete Guide for both the frequent overseas traveler and the casual foreign tourist. Compare the roaming abilities of your current phone with those of other carriers

			Your Wireless Options
			Will Your Current Phone Work?
			Tips & Considerations
			Our Recommendations
			International Roaming FAQ
			The Savvy Wireless Traveler
			Tips from the FCC
			Canada Roaming
			Mexico Roaming

• Your regular cellular phone
  See if it will work where you are traveling, or consider switching to a US carrier that roams readily. Just pay the roaming charges, which can be substantial.
• An "International" phone or SIM
  A phone or chip that allows usage in many countries. Per-minute charges apply and vary from Free for incoming calls, to pricey.
• A "Local" Prepaid phone or SIM purchased in your destination country.
  This is one the most economical choices, especially for local foreign calls, but may require some user education.
• Satellite Phones
  They work where other phones don't, but at a high price. You can buy or rent and use it in really remote locations.
• Wi-fi Phones
  Use them directly in hot spots, or connect through a computer. It can be very cheap but with very limited mobility.
• Cruise Ships
  You can use certain US wireless phones on most major cruise lines. Roaming charges can be substantial but they are much less than what you'd pay for calls from your room on the ship. Your wireless company will charge you for your cellular usage onboard. Wi-fi service is often available, which would be billed by the cruise line. Get more Cruise Ship Tips.

• INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR PHONES:
  • MOBAL WORLD PHONES supplies Pay As You Go international GSM phones and SIM's that work in 150 countries. They also offer satellite phones, US and international rental phones, and wireless phones specifically for Japan and South Korea.
• UNLOCKED GSM PHONES are available from several sources including eBay and Moose Wireless. With an unlocked GSM phone you can insert a SIM from a US or Local carrier. That includes those from US carriers, International SIM's (see Below), and SIM's purchased locally in each foreign country.
• INTERNATIONAL ROAMING SIM's for your unlocked GSM phone can be purchased in advance from MOBAL.
• LOCAL SIM's for your unlocked GSM phone are available in various degrees of convenience after entering a foreign country. In some places they can be purchased at storefront vendors and kiosks, and in others from vending machines at train stations and air terminals. In other countries they can only be purchased at "official" outlets. Once a local SIM is purchased, it may also work in a neighboring country, sometimes at the same, local rate.
• LOCAL WIRELESS PHONE. In some places the only way to buy any Local cellular service is to buy a prepaid phone. In some cases this can be a good deal depending on the plan that comes with it. If it is a GSM phone, most likely the SIM can be removed and placed in your own unlocked GSM phone. Check our Tips for using foreign Local phones and SIM's.

• Wi-fi capable phones: There are many possibilities including Smart phones, the iPhone, Blackberry and others, with a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) connection.
• Other Wi-Fi devices. There are a number of computer-associated devices that can handle both incoming and outgoing calls that don't care where you are located.
  
  This type of connection is useful if you plan to handle calls from a fixed location. Rates can be as low as Free, depending on the cost of your Internet connection.