International cell phone help please

[Jim1970]

Hello,

My family and I are headed to the Caribbean soon and I have been doing research into how to stay in touch with other family members while we are away. I have learned that our regular verizon phones will not work while we are in the easter or western Caribbean. I also learned that a guy can rent a cell phone that works anywhere in the world. It is not a satellite phone, but instead just a regular cell phone with different service.

Can anyone who has done this recommend a place where I can rent an international cell phone? I already googled it and found many places, but I'd like to hear from someone who has experienced this directly who can offer pros and cons.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

[Weiser 878]

With ATT, if they have coverage there, you can change your plan to international for just a couple of months and change it back upon your return.
My cousin travels to europe a lot, and she does this, I know its really expensive compared to normal cell bills, but she said it beats the hell out of INt Roaming

[Jim1970]

We have verizon.

I think we can do something like that with them -- I have an email into them to find out.

Thanks,

Jim

[Mccullma]

Call Verizon directly. If your cell phone doesn't have a SIM card, they will ship you one free of charge. I just got back from Scotland where I used a Verizon cell phone the whole two weeks. The cost is about $1.29 a minute there. The Verizon people can help you on all of the different options.

[Jim1970]

Mccullma,

Nice to hear this. I didn't want to have to rent a phone if I could avoid it. I guess I could just go see a verizon person today at the mall. That would solve my problem!

Thanks!

Jim

[blueiron]

Verizon doesn't use GSM, so in most of the world, CDMA and that phone are worthless. ATT, T-Mobile, and some others use GSM. Buy a cheap dual band ATT pre-paid phone and you are set.

[Weiser 878]

Yeah, that's what I was saying. Your Verizon phone is a paper weight outside most of the US. I said ATT because I know they'll work in most of the Caribbean.

[cjlandry]

Verizon doesn't use GSM, so in most of the world, CDMA and that phone are worthless. ATT, T-Mobile, and some others use GSM. Buy a cheap dual band ATT pre-paid phone and you are set.

Not entirely true.

I'm on Verizon, because of my work.

I've used my Verizon Blackberry 8830 in England and Italy this trip, mainly in GPRS mode.

Verizon is a Vodafone partner, and you'll find Vodafone in most places around the world (caveat: at least the few places where I've traveled).

In fact, I picked up my SIM card in Corpus Christi, and it has the Vodafone brand on it.