Buying an International Phone
If you’ve done much traveling outside of North America, you know that language and culture aren’t the only important differences to keep in mind when you head overseas. Adapting to another country’s technology is vital for business travelers and anyone else hoping to keep in touch while on the road. Choosing the right mobile phone for your international journeys can mean the difference between having a useful travel companion and a pricey paperweight.
Where are you going?
There are two primary technologies, GSM and CDMA, powering most of the world’s mobile devices. The U.S. is a bit of an odd case, in that we have multiple carriers operating with each technology: Verizon and Sprint run CDMA, while AT&T and T-Mobile run GSM. In many other countries, mobile users are limited to one or the other. Phones also operate on a variety of frequencies. 850 and 1900 mHZ are standard here, but again, this varies from country to country. Not all phones and plans are compatible with all technologies and frequencies. You’ll definitely want to do a little research to find out what the standards are for your destination.
Is your phone unlocked?
Once you know your tech specs, you’ll want to look for an unlocked mobile phone. An unlocked phone allows the user to switch out SIM or RUIM cards, making it easily adaptable to a variety of carriers. Don’t assume that you’ll need a whole new mobile device for your travels - many domestic plans can be easily upgraded to international. You may also be able to call your carrier to set up a month-by-month international calling plan. Every Best Buy Mobile location carries a great selection of unlocked phones, plus prepaid 02SIM and GOSIM cards to ensure smooth travels.
Check out Best Buy Mobile’s selection of unlocked phones.