Getting a cheap GSM phone (Verizon or otherwise) to use wi..

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

In article <1nt1o09lcktdokaug8hi12kjm9eu75q3v0@4ax.com>,
Nobody <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
>Hi there,
>
>I'm going to be heading overseas next month for a while (NZ and
>Australia to be precise) and as a Verizon customer here I was looking
>at my options. Verizon can sell me a new phone and a new plan
>overseas, but a much cheaper option sounds to be getting a cheapie GSM
>phone and a prepaid SIM card overseas. Anyone have any other
>suggestions, or have any ideas where to pick up a used or cheap GSM
>here in the states?

eBay. Gazillions of them. Just be sure the model covers 900 MHz and,
preferably, 1800 also.

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I'll need to get an "unlocked" one though, right? Thanks!

-Chris


On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 14:54:05 +0000 (UTC), retsuhcs@xinap.moc (Mike S.)
wrote:


>eBay. Gazillions of them. Just be sure the model covers 900 MHz and,
>preferably, 1800 also.
>

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

PrePaid Wireless is way ahead of the USA in OZ. No point in getting some
Verizon deal at 1.50 a minute. Look at http://groups.msn.com/prepaidwireless
and go to the Australia section. It has links to the carruiers PrePaid
Deals. Pick up a used GSM phone with 900/.18800ncapability that is nt SIM
Unlocked and you are ready to go. You may need a Aussie Address to get the
SIM, use a Hotel or become creative.

"Elector" <elector@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:kD8gd.8462$Ae3.2319@trndny02...
>
> "Nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:1nt1o09lcktdokaug8hi12kjm9eu75q3v0@4ax.com...
> >
> > Hi there,
> >
> > I'm going to be heading overseas next month for a while (NZ and
> > Australia to be precise) and as a Verizon customer here I was looking
> > at my options. Verizon can sell me a new phone and a new plan
> > overseas, but a much cheaper option sounds to be getting a cheapie GSM
> > phone and a prepaid SIM card overseas. Anyone have any other
> > suggestions, or have any ideas where to pick up a used or cheap GSM
> > here in the states?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > -Chris
> >
>
> Did you know that Verizon offers service where your going? There is a
place
> I believe on their web site where you rent the service in those locations.
I
> don't know if it is still there or not. It was however expensive at $1.50
a
> minute for the program. And you can pick up the phone or have it delivered
> to you.
>
> see it here: http://tinyurl.com/6xg9b
>
> Elector
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 15:54:56 GMT, "Elector" <elector@my-deja.com>
wrote:

>Did you know that Verizon offers service where your going? There is a place
>I believe on their web site where you rent the service in those locations. I
>don't know if it is still there or not. It was however expensive at $1.50 a
>minute for the program. And you can pick up the phone or have it delivered
>to you.

For $1.50 a minute plus a "feature" charge of $8.00 a month.

Compare that to using a phone that you buy with a prepaid account that
will initially cost you the equivalent of $20 or so and includes some
minutes and the per minute rate for local calls will likely be 40
cents or less.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the tips. As I'm leaving in less than a week, eBay
probably isn't the best option. Anyone have any ideas where I can
pick up an unlocked cheapie phone in the Boston area? Otherwise, I
can always try to hunt one up overseas.

Thanks in advance,
Chris


On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 16:50:41 -0700, "PTravel" <ptravel@ruyitang.com>
wrote:

>
>"Nobody" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
>news:1nt1o09lcktdokaug8hi12kjm9eu75q3v0@4ax.com...
>>
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I'm going to be heading overseas next month for a while (NZ and
>> Australia to be precise) and as a Verizon customer here I was looking
>> at my options. Verizon can sell me a new phone and a new plan
>> overseas, but a much cheaper option sounds to be getting a cheapie GSM
>> phone and a prepaid SIM card overseas. Anyone have any other
>> suggestions, or have any ideas where to pick up a used or cheap GSM
>> here in the states?
>>
>> Thanks!
>
>Verizon has some rental deal, but it is expensive and not worth it.
>
>I have two GSM phones that I picked up on eBay for about $100 each. I use
>them for international travel, and either buy a SIM card at my destination,
>or use a service like RoadPost (which used to be a good deal) for
>same-number-everywhere international service.
>
>Just make sure that the phone is tri-band and unlocked.
>
>>
>> -Chris
>>
>