Cell phones forum: What US carrier is best for travel to Turkey (and Europe)?

I'm guessing by your questions that you aren't familiar enough with the entire process(?).

For example, if you wanted to use a Verizon phone in Turkey, you could use the Verizon branded iPhone 5, which is unlocked for use w/ a SIM card on a local GSM network in Europe. This means you get to use prepaid service which would be cheaper for making local calls there. Calling back home is another issue, if that's also a feature you need while abroad. Whatever you do, using Verizon's international rates will set you back for more extensive calling while roaming abroad. Some folks even stick to Skype over wifi to call back home.

The pressing issue is cutting a foreign SIM to fit into the iPhone 5, since it takes a nano SIM. Cutting them down is relatively painless though.

An even easier option would be to find any unlocked, quad-band GSM handset for use while travelling in Europe/Turkey. They normally accommodate the standard sized SIM cards. Just find prepaid service when you are there are talk away...

Thanks guys, I don't want to use the foreign SIM, but rather the US phone. I realize it's pricey to talk from abroad on a US phone.

But last time I traveled to Turkey, my Verizon phone kept resetting and rebooting. I was told it was because of the CDMA network; and I recently heard that Verizon's newer phones were more adaptable to European (i.e. non-CDMA) networks.

Do you know anything about this?

Thanks!

You won't be using the CDMA side, since it's not used in Europe/Turkey.

Keep in mind you will be paying through the nose to use your Verizon service abroad vs local SIM cards. If you want more clarification on this, feel free to ask. I thought I covered the particulars above, but maybe not(?)

The newer Verizon (global) handsets include CDMA technology (for use here), as well as GSM/UMTS, which is generally used by the rest of the world (including your destinations). If you are dead set on *not* using a foreign SIM (maybe because you want to keep your regular cell number for the duration of your trip?), all you do is upgrade your phone to one that also handles GSM/UMTS networks, preferably one with the following frequency bands:

900/1800/2100

Let Verizon know in advance where you will be roaming with your Verizon based service- they can activate this for you/properly provision your account. That way you are not going to have any 'surprises' when bouncing between Istanbul & Frankfurt .

Thanks a ton Pepe and Birdman, do you think AT&T has better service in Turkey/Europe than Verizon? Or is it the same with the new GSM/UMTS technology you reference?

They do however have phones that will suffice while roaming over there on foreign partner networks. It's only *marginally* less effort with an ATT phone, since ATT shares the same technologies on their stable of phones. In other words, all Verizon phones are not suited for use abroad, but a much greater portion of the ATT handsets are from the get go.

Does that give you a good enough explanation to help you decide? I guess I am wondering, would you be signing a new contract w/ ATT just so you could use a phone in Turkey(?) Or is that 'plan b'(?)

I have a Verizon contract already, but I can end it with no penalty. Since I'll be spending some additional time over in Turkey/Europe, I was thinking about getting a new contract with ATT&T if the coverage is better. It's only really worth switching away from Verizon if ATT&T is much better.

Thanks!

Why would you switch your home carrier (and currently enjoyed coverage/services) just for a trip abroad?

Wrong thread perhaps?

As I have a story about overseas safety the OP's mention of certain places and such had me remember this story so I shared.

Some companies do supply security support, some don't. Some ignore advice and you get a story that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Bob

A lot has changed since WW2, Bob

I'm unsure why you think it was that long ago.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/145306/

Most understand why you want the remote car starter. See you around (all over the place?)
Bob

Pull up a chair, amigo.

Nobody's touring the Syrian/Turkish border. None of the tour groups are going there (obviously!), nor are the major attractions located there. And the Turkish government is partially restricting who can travel to those areas as well. Istanbul's a long way from the horrible example of violence you have cited above. So now we have to use remote starters to see the Eiffel tower simply because the banlieue (sp.) is full of Muslims(?)

It has been a few years for me, but my in-laws were there twice over the last three years with great experiences. My friends who normally complain about being in arguably less 'western' focused countries had good feedback as well. Another friend who works in concert w/ State Dept. personnel didn't give me 'the look' either when I told him my family members were travelling there again.

What's my point? Anybody can press the 'let's all get into a panic' button. It truly serves no purpose for someone travelling to very typical touristy areas in Turkey.

Now it's your turn to put on your thinking cap. Why can't I share the date/time/incident details? It's still in litigation.

The story above had me think of the tragedy that happened to a person in the company I was working for. They were in Turkey and not at the border.

See you around?
Bob

I'm a little more selective about when I push the panic button, or tell others to 'watch out for the bogeyman'.

Let's quit the silly banter and stick to the topic or this thread will be locked.

As this is a discussion forum, we are free to share more than the usual.
Bob

Lock it whenever you're ready

Since this thread has spun out of control and the OP's question was answered, thread closed. OP if you have additional questions, please start a new thread.