Help Phones Abroad

[Rubber Bullets]

Hi,

I'm shortly going to Canada and wondered about getting a really cheap unlocked phone and buying a PAYG sim when I get there.

Is this possible/ a good idea. and is there an reason at all that something like this wouldn't work with this scheme.

I just want something to phone and check reservations etc. and be able to phone home in case of emergency.

RB

 

[inactionman]

Probably easiest to your phone unlocked, then get a GSM SIM in Canada. I'm doing similar when I go to the US in a couple of weeks.

Is your phone Quad-band?

 

[Vae]

Just bear in mind that Canada uses both GSM networks and CDMA networks so your GSM UK phone will only work with certain Canadian networks.

You also need to make sure that your GSM phone is at least triband capable.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Thanks for that guys, it looks like I can get a sim for less than 10 dollars.

My phone is a HTC Hero, but I'm not sure I want to take it with me. I guess I could dig out one of my old ones and get it unlocked, but I have no idea whether they are tri or quad band. I don't really know what this means anyway

The Maplins one I linked to doesn't mention it either, but it doesn't have much in the way of specs.

RB

 

[inactionman]

The Hero is quad-band for GSM, you won't get 3G access though.

Here's a good site for checking phone specs.