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Roam If You Want To: Tips for Globetrotters

If you're a frequent overseas traveler, your cell phone needs will differ from those of homebodies. Here are key options, viewed from a globetrotter's perspective.

GSM vs. CDMA: In most cases, a GSM phone is the better choice because GSM networks are widely available throughout Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America. But you should get a quad-band or so-called world phone--a handset that supports GSM on the 800-, 850-, 1800-, and 1900-MHz bands--because foreign nations don't use the same GSM frequencies as North America does.

CDMA networks, used in the United States by Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless, are less common overseas, although they are widely employed in Japan and Korea. Sprint or Verizon customers who travel a lot should consider a CDMA-GSM hybrid (see "Dual-Mode Cell Phones," below, for more details).

International roaming: If you have a GSM world phone (or are using your CDMA phone in a region that supports it), you should be able to get it set up for international roaming with your carrier, but be prepared for voice and data charges that will be much higher than what you're accustomed to paying back home (check with your carrier about rates). When traveling, turn your phone off when you're not ready to answer it, or you'll pay even more for calls that aren't sent directly to voice mail.

Using an overseas carrier: Instead of roaming on a GSM world phone, consider opening an account with a local carrier at your overseas destination and swapping in that carrier's SIM card for your usual one. (You typically cannot activate a CDMA phone on a different carrier's network.) But you'll need to either buy an unlocked GSM phone or ask your carrier (or someone else) to help you unlock your handset. Our chart lists the pros and cons of this approach versus international roaming.

Renting: If your phone won't work in the country you'll visit, consider renting one that will. The major U.S. operators (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) all rent and sell international phones; a few, including Verizon, even offer satellite phones, which work in remote areas without conventional cell service. You could also rent or buy a prepaid phone from a carrier at your destination.

Wireless PC cards: If you are taking your laptop along, consider buying or renting (if that's an option) a wireless card and subscribing to a global broadband service. Though pricey, this option lets you surf the Web in areas where Wi-Fi is not available.

Roaming vs. Using an Overseas Carrier

Click on the icon below to see our chart comparing these two international calling options.

Dual-Mode Cell Phones: Get Two Networks on One Phone

Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless customers once had to rent or buy different handsets when they traveled in Europe, where most cell phone service is based on GSM technology. But in recent years, these national CDMA carriers have begun offering handsets that can operate on both GSM and CDMA networks.

Verizon has four phones with this capability: the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and Samsung i830, for those seeking PDA features; and the older Motorola a840 and Samsung a795.

Sprint sells the 8830, the Samsung IP-830w, and Motorola's V555 for Nextel users.

Note that you will have to purchase a special plan or pay international roaming charges to use these handsets overseas. The carriers supply the GSM SIM card these phones use, and lock them so that you don't have the option of swapping in an overseas carrier's SIM card to get a cheaper plan. Nevertheless, for frequent business travelers who want to be reachable on the same phone number wherever they happen to be, the premium charges for international roaming may be worthwhile.

Grace Aquino writes the Dialed In column on cell phones and services for PCWorld.com.