Travel Cell Phones Are Not All The Same

As a study abroad student, there are important tips you will need to know about cell phone use. When you buy or rent a travel cell phone for international use, it should have the capabilities to operate in the three most popular GSM frequencies used by wireless service providers: GSM 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz.  Although those are the most popular America, Europe, and Asia support additional frequencies.  It’s important to check what frequencies are supported where you are going and what the phone supports. Additionally the phone will need to be unlocked in order for you to receive service through worldwide providers.

Getting the Right Travel Cell Phone
There are travel cell phones that you can purchase or rent that can be used worldwide. Here are basic features that a phone needs in order to work overseas.

• Correct Cellular Frequency
  -There a variety of radio frequency types and encoding services for the different cell phone providers.
  -Check online resources like Wikipedia that show the supported frequencies for your destination.
  -Check if your existing phone is unlocked and able to support the cellular frequencies.
  -If your current cell phone is unable to receive the encoding or the frequency available in a particular area, there will be no service to your cell phone and it won’t work.
• Wireless Phone Service
  -Get local phone service and a local phone number for your destination
  -Renting an international sim card or travel cell phone can get you the lowest rates

GSM Band Explained
The service frequency varies by country; however, GSM service is accessible in 212 counties. The United States supports GSM frequencies, 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. To pick the right cell phone it needs to support the GSM frequency of the country you are traveling to. The 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies are used in most parts of the world: Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania and most of Asia. In South and Central America the following countries use the these frequencies:

• Costa Rica - GSM-1800
• Brazil - GSM-850, 900 and 1800
• Guatemala - GSM-850, GSM-900 and 1900
• El Salvador - GSM-850, GSM-900 and 1900

There are various options in choosing the type of phone for international use. These compatible cell phones come in a vast array of features, but the most important feature is if it matches the GSM frequency that you’ll need. You have an option to purchase or rent a GSM travel cell phone.  They may come as a dual band GSM, triband GSM, or as a quadband GSM phone.

Dual Band GSM
Opting for a dual band gsm phone comes in two frequencies. Common international frequencies are 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz.  The phone may have access to one US GSM frequency and one popular overseas frequency. If your phone supports your destinations frequency than it’s acceptable for the average traveler who will visit one country.  If the trip is to multiple destinations in multiple countries or continents that it’s a good idea to have a triband gsm phone or the professional travelers phone of choice, the quadband gsm phone.   If you aren’t planning on moving to your destination than a travel cell phone rental from a reliable international phone service provider is the most affordable and convenient way to go.

Triband GSM Phone
A triband gsm cell phone will allow you to access the three GSM frequencies.  This is a great option if the destination country supports more than one.  In some cities they may support one frequency while reserving the other frequency for rural areas.  This phone may also support one US frequency, one European frequency, and one South American frequency. You’ll need to check the phones specifications against your destination countries supported frequencies.  This is a good option for the beginning traveler or more experienced traveler alike. If you are planning a trip for a few months or less than a travel cell phone rental from a reliable international phone service provider is the most affordable and convenient way to go.

Quadband GSM Phone
A quadband gsm phone is the most flexible phone option for serious  travelers.   While these phones usually cost more than others the four GSM phone frequencies allow it to work in most places in the world.  This phone is more for a frequent traveler or someone who is going to many places in one trip. If you are planning a trip like this then a quadband gsm phone rental from a reliable international phone service provider is the most affordable and convenient way to go.