Superdan Well-Hard Bangin' Member Member 3,422 Member For: 17y 9m 29d Gender: Male Location: Perff, WA Posted 10/12/08 11:22 AM Share Posted 10/12/08 11:22 AM Needing some advice on this one fellas, I was about to jump in and sign up for something this arvo, but thought I'd check it out with y'all beforehand. So I'm off to the big EU in may next year, and I'm up for a new phone contract between now and then. I would preferably like to have one device to take with me that will be able to handle phone calls, messaging, internet and GPS if possible. I know there's a few options out there, but they need to coincide with the fact that I'm traveling throughout Europe. I guess it's all well and good having a phone that does everything, but the provider needs to be good enough reception wise too. Handset options I'm looking at so far are the Iphone 3G (yes I shuddered too, but seems like a good option), Blackberry Storm, SE X1 or Samsung Omnia (or the Instinct if anyone has a line in AUS!?)Providers?? with Vodafone now, and apart from the 17 blackspots within my house they seem to be doing me well on their cap, just need to know if their OS coverage will be OK or not, otherwise I've been told Telstra, but not sure about their OS coverage either. Thoughts/Suggestions/ Comments etc pleaseCheersDan Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty32 Legendary member!! Donating Members 1,739 Member For: 18y 4m 27d Gender: Male Location: Dianella, West Oz Posted 11/12/08 12:49 AM Share Posted 11/12/08 12:49 AM Dan- I used a Vodafone prepaid simcard that I purchased in England right the way through the other half a dozen countries I visited and had no problems with reception in any location...The simcard even works over here under Vodafone Aus so you should be fine with a plan and international roaming... Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-784366 Share on other sites More sharing options...
smicky Go Pies!!! Donating Members 2,852 Member For: 17y 4m 1d Gender: Male Location: Vic Somewhere - Sometimes NSW Posted 12/12/08 12:42 AM Share Posted 12/12/08 12:42 AM Dude, call Voda and just check their rates for the country you re heading to...Voda is about the best in the UK, but their rates may have changed since I was over there awhile ago, however was perfect for me!Voda is huge in the UK, and therefore you should have any issues... the change over is seamless for vodafone as well! Jump off the plane and your fone will say Vodafone still!AS for handset, check out the thread Senna had about email phones... Hope this helps! Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-785114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAP No boost, no bottle, just my foot on the throttle! Lifetime Members 7,935 Member For: 21y 4m 4d Gender: Male Location: Sydney Posted 12/12/08 02:16 AM Share Posted 12/12/08 02:16 AM Do not use an Aussie SIM, all calls and SMS's to the phone are IDD rates. Get a SIM in EU that suits the countries you will be visiting the most. Do some Googling on the mobile companies in each country.My Outlaws went from the UK, France and Germany earlier in the year and had soem fantastic rates on a prepaid SIM.Mobile data will be a PIA unless you get a carrier that is available in all the countries and they do not bend you over when roaming.The outlaws just used the hotels free wifi or hotspots.As for the GPS they bough the EU maps for the GPS they already owned and ebayed it when they got back. Cost the $10 for the maps for a 8 week trip. Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-785175 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty32 Legendary member!! Donating Members 1,739 Member For: 18y 4m 27d Gender: Male Location: Dianella, West Oz Posted 12/12/08 02:36 AM Share Posted 12/12/08 02:36 AM (edited) If your just interested in using a UK prepaid Simcard, let me know Dan and you can borrow mine for your trip.Cheers!Edit: Girlfriend has one aswell so if your partner needs one too you can borrow them both. Edited 12/12/08 02:38 AM by Dirty32 Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-785189 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Donating Members 2,930 Member For: 18y 2m 5d Gender: Male Location: Caracciola Karussell Posted 12/12/08 01:24 PM Share Posted 12/12/08 01:24 PM (edited) Dan I used my Aussie handset (Nokia) / 3 sim with international roaming turned on and it was fine. I rang a few people (ie mum when we had NO access to cash outside the Vatican and 30 euro's to get us to Rome airport the next day), msg'd a few people etc and I think I spent about $100 bucks above my capMy mrs saved a fair bit of money by getting another sim, but really when your spending 5K++ on a holiday (and probably a LOT more in your case), is it really worth worrying about a couple of hundred bucks? I dont think so.Lots of free wi-fi spots and most of our hotels had it. When I go back, I'll buy one of those small notebook things that seem to retail for sub $500. That would have been the most helpfull thing I could have used. Mainly for tickets / banking stuff. BUT then again, your on holiday AWAY from people back in Perth, sif you wanna spend all day emailing them!! I just used the hotel PCThe only drama I had were the pricks at NAB. I got new cards specially for my trip and the bloke at NAB promised me it would work. It worked in Perth but didnt O/S.... So I had to transfer money into my GF's account. When I rang them (again outside Vatican) they were most unhelpfullWhile English is pretty common, I'd learn another language too. My mrs knows German and taught me the basics and I also picked up a slittle bit of Italian. Trying to order food at Piazza Navona in Rome was a great experience. Im struggling to order correctly and this Italian bloke knew English well but refused to let me order in English. Just watching him with other tourists showed that a little bit of effort goes a long wayI know this sounds racist but if an Asian person (since they are our #1 visitors) came into your work and didnt make an effort with you, you wouldnt bother with them would u? But if the same person came in and at least attempted to speak English, im sure you would be far more helpfull. Just bit of courtesy I think Edited 12/12/08 01:30 PM by Mat Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-785631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFHOON Donating Members 1,932 Member For: 19y 2m 25d Gender: Male Location: nsw Posted 13/12/08 04:13 AM Share Posted 13/12/08 04:13 AM have a look at the nokia e series.has all the wifi office exel internet gps qwerty keyboard stuff you need, I love mine.and as the others have said get a pre ppaid sim in the country you are staying in. its much cheaper. Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/52388-mobile-service-in-europe/#findComment-785829 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now