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Two tech questions about smart phones

NPT

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Aug 28, 2001
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  1. If you buy a new smart phone (not from carrier) and want to get it activated how do you go about that? Do you just move the SIM card from your old phone to the new phone?
  2. I've always read that when traveling internationally the cheapest way to use your phone over there is to just buy a SIM card in the country you're traveling to. How does that work? Do you just install the SIM card you buy in your own phone and that's it? Does the SIM card you buy allow you to talk so many minutes?
 
2. I've always read that when traveling internationally the cheapest way to use your phone over there is to just buy a SIM card in the country you're traveling to. How does that work? Do you just install the SIM card you buy in your own phone and that's it? Does the SIM card you buy allow you to talk so many minutes?

You go to a shop/kiosk that sells SIM cards and then buy the one that fits your needs (how much data you'll want, how long it will be valid, etc.). Not to be too pedantic, but be sure that you know how to get at your SIM card, and what size it is (standard, nano). Also, be sure not to lose your home-based SIM - store carefully. With a new SIM, you'll also have a new phone number from the new country, so you might alert friends/family that they'll receive messages/calls from you from a different number. Depending on where you're going and what SIM you buy, you will need to see if your new SIM covers you in all of the places you'll go. For example, will you be in Europe, and only in one country, or in several countries? Or will you be close to a border?

Also, be sure that your current smartphone is unlocked or is automatically set up to access the networks where you'll be going. (This has been more of an issue for Verizon phones in the US, AFAIK, and has been increasingly less of an issue, so if your phone is newer, or you'll be buying a new one, this may not be a concern.)

Depending on your current carrier, you may be able to get by with wifi, offline maps and your current carrier's international options. All of which you probably already thought about, but at least now you have a reply to read...
 
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