Posted on 05/09/2010 1:31:13 PM PDT by KevinDavis
Here is the story..
I'm looking to get a decent cell phone provider that is good, have excellent phones, and be used in overseas. Right now I have a pay go phone (I used to have trash mobile but long story) and I can't use it globally..
I did ask companies like Boost and Cricket and they can't be used overseas. Out of the 3 which of would you recommend??
Friends I travel with has much better service even low lying areas ATT&T ot Verizon. Both seem to work well. When we really need to make a call, we use their’s. 9 Years on the road should say something.
That is not the HD 2.
AT&T is probably the most expensive, that being said it has been the best for business.
Strongest signal, best coverage (in my area) and works great as a modem tethering my cell phone to my laptop (a 2 in 1) use.
Oh, by the way. The only reason we keep it, our son has push to talk (Business phone), calls all day long, plus we have an old plan, free incoming calls, nationwide long distance and unlimited calling after 7PM and WE’s. When we have signal.
The HTC Touch Pro 2. Lots of features, the UI is great (I use SPB Mobile Shell though, mainly because I've been using it for a few years and don't want to change), the phone charges with ANY micro-USB cable (from any USB source - laptop, wall wart, car charger, etc), bright and big screen (bigger, higher resolution, and brighter than an iPhone), and really reliable. Full keyboard is nice, too...
It has CDMA here in the US, but takes SIM cards so I can use my China Mobile, 12Call (Thailand), etc SIM cards in foreign lands. All my contacts, calendar items, notes, important files, unified texting, 3G capability (if you buy a SIM card with 3G Internet overseas - very cheap), great speakerphone, very good camera, an 8 GB microSD card for movies, music, and books for entertainment when on the plane, etc. It syncs my 8 e-mail accounts, contains a great GPS core (very fast acquisition) that, when combined with Google Maps, gives me highly accurate directions AND maps, even overseas (including Bangkok, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc), and many other nice features.
It also has video out, and I have used that for PowerPoint Mobile presentations right off my phone. As well as displaying Word and Excel docs when I didn't want to lug my laptop along, and I knew my client had a projector.
I run Skype on it when in 3G mode; I receive Skype calls from my phone numbers (I have two in the US, one in Hong Kong, one in Taipei, one in Bangkok, one in Munich, and one in London) as well as normal cell phone (both US and overseas, depending upon the SIM card installed) calls.
Don't be afraid of buying a SIM card overseas; they are dirt cheap, you get a local number (which you keep, if you return every 3-12 months, depending upon the locale), it's incredibly easy to swap in and out, and you can take advantage of the features overseas (such as in China, where I can use my cell phone to buy food or drink at lots of places - no need to dig out some RMB).
I have a data plan here in the US, and I run the HTC built-in WIFI router software on the phone; in fact, I'm using it right now. It's my only Internet link - 3G to the phone, and the phone operates as a WIFI hot spot when I turn that functionality on. I don't have to carry extra devices, or cables, just a micro USB cable (available about everywhere), the phone and my laptop.
Basically, I wanted a single telecommunications device for ALL my telecom needs: Internet, messaging, all phone numbers. Power to do that, and handle US and Worldwide usage with both CDMA (Verizon rocks here in the US) and GSM via SIM cards.
The fact it's better than an iTouch for music and movies, is a pretty good camera (good enough for vacation and business photos), a map/guide, and a decent eBook reader means that I don't have to carry a ton of toys when I travel. My laptop, my phone, a USB cable, and a set of headphones (I use the Etymotic ER-6i in-ears; very comfortable, EXCELLENT noise blocking - better than noise canceling - and very high fidelity in a tiny package) is all I need for that 20 hour trip from Seattle to Bangkok!
If international is a requirement, don’t get Sprint unless by “international” you mean Canada.
You’re going to have to split your purchase. Get a phone from whomever is the best in your area (Check with friends to see who is the least bad). For overseas travel, the only way to go is to get an unlocked GSM phone (6th Avenue electronics, Amazon, and others sell them). You can get a phone that is good for voice and SMS for under $100 and then purchase a prepaid SIM locally.
Then use either Google Voice or Skype to direct US calls to your phone overseas. Truvoice is another option (and they have their own SIMs).
CDMA ( the tech used by Verizon and Sprint) is basically a US only system, no matter what Verizon says. They have some phones that are CDMA and GSM, but they are expensive and locked to VZV’s partners at high rates.
Here in the NE we’ve had Verizon since ‘03. The number of times I couldn’t get reception you could count on one hand and still have fingers left over.
Over time we added high speed and DTV all on 1 bill...it’s convenient that’s for sure. As far as being cost effective...I dunno that’s not my lane.
CDMA exists in much of Asia and South America; you have roaming costs to deal with, though, as you cannot "swap identities" of the phone like you can with a SIM card, which is why a dual-technology phone is VERY nice (like most of the newer HTC phones).
They have some phones that are CDMA and GSM, but they are expensive and locked to VZVs partners at high rates.
Only if you stick with CDMA overseas; to unlock my HTC Touch Pro 2 I simply had to walk in to the local Verizon Wireless store, and tell them I wanted the SIM card (GSM radio) unlocked for overseas travel. Literally 3 minutes later out I walked with a fully-unlocked phone, and it uses my overseas SIM cards seamlessly when traveling. No charge, no cost.
You can do it over the phone, too, if you like... Verizon will give you the unlock code with a 2 minute disclaimer that if you have problems on your foreign/non-Verizon SIM card you're on your own. Other than that, it's about as easy as you can get.
So you can benefit from the MUCH better Verizon network here in the US, and still get the advantage of SIM card swapability overseas if you get a decent phone that runs both technologies.
You said you had the HTC touchpro 2 which is also not the HD 2. Which do you have?
If you go with Verizon, go to a corporate store, not an authorized dealer. You will get much better service and no ripoffs, like giving you a used phone and telling you it’s a new one.
HTC touchpro 2. I wanted the full keyboard.
They also offer, at a discount to their customers, rental World phones if you don't have a phone that uses the EU system.
As far as the US, Consumer Reports rates Verizon's system number 1 in 29 out of 30 of the biggest markets.
My own experience — I drive some 100,000 miles a year all over the US, and have never lost service on the road with Verizon....how many can say that with ATT, Sprint, etc. For example, I check with people on a golf course in major cities who have NO service with others while I have four bars.
Now, and for many year, I've USED them all. I am always asking — in restaurants, gas stations, etc. — people on other systems who are on the road. NO ONE has the near coast to coast connectivity I have.
I have a Motorola Z6c phone that is GSM and CDMA. I travel to China and most areas it works except in Zhanjiang. I suspect it is the Navy base blocking the signal for phones from foreign locations. I just get a SIM card from a place like China Mobile and I can call home no problem.
I don’t know about overseas, but I’ve had sprint for a long time and they’ve always given me the best service. I recently upgraded to a camera phone - and I’m still happy with the quality of voice - besides the service.
Here’s a link to a comparo which includes the HD. The HTC pro 2 offered by AT&T is basically the same phone you have but with windows mobile 6.5 installed. The HD is a much more capable phone but that’s not what you have.
http://www.htc.com/us/products/compare/104-61-65?view=1-2&sort=0
I’m very glad that your experience with Verizon was better than mine. I found them duplicitous.
I have a business account with Sprint, where my phone is used for field service in some remote locations. I have been able to pick up a carrier signal where most have not. The only drawback with Sprint until late was being able to use a phone that is intrinsically safe - able to operate in refinery, chemical plant, and pipeline environments where inflammable vapors may be present. Many times I am on the phone with factory support for some pump, compressor, instrument, or other equipment, so it is part of my toolkit.
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