Why Rent an International Cell Phone
Unless you have a satellite phone for daily use, your cell phone is unlikely to work while traveling abroad for a number of reasons. Cell phone companies provide service to defined and limited geographical areas. Cell phones won't work in many less populated areas, even inside the United States. Cell transmission depends on towers placed strategically to cover the areas most densely populated. Where cell phone coverage overlaps with another carrier, agreements allow use of any cell phones. Most of the roaming charges that once made cell phones astronomically expensive have been eliminated in the U.S. This is not the case in other countries.
Cell phones appear to work the same way in foreign countries, but there are a few key differences to be aware of. First, agreements between cell phone carriers may allow use, but it is likely to be incredibly expensive. Roaming fees for using U.S.-based cell phones abroad are notoriously steep. But cost is not the only issue that makes a global phone rental more practical. U.S. phones might be incompatible with the system in some areas, and therefore incompatible with the signal. U.S. cell phones may not work at all, depending on the type of phone. In the U.S., carriers use either CDMA technology or GSM technology. One of the largest U.S. carriers uses CDMA. A CDMA phone will not work in Europe or most of Asia.
Another option for international cell phone coverage is to purchase a SIM card for each country you plan to visit and use it in your existing phone, if it is compatible. Many modern phones do not use SIM cards. SIM cell phones are still on the market, but if your phone is a popular Blackberry or Android model, for example, there is no SIM. Another issue with switching out SIM cards is system compatibility. Many foreign countries, including all European nations, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Asia, use a GSM spectrum between 900 and 1800. North America uses GSM spectrums that fall between 850 and 1900. Many cell phones designed for use in the U.S. and Canadian will not work overseas.
In addition, there is the issue of coverage. Global phone rentals have fewer geographical limitations and will work almost anywhere. When you rent one of these travel cell phones, agreements between foreign carriers insures overlapping coverage. All of these problems are addressed when you rent a travel cell phone.
Renting a travel cell phone is a practical approach to the problem of international travel. In today's world, being out of touch is unimaginable to most of us, and being in a foreign country without access to online new sources and losing touch with business contacts, family, and friends is frustrating and often stressful.
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