| Have you ever traveled internationally with your cell | | | | over to the local phone store, kiosk, kid on the |
| phone? I have. A couple of points: | | | | corner and buy yourself a cheap ol' phone card with |
| When you get there it MIGHT work. Most phones | | | | a chip. Insert it into your phone and voila, you're |
| actually do work around the world. GSM, in particular, | | | | paying cheap local rates ... dirt cheap for local calls and |
| is a widely used technology. Hopefully you have | | | | about 25 million times cheaper for international. Sure, |
| spent a few hours researching this issue with your | | | | you get a different phone number ... you can just be |
| carrier before you left. | | | | happy and use it, check voicemail on the unaffordable |
| It MIGHT work if I can get my US carrier's customer | | | | carrier, or forward your calls, all pretty simple, and |
| service rep on the line to tell me how/what to dial | | | | less expensive than the bankruptcy lawyer. By the |
| from what country/network and other confusing | | | | way you can keep the number. I think it's pretty cool |
| frustrating stuff I really don't care about. Ah ha ... | | | | to have a China number anyhow ... good for my "big |
| you've got a connection, now to call the family, | | | | shot" ego. |
| maybe the office ... you can push all the buttons you | | | | What? You put the chip in and nadda, nuca, nuttin! |
| want until your finger bleeds ... but ya' better know | | | | AH HA ... so you have a locked cell phone. No |
| what to push and in what order. No problem, call your | | | | surprise. Ninty percent or more cell phones sold in the |
| carrier ... but you're in Vietnam, and the hold music | | | | U.S. are sold by cell service carriers. You know, the |
| sounds the same there as anywhere ... so what do | | | | ones who give you a big huge discount when you |
| you push with your bloody finger anyhow? | | | | buy their locked phone ........ now you get it! They're |
| When I get home I immediately give all my money | | | | just waiting for you to get home from your trip. |
| to my carrier ... just can't stand the wait time for the | | | | Your local Bar Association can supply you with a list |
| ridiculous bill. If you don't plan ahead and check with | | | | of good bankruptcy lawyers. |
| your carrier about international calling rates you're in | | | | For more information on unlocked phones, why they |
| for a big surprise. Most carriers offer an international | | | | are better, newer and overall cheaper, please go to |
| rate plan which is about as valuable as a note from | | | | WXPlanet. You'll be surprised at how cheap it can be |
| your mother to the carrier in Africa who is going to | | | | to go there ... still talk ... and come home unscathed. |
| charge you whatever amount they feel is | | | | Oh, and you can also reach me on my China number |
| unconscionable and then multiple it by 25. | | | | at 13717.809.532 - please leave a message. |
| So what to do when you get to Beijing? Just trot | | | | |