Using a Phone in East Asia and Europe.

[TIMESWORDSMAN]

I'm going to be jumping between Malaysia and Europe this summer, and I need a smart-phone.
However, as an American, I have no knowledge of either the working phones in these locations or SIM Cards, So my questions are:

A. Will a United Kingdom phone work in Europe and Malaysia if I buy SIM cards in each location.

B. I was looking for a Droid, are good ones available that are SIM compatible.

C. How can I get a phone to America so that I will have it when I end up in Malaysia?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

It's really kind if important, and while I know that The Escapist isn't really the appropriate venue for this kind of question, it's the only forum I'm familiar with.

 

[Aurgelmir]

I'm going to be jumping between Malaysia and Europe this summer, and I need a smart-phone.
However, as an American, I have no knowledge of either the working phones in these locations or SIM Cards, So my questions are:

A. Will a United Kingdom phone work in Europe and Malaysia if I buy SIM cards in each location.

B. I was looking for a Droid, are good ones available that are SIM compatible.

C. How can I get a phone to America so that I will have it when I end up in Malaysia?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

It's really kind if important, and while I know that The Escapist isn't really the appropriate venue for this kind of question, it's the only forum I'm familiar with.

A. If it is a smart phone, which you say you want, they yes it will work anywhere in the world, just make sure the phone isn't operator locked, that way you cant change SIMs.
Also most european SIMS work anywhere in the world, but of course it can get really expensive to use 3G and stuff. So dont download anything with a foreign SIM, just dont.

B. See A. As far as I know the US is the only country that have none SIM phones etc. But again be sure to get a phone that is not locked to an operator and you should be fine. Thye will generally be more expensive, but you dont want to lock the phone.

C. Okay I don't understand this question, sorry.

 

[TIMESWORDSMAN]

Spoiler: snip

I'm going to be jumping between Malaysia and Europe this summer, and I need a smart-phone.
However, as an American, I have no knowledge of either the working phones in these locations or SIM Cards, So my questions are:

A. Will a United Kingdom phone work in Europe and Malaysia if I buy SIM cards in each location.

B. I was looking for a Droid, are good ones available that are SIM compatible.

C. How can I get a phone to America so that I will have it when I end up in Malaysia?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

It's really kind if important, and while I know that The Escapist isn't really the appropriate venue for this kind of question, it's the only forum I'm familiar with.

A. If it is a smart phone, which you say you want, they yes it will work anywhere in the world, just make sure the phone isn't operator locked, that way you cant change SIMs.
Also most european SIMS work anywhere in the world, but of course it can get really expensive to use 3G and stuff. So dont download anything with a foreign SIM, just dont.

B. See A. As far as I know the US is the only country that have none SIM phones etc. But again be sure to get a phone that is not locked to an operator and you should be fine. Thye will generally be more expensive, but you dont want to lock the phone.

C. Okay I don't understand this question, sorry.

Thanks a lot! You really helped out.
That last question mostly just involved shipping, I can probably discover the answer on Google.

 

[Cptntequila]

Let me start off by saying I have limited knowledge of cell phones and can only tell you what I learned from personal experience.

A. You have to buy an unlocked smart phone. Do not buy anything that comes from Verizon, Verizon works on a different network (GSM I think please don't hammer me tech dudes) than Europe and won't work. I moved to Switzerland from Chicago and my Verizon blackberry became a paperweight. If you buy a phone from AT&T even if you don't change sim cards it will still work you will just pay massive roaming fees. My wife has had the same AT&T phone since before we moved and all she did was swap out the sim card.

B. I know nothing about the Droid but if it is Verizon exclusive don't buy it (see above). I know Samsung makes some great Google based phones.

C. You can buy an unlocked phone that requires a sim card in the US. Look on Craigslist or EBAY and you will find a ton of them. No need to order from Europe or Asia.

My advice: buy a cheap regular phone that is Sim card compatible. (From my experience AT&T phones work) Most companies that you will be buying a prepaid card from are reasonable on Text and voice prices but absolutely rip you off for using data. During my travels (especially to less developed countries) I find it easiest to use a cheap not smart(dumb?)phone to text friends and family and use for emergencies. Going to an internet cafe or using the computer in the hotel lobby to catch up on emails and such works great. Even relying on free wireless (available at most hotels and some cafes) works out fine. Buying and replacing Sim cards once you are here is easy.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[JCD2k4]

Getting a satellite phone would be the best option but that's very, very expensive.

Get a Quad band GSM phone without SIM lock. That mobile phone will work practically anywhere GSM systems are found -- about 200 countries world-wide. This way you should be able to use different (prepaid) SIM cards pretty much everywhere.

 

[Aurgelmir]

Getting a satellite phone would be the best option but that's very, very expensive.

Get a Quad band GSM phone without SIM lock. That mobile phone will work practically anywhere GSM systems are found -- about 200 countries world-wide. This way you should be able to use different (prepaid) SIM cards pretty much everywhere.

Considering he wants a Droid I think he will have quadband

Man I remember back in the day when dual band was the rage