I'm getting ready to make the jump to an international carrier and start class soon. With this comes the question of how do most of you go about making phone calls from overseas.

I currently have Sprint for my cell phone provider. I am toying with the idea of getting a new cell phone with the GSM chip to allow international service, or go with the old calling card route. Any input from you all as to the best way to go would be appreciated.

I use my computer to make calls home on MSN Messenger or Skype. It's free. Well, nearly so, I sometimes have to pay internet connection charges.

Alternatively I use my company provided GSM phone to SMS friends and family. Of course I have to pay per message, but it's pretty reasonable.

TP

It all depends what country you are going to.

First of all go to a reputable phone store in the country you are going to be flying... ie. in the US, you have Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile. Don't trust any of these cheap discount kiosks who say the are approved dealers for the above.

Where I am, they have Vodaphone, Orange and a few others. I took my phone to Orange. The representative was very honest, and told me I don't need a new phone. He went on to sell me a SIM CARD which was inserted into my phone that I purchased in the US last year. I am on a pay as you go plan, in other words pre-pay program. The rates are very reasonable and like the US, others who are on the Orange program, calls are free to them.

Check with current crewmembers at your airline.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure.

I have Cingular GSM and it works great overseas. Also works fine in South America.

Don't overlook the fact that sometimes a direct call from the hotel is as cheap as other alternatives. I've called from our Singapore, London and even Hong Kong hotels that were as inexpensive as any other option.

You will have to do careful research as it's not the norm. More often than not, direct dialing from hotels is not the cheapest.

I used the MCI Prepaid calling cards. I would buy them at costco. I think it was about 670 minutes for about $20. That's for use in the US at that rate, if you use them in Japan, Hong Kong, or other Cities in Asia, the cost is a little more, but still pretty cheap. I also used the Internet alot. Cell phones may be cheaper now, that was a few years ago. Ask the guys you fly with, they will know the cheapest way to go. Good Luck in your new job!

If you get a GSM phone make sure it is unlocked. ATTWS would not unlock my phone a few years back. I've heard Verizon will not unlock it until your contract is up. Also make sure the freq. is compatable. We use two different freqs in the US Only one is compatable in Europe.

Make sure you get a GSM world 4 Band phone.

Most US companies will not unlock your phone.....SO.......As soon as you get overseas go to a local shop that sells cellular accessories. I went to a store in TPE and the guy unlocked my ATT (now cingular) phone in about 5 minutes.............He charged me about $1 USD. After your phone is unlocked..................As a previous poster already said

"you can buy a local SIM card for next to nothing and buy Pre-paid service"

I have one sim card for Europe, which I purchased in a "Tabac" (Tabacco) shop in Paris, One card for ROC Taiwan and the Phillipines and Honk Kong.
Haven't worked on the Mideast or Mainland China yet.
GSM doesn't work in Japan, I think they use different frequencies.

When I get to that country, I pull my US sim card out and pop in the local one and Wallah .......I have a working phone.

I use G-talk and G-chat Works great...Need an Invit [email protected]

Great thread with a lot of good advise from people who are in the same dilemma. I'm currently in Japan and wll use Skype when finished with this post. A couple of thing regarding internet calling. While "free" (computer to computer) or "cheap" (computer to phone), you do need high speed internet access to make this work. Overseas hotel internet costs will vary from hotel to hotel from free (I hope) to outrages. If you can expense the internet to your company than this will work great, otherwise this will probably nor be cost effect to you (unless you need internet for other reason and can justify the expense). Another idea in the same vain, is to use the computer available at your hotel (crew room free or pay per min in the bus center) and use Skype on that machine. You will need to bring a headset (as you would if your doing from your own computer). Down load Skype on the hotel computer if it isn't already there.
The good part of this approach is you don't carry a 15lb brick around the world with you, just the headset.