Renting Cell phone
Apr 7th 2005, 2:43 am
#1
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Renting Cell phone
I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
for 3 weeks.
Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
John
for 3 weeks.
Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
John
Apr 7th 2005, 5:19 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
In article <[email protected]>,
John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>for 3 weeks.
>Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
>or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Probably cheaper and easier to rent it in the US beforehand.
John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>for 3 weeks.
>Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
>or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Probably cheaper and easier to rent it in the US beforehand.
Apr 7th 2005, 5:34 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
John Scott [on Thu, 7 Apr 2005 10:43:18 -0400] wrote:
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty sure
that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40 euro,
including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
[1] For instance http://www.mindlogic.com/RENT_CTRY_italy_DTL.shtml
--
Low Countries By Bike - http://lowcountriesbybike.info
Riding on two wheels in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty sure
that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40 euro,
including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
[1] For instance http://www.mindlogic.com/RENT_CTRY_italy_DTL.shtml
--
Low Countries By Bike - http://lowcountriesbybike.info
Riding on two wheels in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
Apr 7th 2005, 7:30 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ...
> John Scott [on Thu, 7 Apr 2005 10:43:18 -0400] wrote:
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell
>> phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before
>> going
>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
> Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty
> sure
> that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
> phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40
> euro,
> including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
Yes I looked at some web sites too. I was hoping for someone who has
rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone.
John
news:[email protected] ...
> John Scott [on Thu, 7 Apr 2005 10:43:18 -0400] wrote:
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell
>> phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before
>> going
>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
> Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty
> sure
> that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
> phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40
> euro,
> including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
Yes I looked at some web sites too. I was hoping for someone who has
rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone.
John
Apr 7th 2005, 7:49 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
In article <[email protected]>,
John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected] e...
>> John Scott [on Thu, 7 Apr 2005 10:43:18 -0400] wrote:
>>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell
>>> phone
>>> for 3 weeks.
>>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before
>>> going
>>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>> Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty
>> sure
>> that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
>> phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40
>> euro,
>> including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
>Yes I looked at some web sites too. I was hoping for someone who has
>rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone.
A few years ago it was something of a hassle to get a cell
phone in many places without a local address so it made sense
to get it in your home country. Perhaps times have changed?
John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected] e...
>> John Scott [on Thu, 7 Apr 2005 10:43:18 -0400] wrote:
>>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell
>>> phone
>>> for 3 weeks.
>>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before
>>> going
>>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>> Reading several websites about cell phone rental [1], I'm pretty
>> sure
>> that the cheapest solution would be to buy a cheap simlocked prepaid
>> phone in one of the many Telecom shops (available from about 40
>> euro,
>> including 10-15 euro worth of talk time).
>Yes I looked at some web sites too. I was hoping for someone who has
>rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone.
A few years ago it was something of a hassle to get a cell
phone in many places without a local address so it made sense
to get it in your home country. Perhaps times have changed?
Apr 7th 2005, 7:50 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> John
Have you considered simply buying a cheap pre pay mobile over there?
Don't know about italy but here in uk some shops sell phones for £10
when bought with
£10 of credit. What's that in dollars? $30? Phone rental is not big
in Europe, you will find it difficult to find one.
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> John
Have you considered simply buying a cheap pre pay mobile over there?
Don't know about italy but here in uk some shops sell phones for £10
when bought with
£10 of credit. What's that in dollars? $30? Phone rental is not big
in Europe, you will find it difficult to find one.
Apr 7th 2005, 7:55 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> John
>
>
It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
overseas and have a good phone when you come home
news:[email protected]:
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> John
>
>
It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
overseas and have a good phone when you come home
Apr 7th 2005, 7:57 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
Neil [on 7 Apr 2005 12:50:50 -0700] wrote:
> Have you considered simply buying a cheap pre pay mobile over there?
Yup, that's what I suggested as well.
Then only reply the OP gave was "I was hoping for someone who has
rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone."
Guess some people just want to hear what they hope for.
--
Low Countries By Bike - http://lowcountriesbybike.info
Riding on two wheels in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
> Have you considered simply buying a cheap pre pay mobile over there?
Yup, that's what I suggested as well.
Then only reply the OP gave was "I was hoping for someone who has
rented overseas to respond. I assume you have not rented a phone."
Guess some people just want to hear what they hope for.
--
Low Countries By Bike - http://lowcountriesbybike.info
Riding on two wheels in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
Apr 7th 2005, 8:39 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
In article <[email protected]>,
jcoulter <[email protected]> wrote:
>"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
>overseas and have a good phone when you come home
That's another way to do it. Some companies, such as T-mobile, have
plans where your US cell phone will also work in Europe if you activate
it to do so. Or so they say ;-)
jcoulter <[email protected]> wrote:
>"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
>> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
>overseas and have a good phone when you come home
That's another way to do it. Some companies, such as T-mobile, have
plans where your US cell phone will also work in Europe if you activate
it to do so. Or so they say ;-)
Apr 7th 2005, 9:34 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Although not as convenient, in that you won't know your (Italian) number
until after buying the phone, the cheapest option is to buy a low-end
pre-pay phone.
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Although not as convenient, in that you won't know your (Italian) number
until after buying the phone, the cheapest option is to buy a low-end
pre-pay phone.
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Apr 7th 2005, 10:06 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
On 07 Apr 2005 20:39:29 GMT, [email protected] (Bill Moore)
wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>jcoulter <[email protected]> wrote:
>>It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
>>overseas and have a good phone when you come home
>That's another way to do it. Some companies, such as T-mobile, have
>plans where your US cell phone will also work in Europe if you activate
>it to do so. Or so they say ;-)
My carrier (Cingluar) advertises 1.29 usd/minute in Europe after
activation but just got an email promo from them quoting me .99 usd
with a 5.95 usd monthly access fee. Probably recently buying a quad
band GSM Motorola phone prompted that.
Yes.. I know that you can do it way cheaper with an unlocked phone and
local sim card, but this looks rather painless for short visits or
limited use.
Gordon
wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>jcoulter <[email protected]> wrote:
>>It makes more sense to get a GSM phone tri or quad band in the US use it
>>overseas and have a good phone when you come home
>That's another way to do it. Some companies, such as T-mobile, have
>plans where your US cell phone will also work in Europe if you activate
>it to do so. Or so they say ;-)
My carrier (Cingluar) advertises 1.29 usd/minute in Europe after
activation but just got an email promo from them quoting me .99 usd
with a 5.95 usd monthly access fee. Probably recently buying a quad
band GSM Motorola phone prompted that.
Yes.. I know that you can do it way cheaper with an unlocked phone and
local sim card, but this looks rather painless for short visits or
limited use.
Gordon
Apr 7th 2005, 11:19 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
On 2005-04-07 14:34:11 -0700, [email protected]
(chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn) said:
> John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going or
>> better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> Although not as convenient, in that you won't know your (Italian) number
> until after buying the phone, the cheapest option is to buy a low-end
> pre-pay phone.
I bought a tri-band gsm phone here in the US and a prepaid chip for
Italy at the same time. That way I knew my italian phone no. before
leaving. I discovered it worked well in Holland and Switzerland as well
.. not toooo expensive. In Italy all incoming calls were free. Easy to
recharge the chip at many news stands. bill
(chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn) said:
> John Scott <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
>> for 3 weeks.
>> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going or
>> better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
>
> Although not as convenient, in that you won't know your (Italian) number
> until after buying the phone, the cheapest option is to buy a low-end
> pre-pay phone.
I bought a tri-band gsm phone here in the US and a prepaid chip for
Italy at the same time. That way I knew my italian phone no. before
leaving. I discovered it worked well in Holland and Switzerland as well
.. not toooo expensive. In Italy all incoming calls were free. Easy to
recharge the chip at many news stands. bill
Apr 7th 2005, 12:30 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
It would be best to get your own GSM phone and buy a prepaid SIM when you
get there. You can buy a pretty good phone for a week's rental, for three
weeks' rental you can buy a super-deluxe phone.
Read the following:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info
http://nordicgroup.us/intlrate
http://www.prepaidgsm.net
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
news:[email protected]...
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
It would be best to get your own GSM phone and buy a prepaid SIM when you
get there. You can buy a pretty good phone for a week's rental, for three
weeks' rental you can buy a super-deluxe phone.
Read the following:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info
http://nordicgroup.us/intlrate
http://www.prepaidgsm.net
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
Apr 7th 2005, 12:33 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"Gordon Forbess" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My carrier (Cingluar) advertises 1.29 usd/minute in Europe after
> activation but just got an email promo from them quoting me .99 usd
> with a 5.95 usd monthly access fee. Probably recently buying a quad
> band GSM Motorola phone prompted that.
> Yes.. I know that you can do it way cheaper with an unlocked phone and
> local sim card, but this looks rather painless for short visits or
> limited use.
Much cheaper. Much, much cheaper. The $6/mo "access fee" rip-off would be
enough to run me off.
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
news:[email protected]...
> My carrier (Cingluar) advertises 1.29 usd/minute in Europe after
> activation but just got an email promo from them quoting me .99 usd
> with a 5.95 usd monthly access fee. Probably recently buying a quad
> band GSM Motorola phone prompted that.
> Yes.. I know that you can do it way cheaper with an unlocked phone and
> local sim card, but this looks rather painless for short visits or
> limited use.
Much cheaper. Much, much cheaper. The $6/mo "access fee" rip-off would be
enough to run me off.
--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
Apr 8th 2005, 2:55 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renting Cell phone
"John Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Depends on context, mainly on how you plan to use the
phone.
If mainly for calls within the country you spend your
vacation and for simply being reachable, best now
probably is to buy a lowest-priced pre-paid GSM phone.
They are sold now for less than 100 Euro, including
some credits for calls. Drawback: the phones are usually
SIM-locked for up to 24 month (can only be used by with
SIM-cards from the operator selling the phone) and the
real low-priced phones work only with 900/1800MHz
(no use in the US for example). Option: find someone
having a spare phone and buy a prepaid SIM-Card in the
country you spend your vacation. Over the years I have
bought 6 GSM-phones - all of them still work well enough
to be used and I keep two phones with prepaid SIM-cards
for friends from abroad on a visit.
The prepaid SIM-cards tend to be quite expensive when
used for calling abroad - so if you expect frequent
calls to the US from Italy, best probably is to combine
a GSM-phone with some calling-card from a US-provider.
Hans
> I will be traveling to Italy next month. I want to rent a cell phone
> for 3 weeks.
> Is it better (cheaper) to rent from a company in the US before going
> or better to rent at the airport (or car rental co) aftert I arive?
Depends on context, mainly on how you plan to use the
phone.
If mainly for calls within the country you spend your
vacation and for simply being reachable, best now
probably is to buy a lowest-priced pre-paid GSM phone.
They are sold now for less than 100 Euro, including
some credits for calls. Drawback: the phones are usually
SIM-locked for up to 24 month (can only be used by with
SIM-cards from the operator selling the phone) and the
real low-priced phones work only with 900/1800MHz
(no use in the US for example). Option: find someone
having a spare phone and buy a prepaid SIM-Card in the
country you spend your vacation. Over the years I have
bought 6 GSM-phones - all of them still work well enough
to be used and I keep two phones with prepaid SIM-cards
for friends from abroad on a visit.
The prepaid SIM-cards tend to be quite expensive when
used for calling abroad - so if you expect frequent
calls to the US from Italy, best probably is to combine
a GSM-phone with some calling-card from a US-provider.
Hans
