Mobile advice needed please...

michmix

Any mobile phone experts out there?

I'm going to work abroad in Japan and want a mobile that will work while I'm there - I also want to keep my current number...not sure what phones to look at?

Also, do I have to get a phone with 3G capability?

I would really like to stay on my current network (O2) - although I know that technically I will be "roaming"...anyone have any ideas which handsets I should look out for?

Any help would be appreciated!

asperger

buy a phone with quad band and it will work anywhere in the world.
problem being if you plan to use a service provider from the uk while out there your bills will be high due to roming charges

michmix

OK, thanks I will look at quad band phones - do you know any good ones?

Also, I was planning just to stay on PAYG and will rarely use the phone, just for the odd text etc...I just want to be contactable on my current number and want to be able to keep the number active...I don't like the idea of leaving the phone in the UK for someone to top-up and make a call from every now and again to keep it active, as customer services advised me...

Microstar_2

I have spent time in Japan and you will need 3G.

In Japan its very difficult for a non-resident to buy PAYG phones (if not impossible). There are companies that rent out phones to foreigners.
If you want to keep your UK number and 'roam' in Japan (assuming you have a 3G phone) it will work out very expensive.
You could buy an international roaming SIM like from ekit and put it in a 3G phone. I use the ekit 'Home and Roam' SIM and its not too dear. I receive calls free and the SIM has an Isle of Man number which is not too dear to dail from a UK landline.

michmix

^^Thanks, that's really helpful info.

What I think I might do is get a 3G phone and an International Roaming SIM like you say and then just use my UK SIM every now and then to keep it active (and still be able to check for messages) - does that sound like it could work?