Disposable International Roaming Mobile

Dimey

Does anyone know if you can buy a disposable (triband?) mobile phone with international roaming ?

I just want a cheap mobile to take to South America for a month as a precaution should I need to be contacted or phone home in an emergency.

I want something that wont matter if it gets stolen.

My regular mobile is an old basic monthly SIMM, not 3G and the battery doesn't last long so I cant use that.

I tried Car Phone Warehouse and they can't help.

Thanks.

JJ55

Try the search tool on GSM Arena - it's excellent. I can't post a link but its GSM Arena dot com and click search on the left column.

You can pick the bands relevant to you (a little research on Google will tell you what bands SA use)

19lottie82

I wouldn't use your own monthly SIM, calls will be extortionate (to make AND receive) and if it's stolen and the thief decides to call all his mates, you will be screwed.

Buy a PAYG sim when you get there and use it text your UK contacts with your temp number. Pop your original sim in it every now and again to check for messages.

Dimey

Thanks JJ55. Tried GSM Arena. No luck. But there are lots of ad links so...

I'll continue searching. Currently looks like I might be able to get disposable or triband but not both.

I'm guessing I'll only need international roaming if I want to go online - eg e-mail - right?

Dimey

19lottie82 wrote: »

I wouldn't use your own monthly SIM, calls will be extortionate (to make AND receive) and if it's stolen and the thief decides to call all his mates, you will be screwed.

Buy a PAYG sim when you get there and use it text your UK contacts with your temp number. Pop your original sim in it every now and again to check for messages.

OK - that sounds like it would work as my old phone is unlocked. I guess you can just go into a shop in Rio and buy a PAYG Sim?

Sorry I sound dumb. I've always bought Sims online here in the UK. I just want to be prepared and not do anything wrong.

Would anyone know - If I buy a PAYG SIMM in Brazil, could it also be used in Argentina and Chile?

Dimey

Googling has led me to this company: -
http://www.rangeroamer.com/how-it-works/how-it-works.aspx

Looks like my Samsung SGH-S300 will be able to take a Rangerover simm but its an American company.

If anyone knows of a company in the UK that provides a similar service, please let me know.

Thanks

grumbler

The Coverage tool at gsmarena says that 2g frequencies used in Brazil are 850, 900, 1800 and 1900. As UK phones have 900 and 1800 they are likely to work in Brazil.

omio .com have 'Tri band' filter in 'Features' tab. It shows Nokia 100 for a tenner, but I think it's a mistake that it's tri-band. So is Samsung E1150 for £20.

Im_just_careful

I would buy a cheap phone from Carphone Warehouse (very likely to be unlocked) and a Vodafone PAYG SIM.


If you got a cheap smartphone (Android, unless the budget stretches to a Nokia 520) you could even take advantage of any WiFi you encounter on your travels.


Vodafone have some of the better (or least bad) roaming deals for PAYG.


The local SIM is a good suggestion as well.