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If you have ever traveled internationally, like to another continent...

One day I would like to travel to France.
Of course I am in America.

Anyways, for cell phone service, how does that work? I searched a bit on the web, a bunch of confusing stuff.

It seems to me that one would have to buy a local SIM card and of course service (hopefully they have pre-pay in France.)

OR, have to buy a whole different phone and service in the destination country.

Would just using one's phone over wifi, and using an app like whatsapp for calls and messages be the most practical option?

What would the best option(s) be?
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During a recent two weeks in Europe I just relied on wifi, which lets you use WhatsApp, Messenger, etc., leaving the phone in airplane mode and not using any data or roaming charges.

During a month in India earlier this year I did get a SIM card but it was bloody complicated. There appeared to be many forms to fill out and steps to go through to get one legally. Fortunately a friend of friends there got me one "under the table".
Punches · 46-50, F
@ThePatientAnarchist I wonder why getting a different SIM was so complicated?
@Punches Indian bureaucracy!
Gibbon · 70-79, M
The biggest thing is whether the phone is CDMA or GSM. GSM is standard through out Europe. If your phone is on Verizon it's most likely CDMA and won't work over there even with a new simm

Edit: I just realized my phone is GSM yet on Verizon network 5G LTE. If your phone is LTE compatible it might be GSM
Punches · 46-50, F
@Gibbon Well I do not know what any of that means, but I shall look into that. 😄
CrazyMusicLover · 31-35
I know that people often use virtual SIM but unfortunately not every phone supports that. I know that my brother had some problem with it last year in Asia or the USA so he just bought a local SIM.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Long ago, long before cellphones. And by myself to Germany at 14. Long story.

There are cellphones with the ability to have duel SIM cards. It's how you reboot to whichever SIM card

And I have heard of such SIM cards for all of the EU.
Punches · 46-50, F
@DeWayfarer I think mine can hold just one.

I am guessing it is not as simple as pulling one card and installing the other then buying a month of service?

I do not remember the exact process but even to activate a phone domestically seemed like a huge hassle.

Not that this matters but my phone's area code is not even one that is used in my state.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@Punches I bit more complex with just one. You need to set up through the new carrier. Yet not really complex. There are things you need to have ready. Like your cellphones IMEI number and cellphone make and model numbers for the new carrier as well as the new SIM card number.

I can take a couple of hours to set up and be active.

I have had to switch SIM cards many times.
Celt50 · 51-55, M
When in usa i used to rely on wifi in hotels, bars snd shopping malls , but it requires you giving your email adress to sign in, and always found once home youd be inundated with scam emails, so im sure Europe is no different, simcards are widely available in france for phone data .
Punches · 46-50, F
@Celt50 I guess the thing to do would be to give the "junk" email address then?

One thing, I have logged into hotel wifi's here in the US but I do not remember it ever asking for any sort of contact info.
T-Mobile works in Europe.
There's free wifi in most towns, but it's often too slow for wifi calls. Cafes, hotels and coffee shops have faster wifi.
I'd still have to wait for the world to become foreigner friendly and open, again.
Strongtea · 22-25, M
I tend to just use Wi-Fi, but it can be a pain if you want to really explore (using maps etc) Your service provider may be able to give you coverage at an extra cost, you can call when you get there (using hotel wi-fi) and set it up(usually.)
Thatsright · 61-69, M
The kid at your provider store will tell you exactly what you need. That’s what I do.
Punches · 46-50, F
@Thatsright I kind of thought about that, unfortunately my provider is walmart. Good service and all but I am not sure how knowledgeable they would be. Maybe I underestimate the kids when it comes to tech.

I am not traveling anytime soon, just trying to figure out what all it would take.
NewWorldToronto · 51-55, M
Use your normal phone, just get a pay-as-you-go SIM card there when you arrive. Very cheap. Oh..also many phones have wi-fi calling that allows you to text and phone using your normal phone number...but just over wi-fi and not cell reception.
braveheart21 · 61-69, M
Apparently phones are no longer locked to a single network ( in the uk anyway) so a local sim should work.
Absolutely not, darling. I'm all about staying fabulous right here in the USA, darling
Elessar · 26-30, M
Visit Italy first, get an Italian sim (you get like 100GB of data/mo. for like €6), move anywhere else in Europe and you have like 10GB of free roaming 😜

Definitely enough for WhatsApping back home
exchrist · 31-35
Just internet cafes and fb messenger might be easier.
Or just ask your network provider for international roaming.
@Punches if you just need internet then you can live by wifis in hotels. But for calls , it is a bit tricky with some companies to buy a prepaid sim ( not all of them sell prepaid) but you can buy a SIM card ofc.
Punches · 46-50, F
@BloviatingBuffoon Ideally I would just need internet and then use whatsapp for calls BUT - not everyone uses that or other apps.

I guess if I do travel, I might just have to get intl roaming.
@BloviatingBuffoon You can do calls over WiFi.
Jenny1234 · 56-60, F
Buy an e-sim
HumanEarth · F
Use payphones or ask to borrow someone elses
mindless · M
check if your phone supports esims

 
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