Using VZ GN overseas

[val88]

Hello,

Searched through the forum but not quite clear on this. I am traveling to Europe in a few months. Would very much like to have data on my Verizon GN while I'm there. Don't care about voice calls. I just want the data.

Verizon is more than happy to let me roam internationally. But it will cost me $25/100meg.

I also found cellhire.com. They offer mifi rentals for $60/month with a 1 gig limit. So far thats my best option though some reviews seem to allude that their service wasn't very good (slow or no connection at all and no refunds etc.)

I'm wondering if its possible for me to buy a local sim card when I'm in europe with prepaid data. And pop that into my GN. Has anyone tried?

 

[CharlzO]

Different network technologies, doesn't really work just tossing a SIM like that. You can use Wi-Fi spots of course when you're there, but as for having data while there, might be better off looking for a prepaid option or something while you're there, or as you've found, a hotspot to take along. I don't know what options are available once you get over there, as I've never been, perhaps someone has a better idea of what can be had.

 

[jhawkkw]

CharlzO is correct. There is no way to make a CDMA exclusive phone work on GSM frequencies. More modern Verizon phones are now coming with GSM frequency compatibility, but the Gnex is not one of them. Best bet is either use wifi only, or find some cheaper GSM phone and pop in a prepaid sim.

 

[bob52r]

your phone's cousin is a great travel phone. it is made to work everywhere in the world both on voice and data with a locale sim prepaid inserted. it has all the frequencies used anywhere in the world: quad band on voice, edge[2g], 3g and hpsi....if you travel internationally this is a great phone as is the nexus4. the i9150 on ebay is about $225 to $250 used from a reliable seller.

i travel overseas and have verizon in the usa. i have a second travel phone. up unti recently i owned 2 motorola v197 quad band for travel over seas. with a solid 3g phone that works everywhere, traveling is enhanced: google maps, google translation, skype. if you hide your foreign ip address with an app like hideman, you can stream pandora while you are out and about.

if you travel regularly, a quad band for 3g is a worthwhile enhancement. some of the pre=paid are not expensive for data, but other are very expensive. you need to do some research and ask questions on trravel website or good to the locale discount prepaid services whereever you are traveling for intel.

eg i am going to buenos aires--3 main cell carrier. one has prepaid 3g which generally downloads at 500kbts- 1meg meg. the costs is about 15 cents a day on prepaid plan for unlimited which means.5 megs if you use locale curency at black market exchange rates.