
See if there was a “plan” available so that I could use my phone as I cruised through France. I had a riverboat cruise scheduled for April 4 thru 12, 2015, and went by the local Verizon store to Setting up your phone to avoid a billing “surprise”ĪT&T vs Verizon: A comparison of international plans
SKYPE FOR IPHONE VS SKYPE WIFI ANDROID
Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry Customers Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke Our Guide to using an American iPhone in Europe Read all about this in our guide to buying a SIM card in Europe.

Buying a SIM card from a European carrier is a very cost-effective way to use your phone abroad, although it requires an unlocked phone (most Verizon smartphones are unlocked, but you should check) and will mean that your phone number will change (unless you bring along another phone specifically for use with the SIM card). Instead of buying a special international plan for your phone, you could also buy a SIM card in Europe (a small electronic card that’s inserted into your phone that controls your phone number). Scrap all this… and buy a SIM card in Europe Otherwise you could be paying a hefty price for services you aren’t using. The daily plan should only activate when you use your phone in Europe, but check for any surprise charges upon your return home. The best bet is to use the trip planner service on Verizon’s website for exact rates, plans and availability.Īlso, remember to cancel the monthly international plan as soon as you return. I know, it’s not great (you can’t really text or make calls, except on Skype), but it’s something. The best bet is to put the phone on “airplane mode” and turn off data roaming just in case. However, using Wi-Fi networks will still work. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who can’t use your Verizon smartphone in Europe, we feel your pain. Call first to make sure your account has been cleared for international use. Don’t just head to Europe assuming that you’ll “pay as you go”. Note: Even if your phone is technically “global-ready”, you’ll still need to call Verizon before you leave to make sure that it’s been activated for international dialing. To determine whether or not your phone will work, answer these questions on Verizon’s trip planner website. If your phone is built with global-friendly technology (for example, 4G LTE), it will be able to work, once it’s activated. Some older phones (specifically those that are “CDMA only”) are not “global ready” and therefore will not work on Europe’s network. Prices and plans above, as of OctoWill your phone work in Europe?īefore leaving home, you should contact Verizon to make sure that your phone is able to work abroad.Check out this page on Verizon’s website for more information on these plans.


/WhatsApp-vs-Skype-587752c00d9c4cf7ad1cd95cb1961b8e.jpg)
SKYPE FOR IPHONE VS SKYPE WIFI SERIES
Note: This article is part of a series on Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke.
