Traveling aboard: what options do I have?

carrera.owner · 09-01-2008, 07:25 PM

I will be leaving on a 6-week scientific field campaign to Arica (Chile) in mid-October and would like to take my iphone (2G): email, Apps and (ideally) phone usage. However, if I did this I'd want to be sure that upon my arrival back to the States that I didn't have a whopping bill from AT&T sitting in my mailbox.

One potential option that I've seen in our forum is that one can use Skype with their iPhone (http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum...ype-35911.html) and that may probably be good enough. (btw, has anybody tried this yet?) Anyway, before I make any decisions, I'd thought I'd poll the collective wisdom here to see if there are other options.

TIA

Ramesh · 09-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Maybe unlock your phone and get a prepaid sim?

coasts · 09-02-2008, 08:46 PM

ATT has support in Chile. You can purchase an International Data Plan for quick email checking, but i'd suggest using hotel WIFI for surfing or downloading mass emails in the mornings.
admittedly, i didnt look at the link concerning skype, but i'm not sure how that'd work. you still need a data connection for skype, which is usually what racks up the charges while overseas. sorry if you are aware of this. travel safe

Ramesh · 09-02-2008, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by coasts

ATT has support in Chile. You can purchase an International Data Plan for quick email checking, but i'd suggest using hotel WIFI for surfing or downloading mass emails in the mornings.
admittedly, i didnt look at the link concerning skype, but i'm not sure how that'd work. you still need a data connection for skype, which is usually what racks up the charges while overseas. sorry if you are aware of this. travel safe

Would that be cheaper than a prepaid? I have no idea, I haven't traveled internationally in a while, but from what I've read, people have unlocked for the sole purpose of being able to buy a cheaper prepaid plan and popping in the sim...

carrera.owner · 09-02-2008, 09:02 PM

Oooo....didn't think about the international support of ATT. That might just do the trick along with most surfing/emailing done using the hotel's wifi. yeah...I like this idea...Thx Coasts!

coasts · 09-02-2008, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Ramesh

Would that be cheaper than a prepaid? I have no idea, I haven't traveled internationally in a while, but from what I've read, people have unlocked for the sole purpose of being able to buy a cheaper prepaid plan and popping in the sim...

im really not sure which would be cheaper. ATT would be easier and I like easy.

coasts · 09-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by carrera.owner

Oooo....didn't think about the international support of ATT. That might just do the trick along with most surfing/emailing done using the hotel's wifi. yeah...I like this idea...Thx Coasts!

no trouble. New Yorkers helping New Yorkers. this is what we do.

Ramesh · 09-02-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by coasts

im really not sure which would be cheaper. ATT would be easier and I like easy.

I agree.

[insert joke here]

coasts · 09-02-2008, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ramesh

I agree.

[insert joke here]

Ramesh likes 'em easy and doesn't mind paying for it.

carrera.owner · 09-02-2008, 10:08 PM

Just found this link: http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/08/2...al-data-plans/ I'll do some homework on this a report back.

Yeah, New Yorkers Helping New Yorkers!