Your Questions About International Sim Card Data Plan

Sandra asks…

Does Unlocked iPhone 3GS work on international 3G networks for surfing the internet ?

Hi, it is a simple question if someone has tried that. I have my iPhone unlocked and I am traveling to Europe for sometime. Can I use the phone with “Vodafone” SIM card to get internet access on Vodafone 3G network (of course after paying them whatever data plan rates, I am not asking free service). I mean is the iPhone generally compatible with other 3G (e.g. HSPA 2100) networks worldwide ? Thank You

Pete answers:

It should work provided, as you said, you pay for a data plan on that network. The iPhone is all CDMA which is what the EU uses for a phone. It should work over there no problem. You may have to do a sim unlock when you add that one. You might talk to an AT&T or Apple rep and ask them. They should be up front about anything you might need. But the phones are all the same hardware.

Joseph asks…

I want to use my first generation iPhone (Edge/Pre-3G) on my around the world trip…?

…Can I unlock the phone and use a Global SIM card?
Most importantly, I want to use email, SMS, and the phone, ( or I can use the SKYPE app for the phone calls). But google maps, would be a “nice to have”.

What features will not be able to me?

Do Global SIM or country specfic SIM services include data plans?

i’ve searched and searched the web, but I can’t find any information specific to first generation iphones. My At&t contract will be up in June.

( please only respond if you know about iPhone international services, or have experience with using an iphone abroad without the AT&T roaming plan.)

Pete answers:

You can indeed unlock your iPhone and use any SIM card you want to abroad!! My 2g iPhone is unlocked and I took it with me to Italy when I went 3 weeks ago. I used a Wind SIM card, which is an Italian one I picked up when I arrived there.

I was able to text and make calls no problems with that SIM card. It was a prepay one, so that was just the simple one. However, you can get a Telestial one that is for all over Europe at least that you can get data, SMS, phone service with. It really depends on the SIM you get. For me email wasn’t as important since I had my computer on me, so I opted for the cheaper option with the prepay.

That option will probably be cheaper than trying to do a Global Roaming plan with someone in the US…and it’s simple to get the SIM cards abroad.