At 08 Dec 2006 10:55:44 -0800 Joel Kolstad wrote:

> > "Both T-Mobile and Cingular had an advantage not available for
> > Verizon and Sprint users: their GSM-based phones can usually be
> > used in many non-U.S. countries, CR observed."
>
> "Usually" is probably rather overstated: Unless someone specifically
> purchased an unlocked phone from their U.S.-based GSM carrier, I'd
> say the odds of the average person having such a phone is perhaps...
> 1 in 10?


Others have pointed out it's pretty easy to get a phone unlocked by
Cingular or T-Mo, but forgetting that, an unlocked phone is NOT required
for international roaming- both Cingular and T-Mobile have roaming
agreements with other GSM carriers worldwide. The rates are certainly
high vs. using prepaid SIMs abroad, but they require no hassles on the
users part- dial the customer's US cellular number and it rings wherever
(albeit for $1-5/minute depending on location!)




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