cell phones in foreign countries

[NewJeffCT]

My wife has to travel for business out of the country a few times over the next 2-3 months - Canada & Mexico primarily. She has her own personal cellphone (Cingular) and was told the company would reimburse her for any charges if she has to use her cellphone out of the country. I asked somebody about this, and they said it would be no problem to use the cellphone in other countries - you just have to pay the roaming charges. I had thought I had heard that it's often difficult to do that with personal cellphones.

Is it a matter of just paying the roaming charge, or is there more to it than that? Or, does it differ by cellphone and/or carrier (i.e., Sprint or Verizon instead?)

[NewWaveChick1981]

1. My mother used her Cingular phone in Scotland with no problem.

The company told her how to change frequencies once she got there, and it worked like a charm. When she called us, the connection was crystal clear and even better than when she calls me from a hundred miles away.

Tell her to make sure of any frequency change and how to do it. She should not have a problem. :)

[auntAgonist]

2. I use mine in Ontario Canada all the time .. Southwestern Ontario

(Toronto & West to Windsor) No problems at all. Roaming fees and long distance costs though if I call home to Michigan.

I have Alltel.

aA

[NewJeffCT]

4. Thanks

My wife is leaving for Toronto on Sunday, then has to drive about 2 hours northeast of Toronto after that.

[elehhhhna]

3. Have her email the concierges at her hotels. They'll let her know what

will & won't work and offer cheap alternatives if necessary.

[YankeyMCC]

5. Cingular should work in Canada

You're phone must also be compatible with the radio freqs used. I know Europe is different but I think Canada is on the same as US, not sure about Mexico.

[Kali]

6. My cell doesn't work when I cross to Mexico (well not far anyway)

Check with cingular. I have Altell. You can pick up a cheapo prepay down there prtty much anywhere...