[SMorganPhoto]

I'm looking to go to Germany next year and would like to take my BB with me. I have TMO and have heard/read mention of prepaid SIM cards for other countries. How would I be able to obtain that when the time comes?

-edit-

I hope this is in the right section

[NJBlackBerry]

The very first thing to do is to get it unlocked. T-Mobile will happily do it for you if you've been a customer of there for three months and are in good standing.

Second thing to note is that prepaid SIM cards will generally give you voice and SMS - but not data (Internet or E-Mail). You might be able to find a Deutsche Telecom prepaid SIM card with BB services, but it may not even exist.

[SMorganPhoto]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

The very first thing to do is to get it unlocked. T-Mobile will happily do it for you if you've been a customer of there for three months and are in good standing.

Second thing to note is that prepaid SIM cards will generally give you voice and SMS - but not data (Internet or E-Mail). You might be able to find a Deutsche Telecom prepaid SIM card with BB services, but it may not even exist.

Thanks NJ. So once I get it unlocked, I purchase a SIM from a retailer where I will be visting right? Or can I purchase one in the States for service over there?

[NJBlackBerry]

I would buy the SIM card there. Fairly easy to find when I've looked for them. I keep my US SIM card in the BB - I carry a second (unlocked) tri band GSM phone which I use with the local SIM card. I still pick up my e-mail on the BB and use that phone for business, but the local phone works great for calling in country.

[SMorganPhoto]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

I would buy the SIM card there. Fairly easy to find when I've looked for them. I keep my US SIM card in the BB - I carry a second (unlocked) tri band GSM phone which I use with the local SIM card. I still pick up my e-mail on the BB and use that phone for business, but the local phone works great for calling in country.

Thanks NJ!

[JeffAUV]

I know I'm digging up an older thread, but I didn't want to start a new one for one small, related question.

What do the prepaid card generally cost and can you dial internationally on them or will that just eat up all your minutes?

(okay, maybe I had 2 little questions)

[BlackBerryLinks]

Find a carrier in the country your visiting, and look/ask for prises. There is not a general prise

Regards,
Bob

[hardtoguess03]

Over the past year:

I bring my own GSM phone with me -- a cheapy in case I lose it. Then I'll pick up a SIM in the locality. It's hard to explain unless you have been there, but it's difficult to NOT find them. In eastern europe, you can find them in any rail/subway/liquor store. Anywhere else, pretty much any retailer who sells milk and newspapers has them.

Prices I remember over the last year or so. These are for calls back to the states:

Russia, Poland - around .15 minute. You have to pick up a "calling card" in addition to the sim and prepaid minutes to make this work. I have no idea why it's that cheap, but it is. Look for a Matrix Card or equivalent.

Portugal, Italy, Spain - varies, I've paid 1 - 3 euros per minute.

UK, Germany, France - Just roam, it's like a $1.50 / minute or something.

Hope this helps.

[rlevati]

can we buy those sim cards on ebay?