So we’re going to be in Italy for two weeks at the end of May. And, being the tech geek I am, I’ve been worried about …
… my phone.
(I’ve also been pondering e-readers a bit. But that’s another post.)
When I shifted from my old company Blackberry to my new HTC Incredible, I also shifted from AT&T to Verizon … and from GSM to CDMA. Those are different communication protocol (think of it as AM vs FM). There are plenty of people who will debate between the two of them (CDMA is generally thought to be a bit better), but the key issue is that, so far as Europe is concerned (Italy in particular), GSM is it.
In other words, my phone … and Margie’s identical phone … won’t be doing much while we’ve Over There.
This is a bit worrisome — I need to stay in touch with the office (or, rather, the office needs to be able to get hold of me). More importantly, while there, it will likely be important to be able to call within the group — we’re a crew of 8-12 at various times, may be in different places, etc. Phone (or even text) comms will be important.
Now, the simplest thing to do is simply plan on either renting a phone while there, or grabbing a disposable phone at the airport. That would take care of the basics, but …
Dagnabbit, I’ve grown to love my Android smartphone. And I’m looking at all the things that would be so handy over there — Google translation services, maps, Wikipedia, all that jazz.
So how to get a smartphone over there?
I chatted with the Verizon folk about breaking my existing contract in order to replace my Incredible with one of their GSM-based phones (Droid 2 Global and the Droid Pro). Massive hundreds of dollars ensue.
Their “best” suggestion was to buy a third phone under our current contract (e.g., a Droid 2 Global, my choice between the two of them) so that I get the discount price ($199), then transfer my current number to that, relegating my current phone to a perpetual (or couple of year) $10/mo service contract.
Then buy the Verizon Occasional Traveller plan for a month, pay out the nose for voice and data service, and …
Well, let’s see if there’s another option.
It’s worth noting that, while my cellular voice/data services (phone calls, SMS, 3G) won’t be working, GPS and WiFi will still work. Which means I could do mapping (except maps can’t be pulled down), and if I’m at a WiFi hotspot (Internet cafes, hotels, etc.), I can get to data.
WiFi …
What about a MiFi setup? Basically a portable WiFi hotspot, with a SIM plugged in for the local phone systems. And it so happens they can be rented for the country for a not-unreasonable (vs remote data plans and buying another phone) cost. (For reference: MiFi rental for Italy. More MiFi info. More MiFi info.)
So that’s what I’m looking at at this point. As far as voice services go, I could do something with Skype, I guess (if I have data), or I could just go ahead and grab a cheap, disposable phone when we arrive.
Am I overlooking any blindingly obvious answers here?
Any other thoughts?