[CrazyFoo]

So I have a Blackberry Storm on the Telus network here in Canada and they told me I can use this phone anywhere in the world as it's a 'world phone'.

My question is:
How?

Do I need to do anything special to make it work overseas?

I'm going to Frankfurt & Dubai in March.
When I'm at the airport in Frankfurt, can I just dial my home number in Toronto and call her up? Do I dial extra digits?

What about when I'm in Dubai?
Do I just call my house in Toronto? 1-416-580-****

Or say we are cruising the Caribbean and we spend a day cruising around St. Maarten, can I just power up the Storm and call my house-sitter back in Toronto?

I'm new to being a world traveler and I realize for most of you business guys this is old hat, but for me it's brand new and I need to figure this out.

Your help is very much appreciated.
C

[Dubdub]

International rates are very high. Might want to talk to the carrier and see what they say. You could also unlock the device and buy a local SIM card for phone service only,

Do a search and see what you find.

As for dialing your home, you will probably need to dial the country code before you dial the number.

[Cruisin1966]

No need to unlock the Telus Storm. Buy a local SIM card in Europe, etc. pop it into the Storm, switch over to GSM only and you'll be good to go. This will also work for the US carriers.

Only necessary to unlock the Storm if you want to use it on Rogers/Fido

[CrazyFoo]

Thanks!

[XelhaBB]

CrazyFoo, I have experience traveling to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The most economical route is to buy a GSM phone and purchase a SIM card for it in the country you visit. This method costs far less, especially for sending international SMS and MMS messages.

Don't buy anything expensive either. Buy a reliable middle priced unit. I had two units seized by both Russian and Middle Eastern authorities after taking photos in sensitive areas.

[Cruisin1966]

Originally Posted by XelhaBB

CrazyFoo, I have experience traveling to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The most economical route is to buy a GSM phone and purchase a SIM card for it in the country you visit. This method costs far less, especially for sending international SMS and MMS messages.

Don't buy anything expensive either. Buy a reliable middle priced unit. I had two units seized by both Russian and Middle Eastern authorities after taking photos in sensitive areas.

If the Storm can handle the appropriate GSM bands (which it does), why would you need to purchase another handset???? Are you worried you may have the Storm confiscated?

[crisambo]

Originally Posted by CrazyFoo

So I have a Blackberry Storm on the Telus network here in Canada and they told me I can use this phone anywhere in the world as it's a 'world phone'. . .

Do I need to do anything special to make it work overseas?

I'm going to Frankfurt & Dubai in March.
When I'm at the airport in Frankfurt, can I just dial my home number in Toronto and call her up? Do I dial extra digits?

What about when I'm in Dubai?
Do I just call my house in Toronto? 1-416-580-****

C

Originally Posted by Dubdub

International rates are very high. Might want to talk to the carrier and see what they say. You could also unlock the device and buy a local SIM card for phone service only,

As for dialing your home, you will probably need to dial the country code before you dial the number.

OP's concern is how to dial back home from anywhere OP may be. . . Regardless of the rates, the number to dial is +1-416-580-**** . . . the plus sign (+) is important for international dialing.

[XelhaBB]

Cruisin1966,

Yes, I would be afraid my Storm might be confiscated. Not only for so-called violations but also simply because an agent in one of those countries wanted my Storm to sell on the black market.

Additionally, it is much cheaper to utilize indigenous services. Most other countries don't hammer you with higher rates to make international calls and send SMS - MMS message traffic. In the Middle East international rates can be dirt cheap, especially if you have a local friend get you a calling card.

You can also buy the phone over the internet before you travel and not get charged at a higher tourist rate when in-country.

[Cruisin1966]

Oh believe me, I completely understand about using SIMs from the local areas, I just wouldn't have thought about someone from over there taking my Storm.

[XelhaBB]

Cruisin1966, I had a phone seized in Russia when I took a photo of my research partner by a train station. Apparently there was some sort of government building in the background. Honestly, I think the guy heard us rattling off in English and has issues with the U.S. On another occasion when I transfered my phone from my pocket to a bag, a Middle Eastern customs official seized it because he thought I was snapping shots in the sterile area.

I would NEVER take my Storm overseas unless I was traveling to the more developed areas of western Europe and Asia.