Cell Phone Anywhere on Planet

Andy, For a true hobo cell solution try installing skype software on a handheld pocket PC device with 802.11 connectivity capability. Then, whenever you have wireless internet access, you can make and receive calls from this handheld device. Skype also has voice mail -- so people will always be able to leave you a message at a certain number. You can call other skype users for free. YOu can call any landline/cellphone in the world for 1.7 euro cents per minute. YOu can access the same account on your laptop, but the handheld is easier to carry around. YOu will also be able to surf the web on the handheld and email, etc., so it is easier than carrying the laptop to certain places. And now that wireless internet is becoming more common in hostels, etc., you will have connectivity a lot of the time -- no sim cards, no country-specific issues, etc. to worry about.

Andy, For a true hobo cell solution try installing skype software on a handheld pocket PC device with 802.11 connectivity capability. Then, whenever you have wireless access, you can make and receive calls from this handheld device. Skype also has voice mail -- so people will always be able to leave you a message at a certain number. You can call other skype users for free. YOu can call any landline/cellphone in the world for 1.7 euro cents per minute. YOu can access the same account on your laptop, but the handheld is easier to carry around. YOu will also be able to surf the web on the handheld and email, etc., so it is easier than carrying the laptop to places. And now that wireless internet is becoming more common in hostels, etc., you will have connectivity a lot of the time -- no sim cards, no country-specific issues, etc. to worry about. Travis

For truly global solution you should get a phone that has WCDMA/EDGE/all the GSMs. So far the Nokia 6630 is that. If you want to go to China and Korea you need a phone that has CDMA and EDGE. A brand new one costs 14400 pesos. In Greenhills you can get it cheaper. I dont recommend the skype route because you need to be connected to the net, and in the places where you plan to go you can never really be sure that you have internet.

As for roaming, I'm a world traveler myself so I can tell you when something can work. Globe has the widest roaming coverage, but you have to inform them ahead of time if you plan to go to Korea Japan and some other mid-east countries because they don't have dual systems. Same for Smart and Sun Cellular. If you plan on keeping you prepaid account, you need to give them a deposit of about 2000 pesos for the cost of your roaming. The reverse is the case for China, you actually need to give a deposit for roaming when you are on a line package. Their logic is you can't roam if you don't have enough credit on your prepaid anyway.

i do not think WCDMA is same as CDMA. WCDMA is what they call as "3G". CDMA is not a 3G thou.

To the author, I am not sure which country you are in. You can get a razr from ebay for low cost. If you are in United States, you can get a razr prepaid package.

EDGE is just a data service. There has no voice service using EDGE at all.