04-21-2011, 04:25 AM
I don't think the iPhone 3gs can do 3G data in Europe, so it will probably be limited to 2G speeds for cellular data. While I'd follow josntme's advice and check with AT&T on roaming plans, my guess is it will be expensive. (Without an international roaming plan it will be ridiculously expensive.)
If he/she wants to keep their US number, my advice is to just use WiFi for data. International data roaming is off by default - you have to request it be turned on with AT&T. Check with AT&T about voice plans, but it will still likely be expensive (think $1.50/minute even with a plan). Also, check on text plans, as international texts are probably $0.50 each, incoming or outgoing.
One option is to put Skype on the phone, put the phone into Airplane mode (which turns off all the radios) then turn WiFi back on. This disables the mobile phone so you can't make or receive regular calls or texts, or get data over the mobile network. But when you have WiFi access you can make and receive Skype calls. They need to sign up for Skype Out to be able to make calls to phones. I think there is even an option to get a phone number with Skype. Skype provides a very cheap way to make calls to and from the US when abroad.
Lots of hotels in Europe offer free WiFi, and there are many other hotspots. In addition, if they have AT&T DSL internet they can use a bunch of paid hotspots courtesy of AT&T's purchase of Waypoint. (I don't think AT&T includes this with the iPhone subscription, but it does with DSL). There are similar services like Boingo which offer paid WiFi coverage.
If using the phone, or having people from the US be able to call them, anytime is important, I'd recommend getting a separate quad-band phone and then getting a local pre-paid SIM card when they get to Brussels. They need to make sure they have an unlocked phone so it can use any carrier's SIM, and that it is quad-band so it can handle both frequencies used in Europe (as well as the two US frequencies).
As mentioned above, if you get the iPhone unlocked you should be able to use it with another SIM card, but check data rates before using it for data. But if that's not practical, having a second phone is a workable solution.
Good luck.
- Winston
If he/she wants to keep their US number, my advice is to just use WiFi for data. International data roaming is off by default - you have to request it be turned on with AT&T. Check with AT&T about voice plans, but it will still likely be expensive (think $1.50/minute even with a plan). Also, check on text plans, as international texts are probably $0.50 each, incoming or outgoing.
One option is to put Skype on the phone, put the phone into Airplane mode (which turns off all the radios) then turn WiFi back on. This disables the mobile phone so you can't make or receive regular calls or texts, or get data over the mobile network. But when you have WiFi access you can make and receive Skype calls. They need to sign up for Skype Out to be able to make calls to phones. I think there is even an option to get a phone number with Skype. Skype provides a very cheap way to make calls to and from the US when abroad.
Lots of hotels in Europe offer free WiFi, and there are many other hotspots. In addition, if they have AT&T DSL internet they can use a bunch of paid hotspots courtesy of AT&T's purchase of Waypoint. (I don't think AT&T includes this with the iPhone subscription, but it does with DSL). There are similar services like Boingo which offer paid WiFi coverage.
If using the phone, or having people from the US be able to call them, anytime is important, I'd recommend getting a separate quad-band phone and then getting a local pre-paid SIM card when they get to Brussels. They need to make sure they have an unlocked phone so it can use any carrier's SIM, and that it is quad-band so it can handle both frequencies used in Europe (as well as the two US frequencies).
As mentioned above, if you get the iPhone unlocked you should be able to use it with another SIM card, but check data rates before using it for data. But if that's not practical, having a second phone is a workable solution.
Good luck.
- Winston