I am seeking some advice from those more technically capable than me on the best phone and internet methods for international roaming.
A family member and I are going to Europe (mainly France with few days UK and Netherlands) for a month in May. I usually divert all calls to voicemail, replace sims with local ones (so we can keep track of each other) and rely on internet in hotels or cafes for email. But this means it can sometimes be a few days between picking up sms, voicemail and emails.
This time we are leaving an elderly relative with some health problems here so I want to agree with family members on the best way to contact us quickly, to exchange information by email, and also to allow if necessary for long conversations without running up exorbitant bills.
Coincidentally my mobile provider (Optus) contacted me yesterday offering new phones if we signed up early for another 24 months. Their suggestion was that I got a blackberry ($25 per month extra) so I could get emails delivered instantly. However presumably I will still need to take another phone with me for local sim. I also asked about GPS on phone when exploring European cities on foot. His suggestion was then Nokia 6210 as he said I couldn't get GPS on blackberry. He couldn't answer questions re cost of maps, voice guided navigation, or really of anything other than plan costs.
I am taking my laptop with me but don't know if there is any point in taking my Optus mobile broadband. I have no idea of the costs of roaming with it. I use Skype but that is dependent on an getting internet connection. Could I use my mobile phone and local prepaid sim in France for connecting laptop to internet?
About 10 days will be hotels like Hilton etc so will have internet access (at a cost) but the rest will be in traveling in rural France or Netherlands or in an apartment in Paris.
Summary of needs:
1. cheapest way to make calls between two mobiles while in same country in Europe
2. best way to get immediate access to email while in Europe
2. cheapest way to use laptop for internet in Europe
4. Possibility of using phone for internet access for laptop.
5. Pros and cons of blackberry.
6. GPS navigation on phone
Any advice/suggestions/links to info etc gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
A family member and I are going to Europe (mainly France with few days UK and Netherlands) for a month in May. I usually divert all calls to voicemail, replace sims with local ones (so we can keep track of each other) and rely on internet in hotels or cafes for email. But this means it can sometimes be a few days between picking up sms, voicemail and emails.
This time we are leaving an elderly relative with some health problems here so I want to agree with family members on the best way to contact us quickly, to exchange information by email, and also to allow if necessary for long conversations without running up exorbitant bills.
Coincidentally my mobile provider (Optus) contacted me yesterday offering new phones if we signed up early for another 24 months. Their suggestion was that I got a blackberry ($25 per month extra) so I could get emails delivered instantly. However presumably I will still need to take another phone with me for local sim. I also asked about GPS on phone when exploring European cities on foot. His suggestion was then Nokia 6210 as he said I couldn't get GPS on blackberry. He couldn't answer questions re cost of maps, voice guided navigation, or really of anything other than plan costs.
I am taking my laptop with me but don't know if there is any point in taking my Optus mobile broadband. I have no idea of the costs of roaming with it. I use Skype but that is dependent on an getting internet connection. Could I use my mobile phone and local prepaid sim in France for connecting laptop to internet?
About 10 days will be hotels like Hilton etc so will have internet access (at a cost) but the rest will be in traveling in rural France or Netherlands or in an apartment in Paris.
Summary of needs:
1. cheapest way to make calls between two mobiles while in same country in Europe
2. best way to get immediate access to email while in Europe
2. cheapest way to use laptop for internet in Europe
4. Possibility of using phone for internet access for laptop.
5. Pros and cons of blackberry.
6. GPS navigation on phone
Any advice/suggestions/links to info etc gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
