The wife is heading to South Korea

[chshrkt]

So, my wife and her best friend are heading to South Korea in April for 10 days.

When we went to London and Paris with our daughter a couple years ago, Verizon sent us a couple bare-bones phones for free to use while we were there. All we paid for was airtime and texting. It was a bit expensive, but worth it for the sense of security (we did not have our Inc2's at that time of course).

Should we call Verizon and get the sim card enabled, have her try to get a pre-paid card when she gets to Seoul, or just get the free phone from VZW and not worry about it.

She is not the most tech savvy person, so getting the pre-paid sim might be an issue unless the place she buys it from installs it for her... not sure I feel comfortable with that.

While she is there, she will definitely want to text me, call me, and probably send pictures, which will be pretty pricey using VZWs built-in sim card. Do you think it is worth it to get a sim while she is there, or just activate the VZW sim?

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[RealDogBoy]

I think it's smart to start shopping around well in advance of her departure date. I can't offer any specific advise other than to say that just letting Verizon lead you by the nose will probably not get you a good deal.

Here's my question: Isn't it possible to use the Dinc2's GSM capability (I know you can turn it on via one of the menus) while not being stuck dealing with Verizon's "partner" in South Korea? This is so you don't have to switch the sim card (which I think can have an adverse effect on your contract status, if you bought the phone on contract.)

 

[NotJustAPhone]

South Korea uses CDMA networks too. Roaming in South Korea with your Verizon phone is $1.99/minute.

Calling From South Korea

 

[chshrkt]

Wow, thanks Notjustaphone!
I feel like a n00b now for not checking VZW's website first. I just assumed that I would have to activate the sim card.
If I read that page correctly, she just needs to dial *228 when she lands in Seoul.

[edit]I did NOT read that page correctly, she dials *228 just before she gets on the plane to Seoul, and she does not have to do anything when she gets there.[/edit]

Cheers!

 

[NotJustAPhone]

Wow, thanks Notjustaphone!
I feel like a n00b now for not checking VZW's website first. I just assumed that I would have to activate the sim card.
If I read that page correctly, she just needs to dial *228 when she lands in Seoul.

Cheers!

Glad I could help. It would be a good idea to deal *228 before she leaves to get the most current roaming list on the phone. It would also be a good idea to call Verizon beforehand to make sure the account has international calling activated on the line. Also suggest making sure that data service is turned off on her device as international data charges are really expensive.

 

[jtruchon]

How about Wifi and Skype. You can also check with Vz and see how much their global data plan is..then she can use skype even when there isn't Wifi.


JT

 

[NotJustAPhone]

How about Wifi and Skype. You can also check with Vz and see how much their global data plan is..then she can use skype even when there isn't Wifi.


JT

Great suggestion. Using Skype on wifi to make calls and send instant messages is a great way to avoid paying international roaming rates.

 

[chshrkt]

Hmm,
Skype, Brilliant!
I will have to ask her if their hotel will have WiFi available, I can't imagine that it won't.

Not sure the MMS can send images over WiFi, I think you have to have data enabled. I snooped around in my phone and could not figure out how to do it (she said she wants to send me pictures when they are out and about).

 

[NotJustAPhone]

She can send pictures to you via Skype instant messaging when she has a wifi connection. Not as convenient as MMS but cheaper.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[Regulator]

Plus if she is on Wifi, you can just as easily send pics in an email and chat using gchat. That way you wont have to pay at all for Skype instant messaging.

Thats what I did whenever I had to go to Paris and Brussels.

 

[chshrkt]

Tons of great information on these forums, thanks for all your great suggestions!

 

[chshrkt]

Glad I could help. It would be a good idea to deal *228 before she leaves to get the most current roaming list on the phone. It would also be a good idea to call Verizon beforehand to make sure the account has international calling activated on the line. Also suggest making sure that data service is turned off on her device as international data charges are really expensive.

Okay, just got off phone with Vzw and they sent me an email with all the various charges.

Can I just say, roaming data charges are STUPID expensive!

I do want to make sure all data is turned off before she gets to Seoul, is it really as simple as:

Settings --> Wireless & Networks --> Mobile Networks --> Data Roaming --> Deny Data Roaming Access?

There is also a checkbox for 'Enable always-on mobile data' at the bottom of the last screen which I will uncheck.

Is it really that simple, or are there hidden menus to turn off ALL data access while she is in S Korea?

 

[lt thistle]

Another way you could do pictures is to use dropbox via wifi.

I would think that by taking those steps you will not by using any mobile data

Sent from my rooted and newted DInc2 using tapatalk