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Questions tagged [cellphones]

Issues with taking your mobile phone with you, and buying a phone, SIM card, or cellular data plan in another country.

Mobile phone.

565 questions
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Does the European number for emergencies (112) really work in Germany?

One night of some months ago I realized there were some burglars in the apartment below mine. As an Italian living in Germany, I didn't know the number to call the police, but I knew that in all Europe there's a common number for emergencies, 112,…
Fabio says Reinstate Monica
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What are the best ways to avoid data roaming fees when travelling abroad?

I'm looking for data plans I can use while touring different countries within a region without having to worry about being eaten by roaming fees. If such plans exist at all, I suppose mostly big telecommunication providers like Vodafone or T-Mobile…
Jan
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Why does my phone's GPS not work in China?

I am trying to use Google Maps in China. I know that Google is blocked, which is why I downloaded the map of Beijing offline. However, when I open the app my phone attempts to find GPS satellites but finds none. I know location works because my…
Matthew Herbst
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Long-life SIM cards in Europe

I regularly travel to Europe (Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland). Every time that I arrive in a country, I buy a cheap prepaid SIM card. The problem is that all these cheap SIMs have a short inactive life, due to their pay-as-you-go nature. For…
Googlebot
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9 answers

Risk of not turning Airplane Mode on, on a mobile device while in the air?

When travelling from the UK-Portugal, my travel partner and I were both told the usual message: “Turn airplane mode on for your mobile devices” My partner accidentally only turned their phone onto Do Not Disturb, when approaching to land they…
Daniil
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I suspect my cellular carrier may be breaking the EU free roaming directive. What can I do about it?

My significant other and I both live in Sweden, and we have two different phone subscriptions from the same provider (Hallon). I have 25 GB monthly data, she has 100 GB. We have large plans because we do not have any other Internet connection at…
Fiksdal
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How do I call a 6-digit Australian phone number with a US-based mobile phone?

This may not exactly fit the context of this site, but I think it's worth a shot, and the answer may be useful within the context of the site. I am attempting to call the Australian phone number listed as 131542 on the Kia of Australia Contact Us…
KDecker
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2 answers

Why are satellite phones strictly banned in India?

Is it true, that using or travelling with satellite phone is strictly and unconditionally banned in India? And if yes, is there any explanation or official reason, why? I have found such information, when browsing various sources before my business…
trejder
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How well do foreign cell phones work in Japan?

What are the options for getting a smart phone up and running when travelling for a couple of weeks in Japan?
froderik
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32
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How to ensure two-factor availability when traveling?

It's been about 10 years since I've traveled out of the US. In that time, it's become more and more common for various services (including basic things like email) to (randomly or systematically) force you to verify yourself via a text…
BrenBarn
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Why does my phone enable camera shutter sounds whenever I insert an Indian SIM?

I travel a lot, and one of the places I visit frequently is India. As a result, I usually carry SIM cards from the places I spend the most time in. Whenever I insert an Indian SIM card into my phone, the phone camera starts playing a shutter sound…
crayarikar
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6 answers

Are there advantages to a dedicated GPS?

The GPS on in my phone is becoming indispensable lately! I find it much easier to follow the verbal on-time direction than following a map or even print-outs of directions obtained from Google Maps. Using offline maps, I have gotten around in…
Itai
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Are there data plans for travelers in the USA?

I intend to travel to the US for a month, and I would really like to use a lot of data traffic during the trip, for browsing, maps, Skype calls, etc. How can I do that? Should I buy a SIM? Do I have to order one in advance, or are data SIMs readily…
Oak
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How to call a number from another country while I'm in another country myself?

Here's the situtation: there's a team meeting coming, situated in the US. I'm from Brazil and wish to call a coworker from Pakistan arriving there. My number is +55... and his is +92... Is there any difference when calling his number on my cellphone…
Délisson Junio
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How can AT&T charge me to use WiFi while I'm abroad?

Knowing that AT&T is a global network, I was curious about what it would look like to use my phone internationally if they're my carrier. I came across their Passport Packages information, which states that if I want to use WiFi in another country…
Taylor Lopez
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