Cell phone

[sabrina]

I will be traveling to Russia soon and I was wondering if my cell phone will work there. I use T-Mobile. Do I need to call them up and activate something? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I just want to have a phone while I am there so I can call my family back in the states as I'm walking on the Palace Square!

[hobbitofny]

I use T-Mobile. They have very good coverage in Russia. I was on a train north of Moscow. It was out in the country side. My phone rang. It was my daughter calling.

You need to have your plan set to permit international use. Beware the calls are expensive. It is cheaper to purchase a phone and sim card in Russia for calling in Russia. The Russian cell phones can receive USA phone calls at no cost.

If you are staying in hotel with high speed internet and you bring a laptop. I would suggest bring a magicjack. You can then make and receive local calls in USA at no extra charge.

[sabrina]

Originally Posted by hobbitofny

I use T-Mobile. They have very good coverage in Russia. I was on a train north of Moscow. It was out in the country side. My phone rang. It was my daughter calling.

You need to have your plan set to permit international use. Beware the calls are expensive. It is cheaper to purchase a phone and sim card in Russia for calling in Russia. The Russian cell phones can receive USA phone calls at no cost.

If you are staying in hotel with high speed internet and you bring a laptop. I would suggest bring a magicjack. You can then make and receive local calls in USA at no extra charge.

That's great! I would rather not have to worry about getting a seem card. Since i am there for just few days it is not worth the effort. Quick question, what is a magic jack?

[hobbitofny]

MagicJack is an internet phone company. It uses a card put in a USB port to give you a USA landline phone number. It will work around the world. You can be in the USA and call any place in USA and Canada free. People who call you dial a USA number you selected. When you use it overseas, it work like you are still in USA. So you can be in Moscow and call any where in USA and Canada toll free. You also can get income calls free. You only pay for the internet connection and $20 a year for the service. As far as I know none of the other internet phone companies will do this.

[sabrina]

Originally Posted by hobbitofny

MagicJack is an internet phone company. It uses a card put in a USB port to give you a USA landline phone number. It will work around the world. You can be in the USA and call any place in USA and Canada free. People who call you dial a USA number you selected. When you use it overseas, it work like you are still in USA. So you can be in Moscow and call any where in USA and Canada toll free. You also can get income calls free. You only pay for the internet connection and $20 a year for the service. As far as I know none of the other internet phone companies will do this.

Interesting...I assume that you need an internet connection to be able to use this thing. Or do they give you a local number too to connect to the internet by dial up?

[sshirokov]

Here is a link to one company that offers cell phone rentals for your trip to any country, including Russia: http://neometry.com/

Of course you will pay more than if you just purchase a sim card upon arrival to Russia (they sell them at every airport, train station and every corner in small bright orange or red shops), but on the other hand you get the convenience of not having to worry about it. I personally always buy a local card, so please feel free to ask me any questions about it.

[Shooshkabob]

Cool! I'm also considering renting/getting an international cell phone.

Hey Sabrina, when (and what type of tour) are you going on? I'll be going this summer too!

[alicethomson]

Yes that's true.T-Mobile if very useful for you if you are going to visit Russia.I also have a good experience with it.I always connect me wherever I am.