Cell Phone service while travelling in Greece
Greece, among other things, is known for its beautiful islands and
crystal clear seas and historical importance. Great cellular service
usually does not rank high on expectations for Greece. Yet the quality
and coverage of cellular service is superior of what is to be found in
the US or Canada. Until recently however, to take advantage of this
service meant that you were paying a couple of dollars per minute for
your calls, making cellular service an option affordable to those with
Onassis like bank accounts. Fortunately, there are now alternatives
that are affordable to anyone, even the budget traveler trekking
through Europe from hostel to hostel – or even from campground to
campground.
Generally speaking, cellular coverage in Greece is exceptional. You
will find that even in small villages or remote coastal areas there is
usually cell phone coverage. Not only is the coverage exceptional, but
so is the quality. In Greece, as in most countries in the world, the
cell phone standard used is the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile
Communications). Unlike the United States, the vast majority of
overseas countries has adopted this system in order to provide
seamless cell phone service from country to country. The GSM standard
has been the standard of choice due to its high digital quality and
ability to add different platforms to it, such as GPRS (internet
connection) or Bluetooth (wireless data transmission). In fact, only
recently have cell phone service providers begun to seriously adopt
the GSM standard in the US. Does this mean that you can use your US or
Canadian cell phone overseas? Most likely, the answer is no. While the
majority of overseas providers use either the 900 and/or the 1800 Mhz
network for cellular communication, North American providers use the
1900 Mhz network. However, these providers who do happen to use the
GSM network also offer cellular phones that will work on all of the
networks. In fact, these phones, known as tri-band cell phones, are
becoming more and more prevalent. If your current cell phone does not
have this capability, you will need to either rent or purchase a
cellphone that will work on the overseas networks. Your current
cellular provider can give you what is known as a SIM card, which is
the brain of the phone, that you can easily slip into the GSM phone.
This way, you will be able to retain your current phone number in the
US or Canada even while on vacation in Greece. Bear in mind that you
will be paying high roaming fees so, while it may be convenient to be
able to keep your US or Canadian number, you will be paying these high
rates for the non-essential calls that you are likely to receive.
Roaming with your current provider is usually most suitable for the
business traveler who absolutely needs to be reachable at a particular
number – at any expense.
If you don't currently use a cell phone here, you can also rent one
either at the airport prior to your departure or once you land in
Greece. While both of these options are readily available, they are
definitely not the least expensive approach to having cell phone
communication whilst on the Greek islands. Cell phone rental companies
usually charge a rental fee for the handset, plus on average about $2
per minute for the airtime and usually there are minimum use
requirements. You will usually receive a UK phone number through a
cell phone rental company.
By far, the least expensive solution, yet also the less known, is to
purchase a prepaid Greece SIM card and to either rent or purchase a
GSM cell phone for the US and/or overseas (in other words, a cellphone
that uses 900/1800 Mhz at the very least or a tri-band - 900/1800/1900
Mhz if you would like to use the phone in North America as well).
Having a Greek SIM card will allow you to take advantage of the local
rates as the Greeks do, which, not only are a fraction of those found
through traditional channels such as mentioned above, but, will also
allow you to receive unlimited free incoming calls from anywhere in
the world! Rates to the US are approximately $0.75 per minute and
domestic rates are approximately $0.35. Since incoming calls are free,
one trick is to have people call you back. You can literally speak
until your battery dies and you won’t incur even a penny for the call.
You will get a Greek cell phone number which means that while you are
getting free incoming calls, people calling you from overseas will be
paying long distance fees.
Although you will have a different phone number than your domestic
one, you can still receive your calls without having to tell everyone
in your address book what your phone number is. Simply leave a message
on your voice mail at home with your new Greek cell phone number.
Also, if you purchase your SIM card prior to your departure not only will you know your number in advance but you can start using
your phone just as soon as you arrive in Greece. Cellular Abroad will
sell you the SIM card, which gives you the service, plus you must rent
or purchase the cell phone.
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