Welcome to Our WirelessAdvisor Community!

You are viewing our forums as a GUEST. Please join us so you can post and view all the pictures.
Registration is easy, fast and FREE!

Join Now

Help with T-Mobile & Cingular in Egypt

Discussion in 'International Wireless Forum (Including Canada and' started by charlyee, Jan 30, 2005.

  1. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    I have trip to Egypt coming up in mid March, here is my cell phone situation:

    1. I have an unlocked Motorola V66 on T-Mobile prepay. T-Mobile is telling me that the prepay SIM in my phone can not be used overseas and I will have to buy a SIM locally. Firstly is this true? Secondly if this is true then how easy or difficult will it be to get a SIM card in Cairo Are they availble right at the airport?

    2. According to GSM World, Egypt is 900 Mhz. only. Is this accurate? If it is then my Nokia 6230 will not work there but ofcourse the Moto will.

    Hope I made some sense.

    I appreciate any help that you can provide.

    Thanks you very much.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #1 charlyee, Jan 30, 2005
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2005
  2. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    You can get a SIM card in most airports (can't tell you if the Cairo airport is one of them). Egypt is 900MHZ, so yes your v66 will work there. The Nokia 6230 will not work there unless you have the eurasian model. It does have 1800 in it, but I don't see any providers in Egypt that will work on this standard.

    I would buy a SIM from Vodaphone Egypt if you can find one in the airport and bring the v66.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #2 azcellphonejunkie, Jan 30, 2005
  3. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    Thanks much,

    Do you know if the T-mobile Pre Pay SIM that I have in my V66 can be used overseas. I realize that I will get less number of minutes than if I used it in the US but is it usable at all? I am looking at using on rare/emergency situations only since we are taking an guide for the entire trip.

    Thanks again for your help. :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #3 charlyee, Jan 30, 2005
  4. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    I don't know for sure, but my guess would be no. I would call T-Mobile CS and verify by calling a few times to make sure the answer they give you is consistant from one person to the next. Ask for a supervisor if the person who you are talking to initially doesn't seem to be knowledgeable and is giving you an answer to get you off the phone...
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #4 azcellphonejunkie, Jan 30, 2005
  5. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2003
    Messages:
    10,281
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    130
    Likes Received:
    7
    My Phone:
    HTC Thunderbolt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    VZW, Vodafone D2, Solomo, Swisscom Mobile
    Even if your T-Mobile To Go SIM works in Egypt, roaming pricing would be outrageously high. Buying a local sim, like AZ suggested would be your best bet. I, myself, have prepay SIMs from 3 European countries.
     
    #5 Andy, Jan 30, 2005
  6. EdwardP

    EdwardP Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2004
    Messages:
    1,170
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    3
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    My Phone:
    Android
    Wireless Provider(s):
    T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom)
    T-Mobile To Go (prepay) does not offer international roaming, you're limited to the domestic (USA) T-Mobile network.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #6 EdwardP, Jan 30, 2005
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2005
  7. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    Thank you for clarifying that.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #7 azcellphonejunkie, Jan 30, 2005
  8. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    When my fiance was in China, she bought a SIM from China mobile and the rate went from $3 per minute to about $.20 per minute. It is defintely worth your while to buy a SIM from the country you are visiting if you plan to use more than a few minutes...
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #8 azcellphonejunkie, Jan 30, 2005
  9. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2003
    Messages:
    10,281
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    130
    Likes Received:
    7
    My Phone:
    HTC Thunderbolt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    VZW, Vodafone D2, Solomo, Swisscom Mobile
    I thought they offered Canada Roaming, even on T-Mo To Go...maybe not; since you had them you should know, Edward ;)
     
    #9 Andy, Jan 30, 2005
  10. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2003
    Messages:
    10,281
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    130
    Likes Received:
    7
    My Phone:
    HTC Thunderbolt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    VZW, Vodafone D2, Solomo, Swisscom Mobile
    Exactly, then you only need to get your hand on a cheap prepaid calling card to call cellphones overseas cheap and you can save a ton of money!
     
    #10 Andy, Jan 30, 2005
  11. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    Thank you very much all of you. So I guess a local SIM is the way to go. I just converted to a Pre Pay, so this is my first experience with a Pre Pay, so I did not know how that worked, thanks for clarifying that EdwardP.

    As a side note, I really like the Motorola V66, it has traveled with me quite a bit and has never failed to make or receive calls clearly in Europe, So America and in Asia, although we (the V66 and I) have never been to the middle east until now.

    Thank you azcellphonejunkie, EdwaerP, and Andy84094.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #11 charlyee, Jan 30, 2005
  12. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2003
    Messages:
    10,281
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    130
    Likes Received:
    7
    My Phone:
    HTC Thunderbolt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    VZW, Vodafone D2, Solomo, Swisscom Mobile
    YOu are very welcome. Let us know if you have any other questions, and also let us in about your experience in the Middle East.
     
    #12 Andy, Jan 30, 2005
  13. EdwardP

    EdwardP Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2004
    Messages:
    1,170
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    3
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    My Phone:
    Android
    Wireless Provider(s):
    T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom)
    You're welcome. Glad to be of help. :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #13 EdwardP, Jan 30, 2005
  14. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    You're welcome from me too, glad that I was able to give you some assistance too!
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #14 azcellphonejunkie, Jan 31, 2005
  15. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    Guess what I found a Vodafone Egypt plan just for us vacationers :) . The prices don't seem too bad..I think the exchange rate is $1.00 to 5 Egyptian Dollars (L.E.)

    What do you think?

    Vodafone Holiday
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #15 charlyee, Feb 2, 2005
  16. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    Doesn't look too bad. Looks like you have to be a vodaphone customer currently though right???
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #16 azcellphonejunkie, Feb 2, 2005
  17. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    I am not quite clear on that...it says " you have to buy the line and recharge it", I am hoping they mean buy a SIM card and put some mins. on it and I think buying the SIM would be the activation of 68 L.E.

    How do you read it?????

    PS: I am not planning on calling anyone back home or in Egypt unless it is an emergency, so the phone would be for "just in case".

    Thanks much :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #17 charlyee, Feb 2, 2005
  18. azcellphonejunkie

    azcellphonejunkie The Cell Phone Junkie
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2002
    Messages:
    3,007
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Cave Creek, AZ
    My Phone:
    iPhone 3GS
    Wireless Provider(s):
    ATT, Verizon, Sprint |Prior: Alltel, Nextel
    Maybe you're right. I just read it as being for Vodaphone customers. I guess there is nothing that officially says that though...

    If you just need it for emergencies, it may be a lot of money to spend. I don't think we ever got a clear answer if your pre paid SIM will work over there or not. It would be worth a shot to bring it and try it!
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #18 azcellphonejunkie, Feb 2, 2005
  19. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    Good idea, I will do that.

    Thanks :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #19 charlyee, Feb 2, 2005
  20. ShoresGuy

    ShoresGuy Euer WA Experte in Europa
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2003
    Messages:
    6,529
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    419
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    94065,US/Köln, Germany
    My Phone:
    HTC/T-Mobile MDA II PPC
    Wireless Provider(s):
    E-Plus (BASE 12 month flatrate)/Vodafone Germany
    Look here for Egypt prepaid SIM options:

    http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/egitto.html
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #20 ShoresGuy, Feb 5, 2005
  21. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
    Super Moderator Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    9,906
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    135
    Likes Received:
    1,586
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    My Phone:
    iPhone X
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t/Airtel/Turkcell
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #21 charlyee, Feb 5, 2005
  22. ShoresGuy

    ShoresGuy Euer WA Experte in Europa
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2003
    Messages:
    6,529
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    419
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    94065,US/Köln, Germany
    My Phone:
    HTC/T-Mobile MDA II PPC
    Wireless Provider(s):
    E-Plus (BASE 12 month flatrate)/Vodafone Germany
    You're welcome :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #22 ShoresGuy, Feb 7, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page

Copyright 1997-2023 Wireless Advisor™, LLC. All rights reserved. All registered and unregistered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
WirelessAdvisor.com is not associated by ownership or membership with any cellular, PCS or wireless service provider companies and is not meant to be an endorsement of any company or service. Some links on these pages may be paid advertising or paid affiliate programs.

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice