I am travelling soon to Israel. Been using Cingular in USA, but need to find a way to use phone in Israel. Want to activate phone, and then is it best to get some sort of pre-paid card? I am totally new to this int'l calling thing. What is best service? Would appreciate some guidance. Thanks. bshiviti

Assume you have GSM service with SIM card. You need to have an unlocked phone to use overseas. To test if you have an unlocked phone, you wil need a "foreign" SIM like T-Mobile. See if you can find a friend or colleague with service from T-MO and remove your SIM and try using the new SIM. If the phone is locked, you should go back to Cingular and see if they will help out.

Otherwise, you will have to pay for an unlocking service.

Stan

Thanks Stan. Cingular is sending me the unlock code..no fee. But the question is if I take out my SIM card, is it the process then that I buy a SIM card in Israel?
I do have a GSM service here. Guess I have to see if this phone is compatible with networks in Israel?
I am trying to understand the parameters, what I need to understand about the phone and the networks.
Is there a more efficient way to have phone use there? How would a pre-paid GSM card work for me.

Still appreciating help. Bshiviti

Assuming your phone has the appropriate bands for Israel (900/1800), all you have to do is get it unlocked and get a sim card in Isreal and you are good to go. In israel, you may need to manually select the bands if it's an older model phone. Most new phones automatically select the band.

IF Israel is the only foreign destination in the near future, YES, a PRE-PAID SIM for Israel is the way to go. You certainly don't want to sign a contract for 1 year of service over there unless you are staying long.

OTOH, if you plan to travel -- Jordan, Syria or even Europe or Asia, you might consider one of the international SIM cards. See the appropriate section here on the site for international providers. Some of them have free inbound in Israel.

As was previously noted, you need to have at least the 900 band and better would be 900 and 1800. Look at the manual/specs of your phone.

Stan

If it's a North American model, it could be GSM 850/1800/1900 or quadband. If it's the Eurasian model, then it's GSM 900/1800/1900.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=467
http://direct.motorola.com/eng/Web_full_sp...ondaryOption=-1