[snaimon]

My 2 cents, but I am sure others will weigh in with differning views.

INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARD

You must have some kind of calling card such as ATT, MCI, Sprint, Onesuite, Enjoyprepaid or other card you can use from Greece at a minimum. You may be able to purchase such a card in Greece, but you may not be able to compare rates in advance. Always best in my opinion to have a backup or two. For international dialing even from your cell phone, you may be able to use the calling card more cheaply.

PHONE

1. BORROW an unlocked TRIBAND GSM phone from a friend, co-worker, colleague, etc.
2. Failing that, BUY a used TRIBAND GSM phone like off Ebay.

[In both cases make sure the power supply allows 110 - 240 volts and that you have the proper adapters.

You should be able to pass that Ebay GSM phone along to someone else or resell it on Ebay after your return. I would NOT buy a phone in Europe as you may not need it again and if you bring it home, the resale value may be lower, much lower than you paid. Many European phones are 900/1800 and cannot be used in the US.]


SIM CARD

If you will be staying only in Greece......

3. If you will only be staying in Greece and you can deal with not sharing your phone number IN ADVANCE, then buy the SIM there.
4. You should be able to pick up a SIM on Ebay.com or UK Ebay for Greece and you can have the number in advance. Watch out for the expiration date, however.
5. Perhaps some of our Greek colleagues on the board can help -- buy one for you.

IF you may be travelling beyond Greece and anticipate additional world travels.....

6. You may wish to consider an international SIM of some kind. Our UK friends are very keen about the Isle Of Man cards. I have a Riiing (United Mobile) card and that seems to work fine EXCEPT for the high inbound to Liechtenstein mobiles (+423) from most LD providers. If you choose UM, you may want to look into Callbackworld.com.

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Some questions to consider:

1. Will YOU be making calls out and to where?
2. Do you want people in US to call you?
3. It will be cheaper for you to have your family reach you at a land line rather than on your cell phone.
4. It will be cheaper for your family to reach you via SMS than calling you on the cell phone.
5. Will you be doing SMS?
6. Will you have access to a computer?
7. How long will you be away?

Depending on the answers, your final choice of SIMs may be different.

Stan

PS. Ditch Verizon; I did.