You are here:
- Home
- Shopping
- Cell Phones/Pagers
- Cellular Phones
- Using USA t-mobile phone in Australia
Cellular Phones/Using USA t-mobile phone in Australia
Advertisement
Question
Hi - I have a t-mobile Samsung t629 phone. I was told that when I am in Australia I can purchase a pre-paid SIM in a local store to use in my phone to call my Australian friends while there. I can't find any information on this and would appreciate an expert opinion.
Thanks in advance.
In order to use your T-Mobile phone with a local SIM in Australia, the phone has to be SIM unlocked. If you contact T-Mobile and ask them to provide you with the SIM unlock code for your phone, as long as you have active T-Mobile service and are in good standing with them and have had the phone for at least 90 days, they will provide you with the code (which is only good for your phone - the codes are unique to only one phone) and then you can unlock your phone. Then, when you are in Australia, you can purchase a local SIM card, put it into your phone and it will work. That's all there's to it. Keep in mind, that only voice and text will work, not the internet while you are abroad. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN
Related Articles
- Unlocked Cell Phones and Smartphones - How to Use an Unlocked Cell Phone
- How to Make International Calls While Traveling: Comparison of Using Your Cell Phone Abroad, Renting Mobile Phones, and More
- Calling Around Down Under - More on GSM Phones and SIM Cards for International Cell Phone Calls
- Calling Cards - Save Money While Traveling by Using Calling Cards Instead of Your Cell Phone
- Guide to Phones in Hong Kong – Guide to Using Hong Kong's Free Local Phone System
DebiN
Expertise
I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.
Experience
Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.
Organizations
I belong to several organizations
Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications
Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.