Expert: DebiN - 4/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: 3 years ago, I purchased a Motorola C118 GSM phone from Mobal Communications to use in Athens. All calls local or to USA were approx. $1.20 per min. I still have that phone and found sites where I can get it unlocked. If I pay for that svc, am I correct that I can just buy a Sim for Greece (USA purchase since it is supposedly difficult to buy it in Greece)and make cheaper calls both in Greece and back to USA...and approximately how much per call...I can't find those rates anywhere....thank you.

ANSWER: It fortunately doesn't matter what phone you have. What determines charges for cell phone service is the carrier who sells the SIM card with service and what they charge per minute for domestic (within Greece) and international dialing (calls from Greece to the US or other locations). If Mobal Communications still has $1.20 per minute rate to the US, the if you buy another SIM from them, it will be the same. You would only need to unlock the phone if you are going to use another carrier or if the phone is SIM locked. To find the rates, figure out the carrier you want to buy the service from and then look up their rates. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK, I am more confused now. I purchased the Motorola C118 GSM phone from Mobal Comm. 3 yrs ago to use it in Greece while on vacation. I understand that while their SIM card is in the phone and the phone is still coded to them or locked, I basically have to dance to their music. What I'm asking is, if I find a way to unlock my C118 Motorola GSM phone, can I conceivably then go out and purchase a SIM card from someone other than Mobal Communications then simply stick it in the phone and get "X" number of minutes worth of calls (local calls in Greece or from Greece back to the USA) thus bypassing Mobal Comm. rates and requirements? (which by the way are actually $1.50-1.90 per min)

Answer
Yes. If the phone is SIM unlocked, you can purchase a SIM from any carrier and get as many minutes as the card is set up to give you and yes, this will have nothing to do with Mobal Comm in any way. If you find a less expensive provider and can buy a SIM with service from them and you get the phone SIM Unlocked (if it is locked currently), you can do what you are wanting to do. Please keep in mind that with ANY carrier, calls from Greece to the US are international dialing calls and will be expensive (not sure what the cost, it's based on the carrier). I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN