[pequele]

Ok, while it is still a LONG way off before I travel...heck I am still trying to pick an agency and do a home study, I have a question about using a cell phone in Russia. I have a GSM phone but wasn't sure what frequency they use there. How hard is it to purchase a SIMS card while you are there? Just trying to get a general idea....not that I'd want to call home everyday, but once in awhile would be nice, not to mention if I need to get ahold of local staff, I'd rather not have to find (nor touch) a public pay phone

Thanks
Stephanie

[lakimnafite]

We rented a phone in Moscow. It worked fine there, but not as well in our region. I'm not sure about bringing your own...

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by pequele

I have a GSM phone but wasn't sure what frequency they use there.

You need either a tri-band or quad-band GSM phone to use it outside of the US. These are sometimes called "world phones" by Cingular or T-Mobile. But even if you do have one, you may not be able to buy a Russian SIMM and use it...most GSM phones sold by Cingular and T-Mobile are "locked" and will only work with their respective SIMM cards.

[nungesser]

Run a search on past threads of this forum for "mobile phone" and "cell phone". You will find several past threads on thsi topic very helpful.

[k8c]

I still say forget about the cell phone and get an Apollo card--$.03/minute to the US.

Kate

[louisianalady]

Kate -

Where do you purchase phone cards like this? Do you have to get them in the US, or do you buy them over there? And at what kind of stores?

[Jim_in_PA]

Be sure that any phone card you purchase is "good to use" in your region. They are not necessarily so...

[k8c]

I live in St. Petersburg. The Apollo cards are readily available here at most mobile phone shops, grocery stores, corner shops, etc. They also are readily available in and work from Moscow.

[pequele]

my main concern is getting seperated from my organization. I know they give you a list of contacts and all, but it really only does me any good if I have a phone to call them on

[k8c]

You'll be fine. Choose an agency who will hold your hand the entire way. Agencies differ in the amount of in-country support they offer. It sounds like that's important to you, so ask about it when you're interviewing agencies.

(Apollo cards work from every phone. I mentioned them because you said you wanted to call home. You can rent a mobile while you're here. Your agency should be able to help.)

[chazz]

Take a look at mobal.com. I did not use them,but they seem to be getting a lot of good press from travel magazines and Rick Steves.