hey all,

I recently annihilated my cell phone and need a replacement, but here is the catch: I will be moving to Europe at the end of the summer for a year, which causes huge problems with my current provider (Verizon) in that they will charge $2-$4 a minute, even for calling within Europe. With this in mind, skype seems to be a great solution to international calling whilst avoiding setting up a contract with a foreign service provider. The n810/800 would provide mobile skype calling, as well as any windows mobile equipped cell...
Ultimately, I only need a device that can access skype, but having my gmail, and rss feeds would be a great plus while traveling..
integrated gps would also be nice when I get lost traveling

Now some questions...If I chose to get a windows mobile smart phone or pda through verizon, would they still allot wifi data transfer? I've read that you have to pay for unlimited data transfer even while using WIFI through cell companies?!?!

Can anyone recommend a cell that supports skype (be it through windows mobile or other) and also ability to access gmail?

the other solution is the n810/800, which I already know will work great w/ skype, aside from having to hook a mic/headset into? (I'm not sure if the n810/800 has a built in mic) but I would have to buy an el cheepo phone for US calling until I leave the country...

anyone have some insight into my dilemma???
thanks..
I'll go sift the forums some more

edit: I'm not sure that GC to Skype forwarding will work. Actually, I got it confused with Gizmo. You can forward GC to Gizmo. Look here:http://lifehacker.com/software/telep...ect-313937.php

You can get a Skype-In U.S. number to get Skype calls abroad though. Sorry.
End of edit

This may be too much info for you but I'll try to answer your questions.

I am not sure about Verizon data allotment. I will tell you that if you try to use your Verizon phone abroad you will get taken. Companies charge a lot because they use local wireless companies to route your call/data and because they can. Kinda like ATM fees when you don't use your bank's own ATM. If you are on wifi on your phone, you will not be charged for data. If you have an unlimited data plan with your cell company here, you will get charged abroad for data because you are using another company's network despite the fact that Verizon is billing you.

Windows Mobile phones support Skype. It is free to download. You can place Skype calls from your Win Mobile Phone through wifi. Make sure the phone you use has integrated wifi if you decide to go this route. Some phones from ATT/Cingular are ATT 8525 and ATT 8925 (Tilt). I'm not sure about Verizon or other carriers.

You can buy a 800/810 tablet and use it for Skype as long as you have wifi available. From what I understand, wifi is available almost every where in major European cities. Try to get a Grand Central phone number with a US area code of your choice. GC allows you to forward calls to Skype directly. This can be configured on their website. This will allow people in the US to call the local GC number which will get forwarded to to your Skype number that you can pickup using your Nokia 800/810 (or whatever you use to get Skype) anywhere in the world (assuming you connected via wifi), and it is free. Sign up for a free invitation at www.grandcentral.com. They don't charge now but may charge a reasonable rate in the future. GC is in beta right now and is owned by Google.

Finally, if you still need a phone here in the US and want to use it abroad then I suggest that you switch from Verizon to ATT/Cingular or T-Mobile to get a new phone (new 1 year plan req). These two companies use GSM bands which are used in Europe and the rest of the world. Make sure you buy a Quad band GSM phone with these companies and request an unlock code (aka subsidy code) from your new provider after a month of good standing. Tell them that you are traveling to Europe and want to use a local SIM card. When you successfully unlock your phone you can take it abroad and buy a prepaid SIM card in Europe an get a local number with local data/phone rates. Your phone will still work in the US when you comeback. Also, it doesn't matter if you choose a regular phone or a Windows Mobile phone, just make sure it is Quad band. You can't unlock Verizon phones.

Just a few comments from my recent experience as a Verizon voice customer:

Their global roaming with U.S. phones is now $1.29/minute in Western Europe and many other countries, and $2.49/minute max. I'm pretty sure that covers calls to both the local country and to the U.S.

You do need a GSM phone in Europe. (Not in many Asian countries though. A regular CDMA Verizon phone works fine. You just need to tell Verizon to turn on Global Service, no extra charge).

I bought a used Verizon GSM/CDMA phone on eBay, and Verizon gave me unlock codes they said would unlock the phone the first time I put a non-US chip in it. Haven't tried it yet, and don't know if they would do that with a new phone bought from them.

thanks for all the info, greatly appreciated!

Not sure if this was your question, but so far as I can tell, the headset that came with my 800 has a built in mic. Also, I haven't tried this, but maybe it's possible to use a bluetooth headset with the 800/810?

Beth

First of all, "Europe" is a pretty big place. Cell phone plans and data availability vary greatly from one country to another -- Ireland may be cheap, but Switzerland will be expensive. Cyprus will offer data at an exorbitant rate, and Greece might squeak by with GPRS..But they all run on GSM. The same goes for Wifi: some places (Germany) will have tons of Wifi hotspots; others will have next to none (Italy). But very few APs will be open. So check your country and your program. Boingo's $8/month deal might make sense for you; or it could be too much, or useless.
So it all depends on the country in question. How much of a PITA it's gonna be depends on the country too. In any case, even Switzerland's pay-as-you go service beats the pants off those US international roaming prices.
Yes, the earbuds supplied is actually a headset. There's a button on it too to answer calls.

You should wait until you get here and check out the deal which are available at the time. Compared to the US, European mobile phone companies are 10 times better. If you are in the UK then "3" offers mobile phones which give Skype, MSN, and other services as part of the deal. Vodafone on the other hand, offers "unlimited" 3G internet access for £7.99/month. Best thing to do is to check out what is on offer once you get here. Deals, offers and price plans are changing all the time. You might even bag yourself a free Xbox 360 or PS3.