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 International Calls
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 International cell phone options are as varied as travel styles. The always-on-the-go globetrotter who spends his morning in Europe and goes to sleep in North Africa probably carries his own high-tech international calling device. The college student abroad may have a local cell phone that only works in his overseas home. The leisure traveler who wants a cell phone in case of emergency on his yearly vacation may rent a phone and drop it in the mail when he returns home.
Given the ubiquity of cell phone usage in the United States, it's not surprising that many travelers feel naked without a cell phone tucked in their pockets. If you're longing to flip open a personal phone on a cruise or text your friends from the Eiffel Tower, read on. We've outlined the pros and cons of each cell phone option abroad so you can figure out which one is right for you -- and your budget.
Using Your Own Cell Phone with an International Calling Plan
Most major U.S. phone companies give you the option of choosing a plan that allows you to make international calls. These plans may be offered on an ongoing basis or as a temporary service that you can set up for a single month when you know you'll be leaving the country. Each company offers different plans for various prices that work for a number of phone models and in designated countries. Major cell phone providers have coverage maps that show in which countries your network works. Per-minute calling rates vary for different countries.
Some cell phone companies have calling plans for specific regions, such as Canada or Mexico. Other providers let you specify the nations where you need your phone to work (the more countries you choose, the higher the monthly rate). Although you can probably find a broad international phone plan from your current cell phone service provider, you will not be able to make calls from every country on earth; be sure to check that your plan covers the destination in which you plan to travel.
To make an international call from a cell phone, your carrier network must be compatible with the country you're visiting. If you are traveling to Europe, you will most likely find a suitable calling plan. In Africa, the Caribbean or South America, plans may vary. In addition, your phone must be technologically capable of making international calls -- many of the cheaper phones offered by popular cell phone stores can only be used domestically.
Fortunately, many major provider Web sites offer detailed roaming maps and prices so customers can sort out the complexities of international cell phone service. To see if your current phone has what it takes to work overseas (or to find out more about roaming prices and plans), check out the following links:
AT&T International Roaming
Sprint Worldwide
T-Mobile International Services
Verizon International Services
Another option besides making a traditional cell phone call is using a Voice Over IP (VoIP) service such as Skype, which connects calls via an Internet connection. Skype is often used on laptops, but it is now available on cell phones as well. (There's even a Skype iPhone app.) Skype users can talk to each other for free, and can make calls to landlines and cell phones at affordable rates. However, remember that even if you're not making international calls over your phone's cellular network, you'll still need to have an international plan in place to avoid exorbitant data charges.
 Travelers who spend a lot of time overseas and don't want to deal with the inconvenience of renting or purchasing a new cell phone should consider using their own cell phone abroad. If you are looking for the most convenient way to make a call regardless of cost, using your own phone is your best bet.
Pros:
There's no need to switch plans or purchase a new phone if your current phone is capable of making international calls.
Your cell phone number will stay the same.
The names and numbers that are currently programmed into your phone will still be available to you overseas without your having to transfer them to another device.
Calling the States will be less expensive than if you get a local phone plan in your destination.
If you're using Skype, you can call other Skype users for free (not counting any data charges).
Cons:
International calls can get pricey! Major phone companies' calling rates in countries such as Argentina, Tanzania or Turkmenistan can be as high as $4.99 per minute.
Expensive cell phones can easily get lost or stolen in another country, and an American chatting on a pricey mobile phone can be a target for thieves. Just as you wouldn't wear your best watch when traveling, perhaps you should opt for a less flashy phone than your $500 device that can connect to the Internet, play MP3's, provide GPS service and predict the future.
Not all U.S. cell phones can be used globally.
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