Mobile for Holiday

[Johndm]

Just about to hire a phone for a trip to California, and would appreciate some help..:grin:

What is the differance between GSM and Nextel? I'm assuming GSM is digital, and Nextel is analogue but with better coverage?

Thanx for any help..:)

[lynx]

Nextel is a service provider :

Nextel Communications, based in Reston, VA, is a leading provider of fully integrated, wireless communications services on the largest guaranteed, *all-digital*, wireless network in the country. The Nextel 4-in-1 service—Nextel Digital Cellular, Direct ConnectSM, Nextel Mobile Messaging and Nextel Online®—covers thousands of communities across the United States.

If your own handset is tri-band capable ( many are nowadays ) contact your service provider and arrange 'roaming' to be set up.This will allow you to use your handset after registering with a US provider, this is quick and simple to do but i would suggest contacting your UK provider well in advance and get a tel number to call in case of difficulties over there.
OR take up Nextels offer of a free handset while you are over there :

Free phone rental in the USA... Nextel, the largest digital national network in the USA offers an affordable mobile phone rental service for travellers to the USA.
It features;


no rental charge
simple ordering
refundable deposit
your own SIM card and phone number
phone delivery to a USA business or hotel address
normal roaming costs on your own bill
*No Rental Charge*
Remember there is no daily or weekly rental charge.

We supply the USA mobile phone and you use your own SIM card.
Details http://www.usaphonerental.com/

:)

[Johndm]

Thanks Lynx,

checked out that www address you suggested, but don't think that one will be any good.

My handset is not triband, and only pay as you go..:(
The site you suggested says they will deliver within 24 hrs, but thats no good, as will be in LA at hotel only overnight, then off into the wilderness in a Caddy..:grin:

Just found a UK site, http://www.adamphones.com/ they deliver and pickup (£7 for each) and charge a flat fee of £1 per day excluding calls. As phone will only be for any emergencies, it seems a good deal?

[xio]

Be aware that roaming in the States is not like roaming in much of Europe. You'll find a triband phone fine when you're in the cities, but when you head out of town, coverage is pretty negligible much of the time. Analogue phones tend to work better out in the sticks and the small towns, but even then, the coverage is not great.

I usually end up using a combination of phone cards (which are pretty cheap) and mobile depending on location.

[berniebbb]

what do you think about adamphones.com?