Australian Mobile Phones in the USA

[jaydisc]

International roaming is ok because I just use it for sending sms messages which comes under the value included in the cap.

I can say with near certainty that sending sms's while on international roaming will not be included in your cap and will be charged over and above at a rate of $0.75 or higher. Some carriers charge a similar amount for every RECEIVED sms while roaming internationally.

Specifically for Vodafone, outgoing is charged at $0.75:
http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/...tpay/index.htm

[llamatron]

Yeah, my bad, misread the T&C's.

[Maxiewolf]

How often do you go trekking to need the international roaming or o/s usage of the phone anyways? more than once or twice a year? Cos ifyou do it might be better to get a handset from o/s and just use it when your away.

[llamatron]

That's a good point actually. I'll look in to doing that.

[griffin]

I use my own phone when in US for convenience to me and others (who I may not have contact with before I leave the country), and means I don't have to carry around 2 phones (I also use my phone as a backup camera). My limited use of my phone at botcon means my international call costs end up being very low, and probably less than the $50 disposable phone cost. But weigh up your options based on your own needs, because if you are spending a fair bit of time in America with others whom you need to contact often, or doing lots of other stuff which has you needing a phone a fair bit as well, the disposable option would end up being cheaper.