We use a Nokia 'Pay as you Talk' mobile phone linked to Vodaphone here in the UK. The problem is when we visit the southwest USA it rarely works despite the fact it is Tri-Band. I am aware that coverge in these regions is limited but we found the phone was unable to get a signal most of the time. Az Co Ut Nev. Any tips or clever tweaks or just advice apreciated as we return this September. John.

I forget who Vodafone's US roaming partner is but I think it's Verizon. Usually you can go to the websites and check coverage maps. They'll show coverage etc.

The other thing to check out if your phone is unlocked you can get a tmobile sim pay as you go card that might work....

In general the southwest is not the greatest for cell service from ay company...

Also it may be the fact that it is a triband and not a quad band...

You might want to check over at Prepaid GSM site to see if you can find any information. I agree with Venice - That area is not well covered by any carrier. I've found that outside cities - there is usually only a signal if you are along a major highway or near a ski resort. It is improving but if there isn't enough population near by, there won't be a cell tower near by.

I checked Vodaphone's partner is AT&T. Here is a coverage map.

If other GSM phones can get a signal in that area, it probably is the fact that it's triband. The band used in that location may be the one that isn't included in your phone -- which probably has two European bands and only one for the US.

- Roz

quote:

I forget who Vodafone's US roaming partner is but I think it's Verizon.

I'm pretty sure it is T-Mobile. A triband phone won't (which implies GSM/TDMA technology) won't work on a Verizon system here (which uses CDMA multiplexing).

I have a European triband for use in Italy and had a Vodafone SIM for my last trip. When I got back to the US, I got service on T-mobile here in East Texas. ( I just turned it on to see what service I would recieve here....my normal US service is with ATT Mobility.)

From looking at the T-Mobile coverage map, it appears that the larger areas of coverage in the Southwest are on 850 MHz frequency systems. Is your North American band 850 or 1900 MHz?

From this page on Vodaphone UK - the preferred roaming network in the US is AT&T.

I have a Vodaphone sim card from Italy and a quad band motorola....when I was in the states in May I bought a sim card (pay as you go) from TMobile and had no trouble using it....

Thanks to all..after a 6 week vacation I'll let you know the outcome. As a precaution we will be investing in prepaid phonecard as we have many times in the past.Mind you they didnt help when our Dodge Stratus engine died out on a lonely stretch of old route 66! John.

I wish you well, but our experience is that cell phone towers in those lonely stretches of the west just aren't there, except in populated areas. I think the only solution if you really MUST have a phone would be a satellite phone.

Thanks Chris... the phone would only be for an emergency as in my post above. That time one of the few vehicles passing by on the road stopped and a kind lady let me use her phone.Thats the Stratus in the background,note the sharp corner.Temps circa 98deg..no shade. Rental company sent a replacement car 1 AM the next morning. John.

Old route 66.Az.

Not sure if you left or not...but what about a CB sometimes rental cars come with them....I am talking about a CB for car problems etc not to call home