cell phones from egypt

[mohamed and trina 0]

i have a question for some of you people who have traveled from egypt to usa.does anyone have an answer for me.my fiance will be comming here from egypt.and i wanted a good way for him to contact me at the airport when he does arrive.my first question is he has an unlocked nokia phone.can he still use that phone here in usa.and i know he has to probebly get a sim card.or do you guys suggest he just get a card to call me.i really dont know how to make his phone work here in usa.anyone have any suggestions.and maybe the card would be the cheaper way out.but if he did have a cell phone i could call him any time.and i think he may have to get a prepaid card for his phone.i am so confused just want the easiest way out.but the safest way so we can contact eachother.thank you so much

[Aymsgirl 0]

I am glad you posted this because this has been going through my mind for days and he will be here April 24th. I know that one of the girls bought a cingular card and sent it to her fiancee and it worked fine for them. I was thinking I can give him the numbers off of my AT&T phone card and let him call me on that but the cell would be better. I just don't have much time or money to buy the cingular card to send him now.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I want to know that, too. My fiance has a quad band unlocked mobile phone.

[Ahmed & Sue 0]

When we went to Egypt to visit Ahmed, the personell at the airport were very helpful. We had some of the workers approach us and ask where our hotel was, and where we needed to go. Actually, I had no clue because Ahmed had taken care of all that for me. I gave the gentleman Ahmed's phone number and he called him for me. Not sure if they will do this here in the states or not, but if it comes to that, I would not hesitate to ask.

Actually, that was the first time I had flown. Everyone was very helpful. There was another gentleman who spoke several languages on our flight with us. He kept watch for myself and my kids and would ask questions about the adjoining flights, and things happening, and then let me know what was happening. It was a relief to have someone else who understood what was going on help me out. I know everybody is nervous about the trip, but I think even without the phone to call, there will still be ways to communicate.

But, at the same time, if you find a better way, let me know.......lol. When the time comes, I want the easiest way possible.

Thanks,

Sue

[pushbrk 12,881]

An unlocked GSM phone (one with a SIM card) can use any SIM card. The easy way is just to mail a SIM card. Beware though, many CBP inspection areas at major airports are in basements where there is no cell service, so any "upon arrival" call needs to be made before deplaining or after clearing Immigration.

I had clearly instructed my wife to call from the plane but she didn't remember until under ground in the LAX Bradley Terminal. 150 minutes later, she emerged.

[LynnandAhmed 0]

Can't he just call you collect from a payphone at the airport? That sounds the easiest to me.

Otherwise, could he just buy a phone card at one of the shops in the airport and call from a pay phone?

I think it's too much trouble to fool with all the other stuff.

Edited April 14, 2008 by LynnandAhmed