Any new or recent unlocked phone that uses a sim chip. You’ll also need a sim chip that works in Europe.

Sim chip are often country-specific. I’ve seen some that claim coverage throughout Europe, but the rates aren’t so good. Consider getting a “start pack” from post office, fruit/veg kiosks, corner shops. These include a sim with local number for that country, and sometimes as much talk time as you paid for the startpack. For example, in Denmark you can get Lebara start pack for 49 Dkr and it comes with 50 Dkr talk time. When you arrive to each new country, you’ll have to get a new one. I’ve heard you can’t do it in Italy; maybe other countries too?

Consider also a wi-fi phone and use an open hotspot to phone around with Skype (out).

i really like the idea of a wifi phone and using skype out. i hadn’t thought of that. seems like a good idea…

That is a great idea! Who makes these phones?

Nokia, Sony, Samsung, Apple. Most of these are: http://www.cellhut.c… — just check the specs.

I think the Industry calls them ‘WorldPhones:’ They are 4-Band GSM Phones that may be used with European Telecom protocols as well as U.S. But as Don writes, you may have to buy a SIM for each Country.
My Unlocked T-Mobile SDA and Cingular 2125 (both manufactured by HTC Corp. in Taiwan) fit the bill. These two models of SmartPhones have been around a long time; so you might be able to get a ‘deal’ on one or the other on Ebay, or Amazon, or whatever

The skype idea is rubbish, here in the UK only 3 has the skype phone and their network is shite! trust me I know more about this than anybody here. £50 on PAYG to talk to somebody on skype ??? Mobile skype on any Windows Mobile device requires IP which menas WAP, 3G internet connection which works out very expensive. However if you have wifi phone Nokia E or N series, Fring can be installed and just buy some surf time at the internet cafe or hotspot you’re visiting and make free calls to landlines using VOIPstunt SIP connection…. they have a free 60 min trial… or if you sign up for credit (like skype) you get free landline calls for 120 days (300 mins a week per unique IP)

www.voipstunt.com

So for a couple of bucks in an internet cafe and 5 euros credit (which you can use for calls too) you can talk for up to 60 mins from the list of countries (US mobiles are free too) before hanging up and redialing.

If you land in the UK or have UK vodafone account (this is available on their pay as you talk
anynet simm only too)

Vodafone do a ‘passport service’ for PAYG customers traveling, 1 euro cent or 75 pence connection
fee and your bundled or PAYG minutes can be used for international calls back home as you roam.,
same price as it would be in the UK cell to cell or calling landlines
Incoming calls while roaming under passport aren’t charged , only the 75 p connection charge
they’re free.

Some of the countries listed do passport so if you with a vodafone affiliate then see if it’s available
before you leave and register

http://www.abroad.vo…

http://www.voipstunt…