International WiFi Use?

[Grimace]

This may seem stupid but I'm packing and can't think straight.

I'm going to South Africa for a week. AT&T international roaming fees for voice and data are ridiculous and I don't really care to use them.

I would like to jump on any open wireless networks that I find -- without the phone looking for a cell provider (EDGE is actually available in some places...) I ONLY want to use open WiFi spots and the iPod parts of the phone.

Since my phone is registered and all, can I just take out the SIM card and use the iPod and WiFi functionality? I don't want to be stuck with a huge data bill so I'm hoping that method keeps them from charging me.

Es posible?

 

[bbplayer5]

Take the sim out and jump on wifi I asked ATT on the phone about this.

 

[Grimace]

woohoo!

 

[KauaiBruce]

Wouldn't taking the sim out be the same as just not enabling the phone for international roaming? Without that enabled I would just expect hotspots to work.

 

[JonboyDC]

I agree -- don't call AT&T to activate international roaming, and then see if your phone picks up any signal (voice or data) at all when you arrive in S. Africa. I'm guessing it won't, which should prevent you from accidentally accruing roaming charges while still leaving the wi-fi available to use.

(But if your phone does pick up a signal, try removing the sim card).

 

[riverfreak]

Wouldn't taking the sim out be the same as just not enabling the phone for international roaming? Without that enabled I would just expect hotspots to work.

Interesting point (and suggestions). I can say this: on another network and with other hardware but WITHOUT international roaming enabled, my phone at the time was still able to connect and suck down data. The charges were exorbitant.

Later, I enabled long distance roaming since I actually needed it, but turned data off (which you can do on the sidekicks). The result on that trip: over $1000 in download charges for my email and the realization that it isn't really possible to use a sidekick overseas without accruing massive download charges.

Granted this was with a sidekick/T-mobile. But I'd be careful about relying on the fidelity of long distance roaming being inactive...