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Consolidate Your Cell Phone
The Travel Technologist · February 8, 2002

The easiest way to double your cellular phone bill is to travel with it. It's a sad fact that I've described in a previous column about roaming charges, and despite loud complaints from subscribers, these fees show no signs of fading.

But for some wireless users, the higher rates are only part of the problem. For them, technological incompatibilities add even more to the cost of every call, often tripling or quadrupling their cell phone bills.

Why? Well, in its simplest terms, your North American cell phone won't work in Europe or Asia. If you've ever tried, you'll notice that the unit just goes to "searching" mode when you turn it on and lingers there, unable to find a receiver to lock on to. That's because a digital PCS phone operates in the 1900 MHz frequency range, but overseas GSM networks operate at 900 or 1800 MHz, making them incompatible.

One solution is a multi-band phone, a handset that operates on other frequencies. I've described this option in a number of previous stories, and for this frequent traveler, it still remains one of the most appealing options. I've tested several two-in-one units myself over the last several years, but usually came away wanting more-and in some cases, less. Previous models were considerably bigger than the digital handsets we're accustomed to. Others were difficult to use.

Multi-band cell phones are coming of age with the introduction of the Siemens S40, a sleek, versatile phone that makes me dismiss any reservations I once had about this kind of inclusive technology. The phone will be available through Cingular Wireless this year for around $300.

Before getting to the specifics of the S40, here's your bottom line: Buying a phone like this could save you hundreds of dollars over a few weeks, and maybe even more, depending on the country you visit. Think about the alternatives-renting a mobile phone or using your hotel's in-room phones-and the savings really start to add up. I'm hard-pressed to put a price tag on it, since every trip is different. If you can't live without a portable phone, however, this is the way to go.

The most appealing characteristic of the S40 is its size. At about 3 ½ ounces, it is just slightly larger than a candy bar. I was also impressed with the capacity of its battery. When a manufacturer advertises 260 hours of standby time and six hours of talk-time, I'm understandably skeptical. But sure enough, I went for almost a week without charging it. Switching between systems was also easy. The S40 allowed me to toggle between the various GSM frequencies manually or automatically.

Although the keyboard and menu selection is easy to use, the most frequent travelers will find that the S40 has a number of unfortunate limitations. There's a cap of 1,000 address book entries that can sync in from your PC via Microsoft Outlook, and most business travelers I know carry considerably more than that number of addresses. The other problem is typing on the keyboard when the unit is in its holster. Entering data through the plastic cover takes a lot of pressure and patience. The exercise left me wondering if users were meant to use the phone with the protective covering on it.

I wish we could end the story right here, with an unreserved recommendation to buy a phone like the S40.

I can't.

The next generation of mobile phone technology, also called 3G, is not far off. It will make the S40 look like two tin cans with a wire tied between them, in terms of both capabilities and bandwidth. The S40 is a great phone for today, but don't think of it - or the solution that it represents - as being the last portable you'll have to buy.

Christopher Elliott is a travel commentator based in Key Largo, Fla. All e-mailed questions may be edited, condensed or republished at the site's discretion. The Travel Technologist appears weekly on this site. This story was also published on SmarterLiving.com.