Australian Mobile Phone in Spain (using local SIM)

[Robo]

A question for Australians who have recently walked in Spain, and used their Telstra mobile phones with a local SIM Card.

Did your phone work OK?

I plan on taking my Galaxy Note 3 as Camera, video and 'link' to home.

I have used my Telstra phones around SE Asia without problems, but not sure what Spanish networks are like in terms of compatibility. Maybe it's only the US phones that seem to have a problem?

 

[Bajaracer]

It really depends on what networks Telstra is partnered up with, that will determine if you get good or great reception.
As far as the U.S. phones go, we have some on GSM and others on a CDMA/GSM networks, it all depends on the provider.

 

[Bajaracer]

Sorry about that, I didn't notice you said local SIM card, your Galaxy Note 3 will cover almost all 3G frequencies for data and voice, LTE depends on the frequencies that the Spanish phone companies use.
Vodafone or Telefonica and smaller MVNO carriers that use their network would be your best bet.
I used Orange and had dead zones in Hornillos, just 20km outside of Burgos, parts of the Meseta, and Cruz de Ferro.

 

[Thornley]

We use an" old" Nokia for the phone , worked well with local sim cards in France or Spain [ different cards]
Took small ipad for photos and maps .

 

[Bajaracer]

Here is a list of Spanish network operators and the frequencies they use: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_Europe#Spain

Here are the specs of your Galaxy Note 3:
http://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Phones/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3

As long as your phone is unlocked, your phone is compatible with the frequencies used in Spain.

 

[dougfitz]

Roba, as @Bajaracer says, the key issue is whether you current phone is unlocked. If it is locked under your current contract, it might be simpler to purchase a cheap, basic handset, or resurrect one if you haven't disposed of a previous handset at some stage.

There are also several relatively inexpensive dual SIM handsets now that would allow you to use your Telstra service and have a local SIM in the second slot.

Given you have asked about using a local SIM, I am assuming you are aware that global roaming from Australia can be fairly expensive as you are paying for the overseas leg of the connection, not the caller. In the past Telstra weren't the cheapest in this regard!

 

[Robo]

Roba, as @Bajaracer says, the key issue is whether you current phone is unlocked. If it is locked under your current contract, it might be simpler to purchase a cheap, basic handset, or resurrect one if you haven't disposed of a previous handset at some stage.

There are also several relatively inexpensive dual SIM handsets now that would allow you to use your Telstra service and have a local SIM in the second slot.

Given you have asked about using a local SIM, I am assuming you are aware that global roaming from Australia can be fairly expensive as you are paying for the overseas leg of the connection, not the caller. In the past Telstra weren't the cheapest in this regard!

Yes Doug, I'm aware of phone locking and Global Roaming charges. My phone is unlocked, so when I travel overseas I always just put a local SIM card into it. I only fell into the Global Roaming trap once. Never again!

 

[Robo]

Here is a list of Spanish network operators and the frequencies they use: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_Europe#Spain

Here are the specs of your Galaxy Note 3:
http://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Phones/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3

As long as your phone is unlocked, your phone is compatible with the frequencies used in Spain.

Sounds good. Many thanks. I just wasn't sure, not having been to Spain before.