Does the Android Phone Work Overseas?

American cell phone networks use frequencies and technologies not widely used internationally. Therefore, American Android phones do not work in other countries unless they are manufactured with the ability to do so. Phones with the capacity to operate in any country with a GSM network are referred to as quad-band phones, and those that can operate in any country with a CDMA or GSM network are referred to as world phones.

American cellular phone providers use two network types: GSM and CDMA. Phones designed for GSM networks do not work on CDMA networks and vice-versa. GSM and CDMA network are used internationally, but GSM networks in other countries use a different radio frequency than American GSM networks, therefore American GSM phones do not work on those systems. If you want to use an Android phone on a foreign GSM network, you must purchase a quad-band phone that works on the two American GSM frequencies and on the two international GSM frequencies.

Most of the world uses GSM networks, thus a quad-band GSM Android phone works almost anywhere in the world. Most European countries, South America, Asia and Oceania operate GSM networks. Roughly half of African countries use GSM networks. Other countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and South America utilize CDMA networks in addition to or instead of GSM networks. Any CDMA Android phone will work in countries with a CDMA network if your service carrier has a roaming agreement in that country.

If you are on a GSM network, such as AT&T or T-Mobile, and you plan to travel to countries with GSM networks, you can purchase a quad-band Android phone. Be advised, however, that such phones will not work in countries that only have CDMA networks. If you are on a CDMA network, like Verizon, you should purchase an Android world phone if you intend to use it abroad. World phones can be used on CDMA networks and on any GSM network.

Major carriers have roaming agreements with other countries that allow you to use your Android phone's data and voice features on their networks. In general, these roaming costs are far more expensive than standard wireless phone service. If you will be spending a long time overseas and you are using a GSM phone or a world phone in a GSM country, you can save money by purchasing a subscriber identity module, or SIM card, from a cellular service provider at your destination. Replace the SIM card in your phone with the local SIM card that includes a cell phone number to make calls at local rates.

If your phone carrier does not provide service in your destination country, or if your Android phone is not compatible with the local cellular network, you can still use your phone when it is connected to a WiFi network. You cannot make or receive voice calls over WiFi, but you can make VOIP calls via voice calling apps like Skype.

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