Verizon has a new data plan for travelers from USA. For $25, the plan provides 100 MB of data use in 120 countries. 100 MB of data is not enough to stream movies, but it's sufficient for checking email, tweeting and some web browsing. When you use up your 100 MB, you'll get a text from Verizon offering the chance to purchase another $25 worth of data. Here's the announcement http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2012/04/bl2012-04-23a.html
The global data plan requires that you be a Verizon subscriber in USA, and that you use one of Verizon's "global ready" phones, tablets or data hotspot devices. No voice service is included, just data. Verizon has a separate plan to reduce the cost of voice service as you travel.
You certainly can make your own arrangements with cell phone carriers in the countries you visit as you travel, and likely get a better deal. Verizon's plan offers convenience, and a simplified accounting of your communications charges.
The countries in Verizon's plan include all of North America, Europe, and almost all of South America. For some reason, countries in Central America are not included. Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand are on the list, but not Mongolia or countries in Central Asia. South Africa and Egypt are covered, but not the rest of Africa. See the list of countries here
http://businessportals.verizonwireless.com/international/globaldata.html
The global data plan requires that you be a Verizon subscriber in USA, and that you use one of Verizon's "global ready" phones, tablets or data hotspot devices. No voice service is included, just data. Verizon has a separate plan to reduce the cost of voice service as you travel.
You certainly can make your own arrangements with cell phone carriers in the countries you visit as you travel, and likely get a better deal. Verizon's plan offers convenience, and a simplified accounting of your communications charges.
The countries in Verizon's plan include all of North America, Europe, and almost all of South America. For some reason, countries in Central America are not included. Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand are on the list, but not Mongolia or countries in Central Asia. South Africa and Egypt are covered, but not the rest of Africa. See the list of countries here
http://businessportals.verizonwireless.com/international/globaldata.html