IPhone -- Trip to Europe – 17 Days, 6 countries and 11 cities usage report

Question

Before I left U.S., I was debating about bring my iPhone with me on this trip. What if I lose it? What if someone steals it since Europe country won’t have iPhone until November 9? Finally, I decided to bring my iPhone with me and begin with this incredible journey. I did a lot of homework before the trip. I heard people been charged unbelievable rate by using iPhone oversea. Thanks Apple released new firmware (Version 1.1.1) that allow user to disable Data Roaming function. It does give us more flexibility to use iPhone while oversea. I would like to break down my wonderful experience by each icon on iPhone and also report EDGE avaliabiliy on each city. You are going to be amazed that how this phone makes my trip more fun and pride.
The countries I visited are Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, and France. The 11 cities are Amsterdam, Brussels, Köln, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Praha, Vienna, Salzburg and Paris. I added two services from AT&T before I leave. One is International Traveler Save plan. It cost $5.99 per month and no contract required. It gives discount rate when you dialing or receiving phone call while you are aboard. Another service is iPhone International Data plan. It costs $24.99 per month and no contract, too. It comes with first 20MB free and after 20MB will be charge discount rate. The total is about $30 and you can use your iPhone like you are in states.
iPhone works perfectly with those country’s local wireless carrier. It automatically switched the carrier when I am in different carrier zone. During this 17 days trip, I had no problem with dialing and receiving phone call. The dropped call rate is ZERO. If you are calling to U.S. make sure you turn the International Assist on. When you are using EDGE, most of cities offered EDGE service, make sure you restart you phone when you switch to different carrier.
SMS - SMS is the cheapest way to keep connects with your family and friends while you are oversea. It costs $0.50 to receive and send international message.
Calendar - I inputted my entire train schedule in calendar and setup an alarm for each schedule. It works well. I didn’t miss any train luckily.
Photos&Camera - If you don’t carry laptop with you on the trip then iPhone will be the best device for you to take picture and send it thru email. This is the best function that you can share your happy moment with someone instantly. You don’t have to wait until sync your camera with your computer. You take picture and send it right the way. While I was in Paris, I took picture with Eiffel Tower and sent it to all my friends.
YouTube - I don’t use this function that much while I am in U.S. This trip makes me realize that when you are visiting a non-English country and stay in the hotel only have 2 English channels (CNN and BBC). Youtube is the only entertainment. Most hotels provide free WiFi internet. You can access unlimited time and watch video on youtube. Special thanks for people who post my favorite U.S. TV show on time.
Stocks - I am sure each iPhone user who have stocks are already added their stocks code on this function. I don’t have to re-enter anything. Just click and iPhone updated lasted stock information for you. So much better than PDA.
Maps - Do I have to mention this great tool again? I used Google maps all the time, how can I not using it when I am oversea. Each city’s information booth is useless for me when I have iPhone. I can just point out the city where I am at and start search for point of interest.
** Do you know when you hold the iPhone keyboard longer, it appear with other character options. E.g. ö, ü.
Weather - Instead of input city’s zip code, iPhone weather allows you enter city’s name and add to system right the way. Every time when you click this icon, it will automatically update most current weather and 5 days forecast for you. It’s very helpful information while you are traveling many different countries.
Clock - Clock gives your all cities’ current time around the world. The other great function is you can set an alarm by each city. For example, I had 3 time zones, Los Angeles, Taipei and Paris. I set an alarm on Los Angeles time 2:30pm. It will sounds even Paris local time is 8:30 in the morning.
Calculator - It’s a simple calculator. Good enough for you to convert exchange rate and doing simple calculation. I wish Apple can add a convector function which allow user to convert exchange rate and any other units.
Note - You don’t need a pen and a paper with you all the time anymore. You can input anything you need on Note. It’s quick and easy. I like the font the use in this function.
There are several icons which we use everyday already, so I don’t have to mention it again. This is a great phone ever. Every time when I pulled out my iPhone and use in each city’s train station, restaurant, etc. People who see my iPhone, they always ask me how is it. Sometime I don’t understand the language, but I can heard “iPhone” between the sentences.
Please feel free to drop a message if you have any other question regarding using iPhone oversea.
Sean
Los Angeles

Answer 1

Thanks for the reply. I got my bill couple days ago. I didn't know you guys will be interested on my bill
I RESET my usage before I got on airplane, I also wanted to prove if iPhone recorded all mins and kbs accurate. The result did show the iPhone did recorded very accurate.
Here is my bill detail:
$59.99 Monthly Charge.
$17.94 iPhone International Data Plan (AT&T per rate within your billing circle)
$ 2.97 International Traveler Saving Plan
$15.50 For 31 SMS (send and receive)
$59.40 dialing and receiving phone call (most of Europe discount rate is $0.99 per mins. iPhone usage showed 60 mins which is correct mins)
I am happy with what they charged me because at least I know the price is correct.
Since I used hotel free wireless, I didn't over use EDGE, so I didn't got any charge by data usage.
*TIPS - Bookmark the direction you search on Google Map. When you bookmark the maps even you don't have any internet service, you can still see the maps.
** DO NOT cancel your International Traveler Saving Plan and iPhone International Data Plan until they billed you. If you cancel before that billed you, you will be charge the normal rate.
I heard that you need to be at least 3 - 6 monthes AT&T customer to subscribe international plan, since I am AT&T customer more t han 2 years. It only tooks me 5 mins to subscribe both plans. (AT&T had to read you a long terms and conditions which you can't stop them). It tooks me 2 mins to cancel both plans.
Call AT&T before 2-3 days you leave U.S. Since they are going to per rate the plan. Also, they don't accept pre-subscribe. The day you call is the day they start charge you. You need to tell AT&T representative that you are going to subscribe International Plan because they have to transfer you to the international department. Regular customer service can't do it for you.
Any more questions?
Message was edited by: Fresh Blue