Joni Blecher, a.k.a. the Cell Phone Diva, wants to answer all your questions about cell phones, service plans, and wireless connectivity. Send her a question!

Bon voyage
Q: I am going to New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia for five months and would like to take a cell phone. Can I buy any unlocked GSM phone through an independent retailer, such as eBay, and install a SIM card when I arrive in these countries?
--Jonathan

A: First, you need to make sure that you'll get GSM service in the places you plan on visiting. The best way to do this is to check this resource from GSM World. Once you're sure you'll have coverage, you'll need to pick a phone that supports all of these networks--GSM 900/1800/1900--and verify that the phone is indeed unlocked before you purchase it. From there, all that's left is packing your passport and getting a SIM card when you arrive at your destination.

Mac attack
Q: So many phones, so little time--I want a smart phone that can interface with my Mac G5 running OS X 10.3. Would the PalmOne Treo 650 with Sprint service or the HP iPaq h6315 with T-Mobile service be a better choice? Which of these services is best for clarity is also a question. Please help me, your Divaness.
--Annabelle

A: Where to begin? The carrier? The device? The usability? I'll start with what's missing. Since you're looking at such bulky units, which are more PDAs than talking devices, I'm thinking that the phone part of the equation is not a huge concern. If you want a phone with smart functionality, I would tell you to consider another operating system: Symbian. Although there aren't a ton of Symbian models in the United States, I would argue that there are at least as many as those supporting the Palm OS.

Next, you need to think about your Mac. What will work with it? For a list of phones that work with the Mac OS, check out iSync on Apple's Web site. Clearly, of your two choices, the Treo will probably be better. Finally, as for Sprint or T-Mobile service, this has to do with where you live and where you'll be using the service most. As I tell everyone, ask the people in those areas what they think of their own service. After a little informal investigating, there will be a clear winner.

Homeward bound
Q: I recently purchased a triband Siemens MCT62 cell phone from T-Mobile in Germany and was told that this phone will work in the United States. How do I get the SIM lock off while I'm stateside so that I won't be charged European roaming? Or will this phone work in the States?
--Jason

A: If it is indeed a triband phone (GSM 900/1800/1900), it should work here. The SIM card in that phone is probably not unlocked, so you'll need to check with your carrier in Germany. They should be able to give you the unlock code for free or for a small fee. You can get it by calling the customer care line. Once you get to the United States, you should be able to purchase a prepaid SIM for the phone and be all set.

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