Bermuda - Cell Phones, Etc.

Can you take your cell phone with you? Well, yes you can, provided you have a compliant cell phone. Cell phone use has gotten a lot easier over the last couple of years. Most manufacturers build GSM (Global System for Mobiles) technology into their equipment as a matter of course, especially in Europe. In the US, all one needs is the properly-equipped cell phone, a call to your provider and a request for the international dialing option, and you’re ready to go. The international dialing option will cost you nothing: the roaming service, however, can be quite expensive – anywhere from $1 to $5 per minute. If your phone is not "international capable," you can always rent one from your local provider before you leave. It’s not cheap – usually $40 to $50 per week – and then you’ll also have cough up for airtime, at least $1 per minute.

Most of the national providers – Verizon, AT&T, etc. – offer cell phone rental by the week. Other options in the USA include Roadpost (% 888-290-1606) and InTouch USA (% 800-872-7626). In the US, if you’d like to find out if your cell phone will work in the Bermuda, call 800-872-7626 or go online to www.intouchglobal.com. Tell them where you’re going and when, and they will give you rates. The good news is: if you happen to own a Sony Ericsson, Motorolla or Samsung, your cell phone probably IS world-capable, but just to be sure check with your provider.

Much happier news for visitors from Europe: all of your providers use the GSM system, so you should be able to take your instruments with you. Better check on the rates, though. You might be in for a shock when you return home. For residents and long-term visitors, cellular service is readily available on the islands, but rather more expensive than you might be used to. At the time of writing, activation is just $10. However there’s also a daily access charge of $5.

Peak-time minutes (7 am-7 pm) cost 60¢; off-peak minutes, 35¢. For cellular service while on the island, you’ll need to contact BTC Mobility (Telco’s cellular arm) about a week before you leave home. You can have your bill charged to Visa, MasterCard or American Express. If you’re visiting Bermuda by private boat or yacht, call BTC for activation when you get within 50 miles of the islands. 441-292-6032, www.mobilityltd.bm/main.asp.

Cell phones can be rented by the day in Bermuda for as little as $2 per day. The rates are quite competitive: day and night ‘air time’ use for local calls is 60 cents a minute and there’s no charge for the extra services provided (call waiting, voice mail etc). Calls to the UK, USA, Canada are an additional 50 cents a minute, ie: 110 cents a minute. International calls to the rest of the world are only one dollar per minute. Contact Robin Henagulph, P.O. Box 110, Devonshire DV BX, Bermuda or by phone 24 hours at 441-232-2355, fax 441-236-1827 or visit www.bermudacellrental.com.

Know Before You Go!