International travel with Razr Maxx

[jkc]

Just finished a 10-day trip to Germany. Powered down phone in USA, arrived in Germany, popped in local SIM card, powered up phone - could not find service. Switched to GSM, rebooted phone, had no further problems at all (did not use data - voice only). On return to USA, powered down phone in Germany, put Verizon SIM back in and powered up phone in US on landing. Had to switch back to LTE from GSM and everything worked fine. Got all my email, texts, app updates, etc. No issues at all and they certainly did not deactivate my Verizon SIM.

Thanks to all the previous posters for the info.

 

[TisMyDroid]

Thanks jkc for this great info...and welcome to DF. It is great to know how well and seamlessly this phone will work going overseas and back again. Very cool!

 

[leonoe]

I'm new to the forum and joined because of this topic, which has been extremely helpful!

I'm due for an upgrade and the Droid Razr Maxx HD is on the top of the list because of its global capabilities. Based on everything I've read, its seems that with the ICS upgrade, I can switch out SIM cards when traveling outside of the US and it does not require any unlock codes from Verizon. All I need to do when entering the US is pop my Verizon SIM back into the phone and it should work as normal. I know this topic was started for the Droid Razr Maxx but can I assume that it also applies to the HD version as well? Just looking to confirm if anyone has experience...

Thanks

 

[SometimesWelsh]

Concise reply on using a UK sim in a US razr maxx with complete success? (with data)

So, since the VZN RAZR Maxx has been updated to ICS for a good while now, I'd like to get a solid explanation from someone who has used this U.S. device in the U.K on a local pre-paid microSIM with success. Both voice AND data in the U.K. on a "3", Orange, O2 or Vodafone sim.

I would like to use mostly data when I'm on travel in the UK and Europe, so this information is most important to me, rather than just voice service usage.

Specifically, I'd like to know if you did the following?

1. Powered down the Verizon RAZR Maxx while in the U.S.
2. Purchased a prepaid microSIM with a U.K. carrier once there, installed sim and powered it on.
3. Did you have to get the VPN/APN settings from the carrier shop? Because there are prepaid SIM vending machines at LHR that won't provide that info, so is there a way to get the correct APN/VPN settings on the web ahead of time? (This is apparently needed in order to use data overseas on a compatible sim plan)
4. Did everything work fine there?
5. I imagine you have to power back down in the U.K. before boarding the plane, remove UK sim, replace with original VZN sim and power back up once in the U.S. again. Did the VZN service work without a hitch? Did you have to change back the VPN/APN settings? This is important to me because I have a grandfathered unlimited data plan that I don't want to mess with.

Thank you, and I look forward to a response that will put this to bed, once and for all.

 

[beefchopper]

I have only tried to use a US phone (successfully) in Italy using a local sim card purchased there and not in the UK so can't answer your questions first hand. I did find this, though:

Vodafone
APN (contract): internet
APN (PAYG): pp.vodafone.co.uk
Username: web
Password: web

Orange
APN: orangeinternet
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank

O2
APN (contract): mobile.o2.co.uk
APN (PAYG): m-bb.o2.co.uk
Username: web
Password: web

T-Mobile
APN: general.t-mobile.uk
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank

Three
APN: 3internet
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank

Tesco Mobile (uses the O2 network)
APN: prepay.tesco-mobile.com
Username: tescowap
Password: password

Virgin Mobile (uses the T-Mobile network)
APN: goto.virginmobile.uk
Username: user
Password: leave blank

BT Mobile (uses the Vodafone network)
APN: btmobile2.bt.com
Username: bt
Password: bt

ASDA Mobile (uses the Vodafone network)
APN: asdamobiles.co.uk
Username: web
Password: web

see also: International APN Settings for Mobile Broadband Network Operators - for GSM/GPRS sensors from HW group

 

[SometimesWelsh]

VERY, VERY helpful! Thank you so much for the APN settings for each carrier!!

Now just waiting on a response from someone about the rest of the info requested.

Thanks, again, beefchopper!

 

[beefchopper]

See also: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=osatek.apn.global&hl=en

 

[SometimesWelsh]

See also: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=osatek.apn.global&hl=en

This is great, thanks! I'll go add that to my tablet now :biggrin:

 

[beefchopper]

This is great, thanks! I'll go add that to my tablet now :biggrin:

On another thread someone is saying that there is no way to enter a foreign APN into the Verizon version of the phone, at least while in the US. I don't know if this is true but want to give to that heads up in case I've mislead you.

 

[bsweetness]

On another thread someone is saying that there is no way to enter a foreign APN into the Verizon version of the phone, at least while in the US. I don't know if this is true but want to give to that heads up in case I've mislead you.

It's true on a non-rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 2 (I wouldn't have posted it in the Note 2 forum if it wasn't true).

But that post was about the Note 2. The same doesn't necessarily apply to the RAZR MAXX, which is what this thread is about.

 

[SometimesWelsh]

It's true on a non-rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 2 (I wouldn't have posted it in the Note 2 forum if it wasn't true).

But that post was about the Note 2. The same doesn't necessarily apply to the RAZR MAXX, which is what this thread is about.

No, no, that was never a concern for me. In the steps I outlined, entering a foreign APN would be needed after I got into the country outside the U.S. I'd just really like to know how someone did with a Verizon device while using it as a GSM phone on a UK sim while in the UK...both data and voice usage, not just voice. I realize that depends on the type of prepaid SIM plan you get and putting the correct APN settings in once there.

How well did it do? Were the steps you had to take any different than the numbered steps I outlined in my original post? Do I need a heads up? Was it a simple transition back to VZN with your original sim card? Did you have to restore your original APN settings? That's what I'm waiting for now.

 

[bsweetness]

No, no, that was never a concern for me. In the steps I outlined, entering a foreign APN would be needed after I got into the country outside the U.S. I'd just really like to know how someone did with a Verizon device while using it as a GSM phone on a UK sim while in the UK...both data and voice usage, not just voice. I realize that depends on the type of prepaid SIM plan you get and putting the correct APN settings in once there.

How well did it do? Were the steps you had to take any different than the numbered steps I outlined in my original post? Do I need a heads up? Was it a simple transition back to VZN with your original sim card? Did you have to restore your original APN settings? That's what I'm waiting for now.

I know that wasn't a concern for you. It was a concern raised by beefchopper, and that's why my post was a reply to beefchopper's post.

In response to your concerns, I never used my MAXX in the UK, and since you're looking for someone who has specifically used the phone in the UK, that's why I haven't responded your particular questions. But I did use the RAZR MAXX internationally several times in several countries. It worked great, and I never had any problems getting it up and running with data or voice. And getting it working on Verizon again was as simple as putting my Verizon LTE SIM back in the phone. This thread has several accounts of the same. There really shouldn't be any differences with using it in the UK outside of the APN for the carrier you're using. Hopefully someone can come along and confirm that for you, but with the way unlocked GSM devices work, there really shouldn't be a difference. :biggrin:

 

[westtown8]

Not exactly what you're asking for but....

No, no, that was never a concern for me. In the steps I outlined, entering a foreign APN would be needed after I got into the country outside the U.S. I'd just really like to know how someone did with a Verizon device while using it as a GSM phone on a UK sim while in the UK...both data and voice usage, not just voice. I realize that depends on the type of prepaid SIM plan you get and putting the correct APN settings in once there.

How well did it do? Were the steps you had to take any different than the numbered steps I outlined in my original post? Do I need a heads up? Was it a simple transition back to VZN with your original sim card? Did you have to restore your original APN settings? That's what I'm waiting for now.

I am travelling to the UK and Ireland this summer and I emailed Verizon customer service with this same question. They replied with

"The Droid RAZR MAXX is a global capable device once it was updated to the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The device is unlocked which means that when you are outside of the United States in a country that uses the GSM network, you can use a foreign carrier's SIM in your device. Please keep the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE SIM card to put back into your phone when you are done using the third party SIM."

So I haven't tried it yet but I know who to blame if it doesn't work.

 

[TisMyDroid]

That is actually encouraging that Verizon now admits that a foreign SIM card will work. Initially they were saying that it was only capable with a Verizon international plan.

To answer your question, yes...once you come back to the US, putting in your Verizon SIM card will put you back into service with Verizon.

Sent from my XT907 using Droid Forums

 

[SometimesWelsh]

That is actually encouraging that Verizon now admits that a foreign SIM card will work. Initially they were saying that it was only capable with a Verizon international plan.

To answer your question, yes...once you come back to the US, putting in your Verizon SIM card will put you back into service with Verizon.

Sent from my XT907 using Droid Forums

I agree that this is encouraging. There was a lot of misinformation and confusion among VZN agents. It should be noted, however, that there are specific steps you must take (in order) to have the phone work properly overseas. I imagine my numbered list is probably accurate, as far as changing the APN once you're there and the new (micro)sim is in the phone so you can use data... if the sim card includes data.