iPhone 4S "world phone" capability on which carrier(s)?

[scorpionleather]

So I hear the iPhone 4S will be a "world phone" supporting more radio infrastructures. This is great for my upcoming international travels. But my question is - is this going to work just as well internationally on ALL of the carriers? I plan to sign up either with AT&T (my existing carrier) or Verizon if that's better for international compatibility. What about international data?

 

[nebo1ss]

Quite honestly the only change in regard to travel is that Verizon users can now use the phone GSM when travelling. ATT users have always been able to travel with their phone.

 

[MaxBurn]

I think all the carrier locks will still apply in the US unfortunately.

For an unlocked phone the options open up a bit now though. Don't know how the CDMA switching on/off works though.

 

[eastercat]

Even apple support people don't seem to know about the unlock, from someone's conversation with online support.
So far it looks as though, one won't be able to jump from sprint to at&t easily, which is a bit disappointing. However, I'm hoping a jb will rectify this.

 

[KyleC]

I am wondering if all of the phones will be unlocked, I want to use my AT&T upgrade but be able to use other sim cards overseas.

Hmmm

 

[rpungello]

I'm definitely getting one on Verizon, and I hope they allow your to use it with GSM microSIM cards without having to buy the unlocked version, but I'm guessing I'm gonna be out of luck on that end. Would be a nice surprise if it was able to roam on GSM though.

 

[MaxBurn]

I am wondering if all of the phones will be unlocked, I want to use my AT&T upgrade but be able to use other sim cards overseas.

Hmmm

I'm definitely getting one on Verizon, and I hope they allow your to use it with GSM microSIM cards without having to buy the unlocked version, but I'm guessing I'm gonna be out of luck on that end. Would be a nice surprise if it was able to roam on GSM though.

Everyone wants this even if they don't realize it.

 

[Mojo1]

Using an iPhone when you travel can be expensive for both cell minutes and data roaming.

The least expensive way to go is to turn off everything but WiFi and use Skype. The last time I was in Europe for two weeks I used my iPhone for local and long distance calls and to check my voicemail every day and it cost around $5 in Skype credit. I shudder to think what it would cost me if I had used the cell phone and data plans...

It's a fact that you won't be instantly available but is that really necessary when traveling?

 

[SavMBP15]

Yesterday they said that the phone is both CDMA & GSM, however the unlocked version of it will only be GSM which offers zero benefit to an international traveler. The only winner is Apple since they are only offering one phone to all the carriers.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4/about_unlocked?mco=MjU1NTY3OTE