No matter where you travel abroad these days, keeping in touch really is simple with Vodafone. With agreements in over 105 countries, more than any other UK mobile network provider, Vodafone has the highest level of international coverage for business and for pleasure.

When you're abroad you can rely on Vodafone and our international partners to keep you in touch with your colleagues in the office and your family and friends at home. So no matter where you go, you have the flexibility and accessibility to remain in touch with the office and home.

What's more, taking your mobile phone with you means you can avoid the inconvenience of unfamiliar phone systems and phonecards, as well as costly hotel phone bills, but still have the option to make important phone calls when and where you want.

And the cost of staying in touch? It doesn't have to be expensive. With services such as Vodafone's Text Messaging, RespondPlus and Divert Immediate, international communication becomes a cost-effective and affordable option for all.

And for your added peace of mind, we've employed all the latest technologies to make sure you're on the most reliable and secure network available - wherever you happen to be.

'What do I need to do before I go abroad?'

First ask our customer service department, which you can contact on 0870 908 8444, to activate Vodafone's International Service. Any bars on your handset must be lifted before you travel, otherwise you will not be able to make or receive calls.

Check out the Roaming Table to make sure your phone will work at your destination.

If you use data services (GPRS/3G), also check the GPRS/3G roaming table to ensure your destination supports data roaming.

'How do I use my phone when in the USA and Canada?'

Most mobile networks around the world, just like Vodafone, operate on the GSM 900 band. But when you're visiting the USA or Canada, you'll need a phone that operates on the US standard GSM/PCS 1900 (this will work in most major US and Canadian cities).

A new generation of phones is now available that operate automatically on different bands. The Motorola Tri-band TimePort and the Ericsson i888 WORLD phones are the first to work on the GSM 900 and 1900 bands, to offer simplicity and convenience when you're travelling to one of over 1000 towns and cities throughout the USA and Canada. With one of these handsets it simply means that whilst you are in the UK you will make calls on the Vodafone network and when you travel throughout the world you will be able to switch on your phone and make calls wherever Vodafone have an agreement.

'What happens when I arrive?'

If there is more than one network, your mobile phone will normally automatically pick up the strongest local network. Occasionally, you may have to select a network manually or you may want to select a different network from the one automatically displayed on your handset. To do this please refer to your handset manual.

International Dialling

When making international calls to a fixed line phone in a different country, use the + key instead of 00 before the international country code - for example, +44 instead of 00 44 when calling the UK. Also, remember to add the correct international code when dialling fixed line numbers stored in your phone's memory.

All call charges from foreign mobile networks will be passed directly to 3g comms in the UK. Call charges will be subject to variations and will be billed in pounds Sterling. An important point to note is that you will pay for part of any incoming calls received whilst abroad.

Making Calls While Abroad

Back to the UK
Insert +44 (instead of 00 44) and drop the 0 in the STD code. Dial the rest of the number as usual.

Local Calls to Fixed Line Numbers
You need the local dialling code but not the international dialling code. You will then be charged just like any local mobile user (plus a small Vodafone handling charge)

Mobile to Mobile
If the person you are calling has a UK based mobile then you will need to insert +44 (omit the 0 and then dial the mobile number), wherever in the world the call is generated or received. E.g. you may be calling from France to a UK based mobile number currently in Australia +44 836 900901. However, if the person you're calling has a foreign based mobile number, the same principle applies and you need to dial the international code for their country. E.g. a German based mobile number currently in New Zealand would be +49 (Germany), omitting the 0 and then the mobile number.

Other Countries
Key + then the country code you wish to call - drop the 0 - then the STD code followed by the number of the person you wish to contact.

Collecting Messages While Abroad

Recall
When a message has been received you will be notified by a text message which will inform you that 'Recall has xx new message(s)'. This is provided that both your phone and the international network you are using support Vodafone Text Messaging.

To listen to your messages, simply scroll down your phone's display screen using the arrow keys until the 'sender number' appears at the end of the message. The 'sender number' is your personal mailbox number.

When the sender number appears in the window simply press SEND. As soon as you hear the greeting, press 9. Enter your security code when prompted. (Default security code 3333 or 9999). Your messages will then be replayed. For security you must change your security code from the default.