I was wondering if Amsterdam uses the same sort of mobile network as the UK. So would any (unlocked) phone that works in the UK work over there, or would it have to be a tri-band?

I'd obviously need either a new SIM or there'd need to be some sort of partner system in place, as there is with T-Mobile (although it costs £1/min to make or receive a call, so buying a new SIM would probably work out cheaper after a call or two).

if you have an unlocked uk phone then you can just buy a dutch sim card here in the city. if the phone still needs unlocking there is a small shop between nieuwendijk and damrak where they will sort you out for about 10 euro.

doog!

withnail

Cool. Thanks for the info.

I've never had any trouble using my UK mobile in the Netherlands.

Thanks for the confirmation Flexgr.

what is a locked phone? and how do you unlock it? can this be the same with USA phones?

A locked phone is one that will only accept one carrier,s sim card only,for example-Cingular.It,s almost guaranteed if you get the phone from a carrier,s store or through their online site ,it will be locked to use their sim cards.To unlock one is simple,just do a Google search for cell phone unlock and you,ll get plenty of services .They range in cost from free for a Nokia to around$50 for some NEC phones.I unlocked 2 Nokias,1 from AT+T,1 from T-Mobile and i use Cingular on 1 and Telfort -Holland on the other,no problems

Hi y'all.
My phone's a payg on Orange and it just swaps to NL telecom (or something) as I get off the plane. Didn't have to tell Orange beforehand, but this may be different for other operators.