HELP! Droid Pro user traveling in Europe...phone capability lost

Hello forum...

I started a two month trip in Europe last week. Upon my departure, I signed up for an international data package so that I could catch up on email and use my phone's gps to navigate the areas I visit. I have had numerous issues since arriving, most dire is that I have absolutely no phone service whatsoever....there is a red circle and slash through the bars at the top of the phone's display.

I have been through customer service already. They have confirmed that I am on the data plan. They have confirmed that my SIM card is valid. I actually had service for a short time after that (2 days), but then the phone went dead again. At present, I am only able to use the phone through my hotels' wi-fi networks....but never is there any wi-fi available to the phone outside of these secured, password protected connections. I wouldn't be able to even make an emergency call if I needed to as the phone will make no calls whatsoever.

I have run out of ideas. I have gone through the phone's settings and everything checks out: wifi is enabled, data roaming is enabled, networks are set to global (gsm and CDMA do not work...the phone cannot find any available). The sim card number in my phone matches the number on the card.

I am close to simply suspending the account at this point, but ideally, it would be nice to have the phone's capabilities available to me. After all, I did purchase this phone with this trip in mind. Funny thing...I am writing this from my iPad sitting in a hotel in Turkey. The iPad has no plan yet works perfectly in spots where I can find wi-fi networks to latch onto. Only thing is...I don't want to carry it around with me everywhere I go.

Thanks to anyone who may have ideas for my problem!

Accepted answers

xiaofeng

The Verizon sales associates recommend activating the phone for international roaming the day before leaving the country while you still have Verizon service. *228 and pushing 2 to confirm roaming takes a minute or two minutes for success. Roaming allows you to use Verizon's partner networks outside of the U.S.

I unfortunately do not know how to activate international roaming for your phone since it is outside of the Verizon network. From what I know, at this point, you cannot make calls using Verizon's partner networks in Europe with your Verizon SIM. So that is the reason your phone is not working.

However, with the Droid Pro, you have the alternative to unlock your phone. If you call Verizon global services (908-559-4899), they can provide you with an unlock code. This will allow you to use your mobile device with another SIM card such as a local cell phone service provider. This is good for calls around Europe, and incoming calls are free.

Good luck!

Helpful links:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/DROID-2-by-Motorola/Unlocking-Droid-2-Global/td-p/365596

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim_card

All comments

xiaofeng

Since it's not mentioned in the original post, I was wondering if you have the roaming icon on the top of your screen? The roaming icon is a blue triangle signaling that your phone is picking up networks in the area. Also whenever you open your phone, the unlock screen should say, "roaming" near the top. If there is no roaming icon or the word "roaming," did you activate global roaming? (*228, etc, etc)

Right now I am in Asia, and I have a Droid 2 Global (so I have global capabilities as well). Right now roaming is on, and I can connect to CDMA networks here. I've made calls, and I've received calls as well as texts.

Sgontram

Xiaofeng-
Thanks for your reply. I have tried to use *228 to activate my phone, but since the phone is incapable of sending or receiving calls, no activation can be made. The phone simply says there is a problem with activation and says for me to call customer service (which I find funny, as there is no way for me to call customer service without a signal).

I have a blue wi-fi signal when I sign in on a hotel network, but besides that, nothing...especially not the word "roaming".

Again, thanks for your response.

xiaofeng

Good luck!

Helpful links:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/DROID-2-by-Motorola/Unlocking-Droid-2-Global/td-p/365596

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim_card