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Nothing beats the convenience of having a mobile
phone or cellphone in Croatia, a statement
that millions of Croatians would agree with. Many companies handling
sporting activities like diving, windsurfing or kayaking are practically
unreachable on fixed lines and if you'll be staying
in private accommodation you'll be nearly unreachable on
a fixed line.
Here's what you need to know about cell phones in Croatia:
- Croatia is on the GSM 900/1800 frequency which
means that most American phones are not compatible. Americans
travelling in Croatia need to equip themselves with a GSM 900/1800
phone before leaving or upon arrival.
- If you do not have a GSM 900/1800 phone, there
are three alternatives:
- You can buy a compatible GSM phone before
you leave and you should buy a phone that is "unlocked".
That means that all you need to do insert a SIM card into your
phone. There are several companies that specialize in international
cell phones.
- You can rent a GSM 900/1800 phone before you leave.
Many companies provide this service now and they even deliver
the phone to you before you leave but watch out for the hidden
extras. In most circumstances you would do better buying
a GSM phone that you can use on your next trip.
- You can buy a complete cell phone package from
one of the two providers below that will
include the mobile phone, SIM card, phone number etc. There
are a number of promotional packages and a bewildering array
of possibilities but the lowest rate is currently about 398HRK
(about $50). Naturally, you can only buy these packages in Croatia
and this solution is only practical if you will not be visiting
other countries as your phone number will be in Croatia.
Also note, that the instructions will be in Croatian.
- There are two local cellphone networks
in Croatia: Vipnet
(091) and T-mobile
(098). Each has excellent coverage that includes about 98%
of the country. Each company sells SIM cards, mobile
phones and prepaid packages that include the cellphone
and SIM card. Where are their stores? Oh, just about EVERYWHERE
as Croatians have become cellphone crazy. The stores are open long
hours and you'll always find someone on the young staff who speaks
fluent English.
- Croatia has a "caller pays" system.
You do not pay to receive calls on your cellphone. If you call a
mobile phone in Croatia from a fixed line the charge runs from about
0.50 to 1.50HRK per minute depending on the network and the time
of day.
- If you do have a GSM phone you can use it in
Croatia
- if you set it up for international roaming. This
is an expensive way to make and receive calls as you pay two
companies: your home cellphone company and the local Croatian
network. If you do choose international roaming, you may need
to set it up before you leave home. Check your user's manual
for how to select a local network.
- if you buy a SIM card in Croatia.This is
the cheapest alternative. Each of the local cellphone networks
above provides a start-up package that
includes a SIM card, phone number, user manual etc. for about
120HRK.
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