UChicago faculty, students, and staff may need to use their cell phones while traveling abroad or make international calls from home. International calling rates vary based on your cellular carrier. Before you make international calls, whether inside or outside the United States, please determine what call package, if any, you have with your phone carrier, and determine which package would provide the best cost benefit. This will prevent unexpected and costly cellular roaming charges.
Read the following for answers to your most common questions.
All International calls can be placed using the + function; It is strongly recommended that you dial + (using the actual + sign), country code, city code, and number.
Example:
If you cannot access the + sign using the 0 (zero) key, please refer to your device manufacturer's instructions on how to utilize the + sign. For more details including international long-distance rates and country codes, please visit the AT&T website.
Yes, but unfortunately not all devices will function in all regions. Use the Wireless Travel Guide to find out if your device works where you need it, with the features you expect, such as data and text messaging. Refer to the AT&T International Travel Guide for more information.
AT&T World offers cost-effective packages to meet your needs. Please Please refer to AT&T international travel packages for more information.
Using data while roaming internationally is usually very expensive without a data plan.
You can dial + (using the actual + sign), 1 (country code), area code, then the phone number.
Example:
All international calls can be placed using the + key. It is strongly recommended that you dial + (using the actual + sign), country code, city code, then the phone number. Should you have difficulty using the + key, you can dial the international access code, country code, area code, then the phone number.
Example: If you are calling the United States of America (USA) From France, you would need to dial 00 (international access code), 1 (country code), then the area code, then the phone number (e.g., 561.123.4567) to call back to the USA. Using this method requires you to know the international access code of the country you are in. On occasion, the dialing patterns shown below followed by (country code + area code + phone number) are used to call back to the USA while in that country.
Sending a text message is simple. Just type a message of up to 160 characters using your keypad, simply enter + (using the actual + sign), 1 (country code), area code then the phone number.
Example:
Simply, enter the + sign, country code, city code, then the phone number (e.g., +44.20.12345678). Accessing text message mode varies by device and manufacturer. Should you need additional instructions, please visit our Using Your Device website.
To retrieve your voicemail messages when roaming outside the USA, press and hold the voicemail retrieval key (typically the 1 key) on your wireless phone, then follow the prompts. Your screen may display your voicemail retrieval number. This number will differ from your wireless telephone number. When accessing your voicemail, you may be asked to re-enter your wireless number. Doing so will play your voicemail greeting. If this happens, interrupt your greeting by pressing the STAR (*) key. You may be prompted to enter your voicemail password. This is the password you selected when you first set up your voicemail. Calls to the voicemail system from your wireless phone when roaming internationally are billed at international rates.
Note: When accessing your voicemail, you may notice that the number on your display is different than your wireless number. This number is the Voicemail Retrieval number. Quite often, the area code will differ from your wireless number's area code. This is normal and will not result in additional long-distance charges. Standard airtime and any applicable roaming and toll charges apply to Voicemail Retrieval and Return Calls from Voicemail. If your wireless number appears in the display, your phone should be reprogrammed with the Voicemail Retrieval number. Please contact Customer Service (611) while in the USA or International Care (+1.916.843.4685) while roaming internationally.
Visit the Verizon website for more information.
If you can't place a call from your Verizon wireless device, reach Global Support toll-free from any landline phone using these Calling Card Dialing Instructions: