DON’T DO IT!
I just heard from a client that they shut off their I-phone and took it for one week of travel in case of an emergency. Even though the phone was off, it constantly searches for a signal to check e-mails. They never used the phone or turned it on, but it keeps roming and the bill was over $5,000.00 USD. for one week. NO B.S.
So, first thing you need to do is read your contract and call your provider and ask all the details on shutting off your phone and what the charges are for using your phone. Even though you find FREE wifi, will you still be charged for minutes on your phone and romming charges. What are the fees if you forgot to shut off your phone after a night of drinking and drunk phone calls home to your friends. Get their answers in writing and let us know what you find out.

That is why I am going to take My sim card out, without it, it basically is just an Ipod Touch with no connection to a cell network. Is that what your client did or did he just simply turn the power off?

This post from the Pub may help: http://www.eurotrip….

i work for Rogers wireless in Canada so maybe I can help.

(If you keep your sim) Call in before you leave and disable your 3G / EDGE data network. This will enable you to use your phone for emergencies to make calls if you need to, but your phone will not be able to roam for data. You technically CAN do this on the phone itself, but to be safe, I would disable data on your ACCOUNT through your provider. Most data roaming is 5cents / kb which adds up tremendously. I have seen thousand dollar roaming bills.

BUT it is great for the wifi as long as your 3G has been disabled.

GREAT APPS: There are numerous Frommer’s apps such as Frommers Paris and Frommer’s London which cost 99cents from the appstore. They have listings of restaurants with reviews, hotels, bars, attractions and the best feature; OFFLINE maps. They enable you to pull up city maps without a data connection – very handy.

If visition the UK get the Underground App. It has all of the rail / tube maps in deatil as well as train times and stops.

There is also a very neat Rome app that has each of the statues, museums and sights each with a photo and a writeup on the history. It’s like a travel guide on the IPhone.

Hope this helps!!