iPhone or Blackberry and Int'l roaming

Factual Questions
1

I have a legally unlocked iPhone (purchased in the Czech Republic where they are not locked).

I need a way to do email over 3G or normal mobile connections from as many places as possible for a flat data rate if at all possible. I know TMobile has a deal for a Blackberry of unlimited data for $20/mo, but is there any better option - esp one for the iPhone?

Requirements:

  • email over mobile/cell signal
  • web browsing over mobile/cell signal including https
  • decent database options - my current database is in Filemaker
  • ability to sync/import/export to Mac
  • works in as many places as possible: difficult ones will be Iran, Pakistan, China

I am trying to avoid having to carry a laptop and look for wifi during a 2-3 month overland trip from Tehran to Shanghai… and other similar trips.

Thoughts?

2

Almost every country uses GSM , so at worst your going to be limited to gsm, gprs, or edge.

The one that I should mention is that the iPhone is a powerhog, unless you can tether it to a cigarette lighter in a vehicle and have power adapters for the normal recharger , you might as well have gone for the laptop.

You might want to look into a satelite hookup

Declan

3

This doesn’t help your question but China has 3G. GSM/GPRS is available almost everywhere with notable exceptions in Japan and Korea.

Test out living off of your iPhone sans laptop for a while to see if you can live with the limitations.