Renting a cell phone is often the best option when it comes to making the international connection

LIMERICK, Ireland (CNN) -- These days, some people seem almost physically attached to their cellular telephones. But when headed overseas, the traveler's best electronic friend probably won't be compatible with international systems.

Renting a cell phone is often the best option when it comes to making the international connection.

"In the last few years we've seen an explosion in cell phone technology," said communications expert Jeff Kagan. "You can now swipe your credit card through a vending machine and have a cell phone pop out of the slot."

Some companies will even deliver phones to your door before you leave town.

"So you have your phone number, which you can then give to your colleagues and your family, and when you arrive at your international destination, you hit the ground running," said Eric Lobel of Global Phoneworks.

But will the phone work? CNN's Stephanie Oswald traveled across the Atlantic to King John's Castle in Limerick, Ireland, where she connected via Global Phoneworks with CNN Center in Atlanta in less than 10 seconds.

And returning the rental is easy.

"The traveler puts the phone back in the box that we provide and with the pre-addressed courier envelope gets returned to us," explained Global's Jonathan Gratch.

Of course, all this convenience comes with a price. An informal survey of a few phone rental companies showed that air time rates varied for a one-minute call between London and New York.

The Parker Company charges $1.60 per minute, while Global Phoneworks and WorldCell International each charge $2.76 per minute. WorldCell had no set-up charge, however, while Parker charged $30 to set up the international account.

The lowest rental fee CNN found was Global Phoneworks at $40 per week, and the highest was WorldCell International at $75.

It does pay to shop around. Some cell phone rates are competitive with hotel phone costs, or even your own calling card.

Based on a report from CNN's Business and Travel and Beyond. The segment appears Monday through Friday on Daybreak at 5:30 AM (ET) and on Early Edition at 7 AM (ET). BT&B also airs Sundays on the World Today at 10 PM (ET).

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Related sites:

• WorldCell International Cellular Service
• Global Phoneworks

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