Verizon Wireless said Wednesday its stores have begun selling a phone from Samsung Electronics that was designed to work on mobile networks around the world.
The U.S. wireless venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc introduced the phone so that Verizon customers can begin use Vodafone's network services when they travel in Europe and Asia.
Verizon, which uses a different network technology than Vodafone and most European operators, told Reuters in June it had begun selling a world phone to business clients and planned to start selling to consumers in a matter of months.
Verizon, which had originally expected to begin selling an international phone by the end of last year, said Samsung's A790 phone was available in stores for $349.99 with a two year customer contract.
It will charge consumers $1.29 per minute to make calls in most countries outside of the United States.