Roaming vs Local Sims vs Other?

[browski]

Hi all,

Like most business people my Roaming charges are substantial. In the last year I have taken to carrying a second phone and purchasing a Local SIM in each country I visit. I'm currently up to 14 SIM cards and feel another solution is warranted. I use Skype and other VOIP apps when I have an internet connection for my laptop but I still require a mobile phone option. Is there anything new on the market? Maybe something where I can have just 1 mobile number and can recharge via the internet? Any tips on this matter would be welcome...........

 

[samh004]

You could use calling cards in the countries you go to, but you'd still need local SIM's. It'd be cheaper for you though. I have about 6 SIM cards and find it's the best method, just keep them with your passport and other travelling documents so you don't forget them.

Trouble is if you are away from a country for an extended period of time the number may be deactivated and then you'd need to start again. Especially troubling if people know your number and then it doesn't work.

 

[SeaWolf]

What areas are you travelling in? If you're mostly in the EU you might be able to take advantage of the new, fixed roaming rates set by the EU parliament:
EU reaches agreement on lower roaming rates - Telecompaper

 

[Shano]

Deleted......

 

[albatross710]

What areas are you travelling in? If you're mostly in the EU you might be able to take advantage of the new, fixed roaming rates set by the EU parliament:
EU reaches agreement on lower roaming rates - Telecompaper

I assume you SIM/service would have to be with a EU domiciled carrier to get the capped rates. Any clarification on this?

 

[wallacej]

what about the phones that allow 2 sim cards to be installed. I think i saw an ad in the DJ inflight mag last month? Not a solution, but even domestically i carry two phones- a real pain
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[samh004]

what about the phones that allow 2 sim cards to be installed. I think i saw an ad in the DJ inflight mag last month? Not a solution, but even domestically i carry two phones- a real pain
Posted via Mobile Device

Well as long as you have a phone that's completely unlocked it's not a problem anyway. Personally I'd never buy a phone that locked me to a specific country or provider.

And with this post, 100.

 

[futaris]

I would stick to local SIMs in the country, since it allows in-country people to contact you easily. Most countries have 365-day expiry SIMs.

That combined with a VoIP call-forwarding and/or callback system works wonders. I personally use PennyTel. When I was in NZ last weekend, I could call using the prepaid SIM at 89c/min to 15 countries. Alternatively, call 70+ countries at VoIP rates using the SmartDial service, for $2/60mins for the Vodafone to DID, and 8c/call.

 

[SeaWolf]

I assume you SIM/service would have to be with a EU domiciled carrier to get the capped rates. Any clarification on this?

Yes, unfortunately you need a EU sim and to be travelling in another EU country to benefit from this capping. Still if you were regularly in the EU, it'd certainly be a HUGE benefit to get a local EU sim and then not have to change it as you travelled around.

 

[spunkarooney]

I always by a local SIM on arrival. It is always cheaper than roaming and allows locals to contact you on a local number. For the official list of providers, see GSM Coverage Maps

You can always check SMS on your Australian number by way of a 2nd mobile or by swapping the SIMs once per day.

For countries I visit frequently I have post-paid and pre-paid services so the minute I arrive I am up and running.

The only time it may pay to not buy a local SIM is where you roam to a country with arrangements under the 3 Like Home program and your Australian provider is 3.

 

[adamonline]

Here are a few options that I got from a recent article from The Age for cheaper roaming SIM cards

TravelSIM Australia - International SIM for travel
ekit, Home
RoamingSIM - Roam More For Less With RoamingSIM

Haven't used any of them but you can read the run down at
Using your mobile phone overseas cheaply

I guess it has the benefits of being billed in AUD but no local roaming phone number for people in your visiting country to call (although RoamingSim permits choice of number from 50 countries). Might work for those mostly making calls and visiting many different countries.

 

[spunkarooney]

Here are a few options that I got from a recent article from The Age for cheaper roaming SIM cards...

Those “articles” were nothing more than advertisements. I wonder what the arrangements were.

I stand by my comments re local SIMs as being a better choice.

 

[adamonline]

Those “articles” were nothing more than advertisements. I wonder what the arrangements were.

I stand by my comments re local SIMs as being a better choice.

Agreed. It was almost Today Tonight in a written form.

For price I don't think local SIMs will ever be beaten as that is where the most competition will be.

 

[millesm]

I have heard that Vodafone will be offering a better priced roaming deal when you are on the Voda network anywhere in the world.

Not sure about specifics or timings, but it's come from a UK and an NZ source confirming the same concept.

Other than companies being able to make lots of profit off us travellers, I'd have thought that a global telco like Vodafone would have done something clever like having a global roaming deal years ago. One can only hope.

 

[spunkarooney]

I have heard that Vodafone will be offering a better priced roaming deal when you are on the Voda network anywhere in the world.

Not sure about specifics or timings, but it's come from a UK and an NZ source confirming the same concept.

Other than companies being able to make lots of profit off us travellers, I'd have thought that a global telco like Vodafone would have done something clever like having a global roaming deal years ago. One can only hope.

Whilst such a move by Vodafone would be good, it is long overdue considering that Vodafone has its own networks (and affiliates) in many countries. For all these years Vodafone has been milking its customers dry.

Regardless of what is announced it will undoubtedly remain cheaper to buy a local SIM. This will be my preferred choice in every instance.

We cannot live on a hope and a dream.

 

[JohnK]

Thailand is the only country I visit regularly and I have a local sim card as it is cheap and offers cheap phone calls. In all other countries I try to get to a local calling card and use this to call home.

Otherwise if you travel a lot maybe this company can provide the right solution for you.

PhoneCallMall

 

[browski]

Well on my current trip covering 8 countries, I have road tested the e-kit product. Not really for the once-a-year tourist or if you only travel to one or two countries. But for the frequent multi-country traveller.........my opinion - it is now essential.

• Cheap. Most countries about US$0.29/min. Slightly more expensive than local sims but way cheaper than int'l roaming. I combine this mobile option in conjunction with using Skype (when you are online with your laptop)
• One phone number. No need to line up at the phone kiosk at every new country. No need to fwd to everybody my new phone number (which will only be for maybe a week)
• Convenient. Recharging is via telephone or internet (no need to race to the 7-11 etc when credit runs out.) Free for people to call me (but I pickup a $0.39 "per minute" charge).
• Reliable, clear. I find it a more immediate and solid connection than my intl roaming number (maybe a propellerhead can explain why this might be so?) Tells you the remaining minutes for each call at the beginning of the call (handy, because on arrival in a new country, the call charges may e different, and so the remaining minutes will be different.).

Impressed. Joins the Apec Card, the NAB Gold Banking card (no int'l ATM or forex charges), and the Creative Zen Stone plus as essential items in the travel kit.
Just one man's opinion.

 

[serfty]

Well on my current trip covering 8 countries, I have road tested the e-kit product. Not really for the once-a-year tourist or if you only travel to one or two countries. But for the frequent multi-country traveller.........my opinion - it is now essential.
...
Just one man's opinion.

Thanks for that; what was the specific E-kit product you employed and what were the start up costs?

ekit, Home

 

[browski]

Hi Serfty, I've got the Passport Service ekit, Mobile Info

I'm still not sure if the the Passport Plus service is any better. I will be tweaking the service upon my return. There is not too much difference between the 2 types though.

Both get 2 sim cards, although the US sim is only good in the US. The UK number works everywhere else. I pretty much only ever use the UK number.

They both cost about AUD $75 plus about $15 shipping. It comes with UD$10 credit but you can buy additional credit in blocks of US $10, $30, $50, $100, $150, $200.

 

[spunkarooney]

Nothing beats getting a local SIM. That's where the competition is, that's where prices are reasonable.