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Roaming on U.S. carriers
Verizon: $25 per each 100MB when Gobal Data feature is activated. Exorbitant calling rates.
AT&T:
T-Mobile: Simple Choice plans (postpaid-only which requires credit pull, but you can cancel anytime) include unlimited data roaming at 2G speeds in 120+ countries. Calls between any of these countries are $.20 /min.
Sprint: - For some reason its a bit complicated - https://www.sprint.com/landings/openworld/index.html - http://www.sprint.com/landings/international-value-roaming/ - http://support.sprint.com/global/pdf/support/BizMultiCountryDataPack.pdf
intlroam.sprint.com
 


International SIM cards

Google Fi
All plans include coverage in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Unlimited Plus and Flexible also come with data in 200+ international destinations, and 5G in select countries for supported Pixel and Samsung phones. Try Fi for free: Test our coverage to see how we keep you connected. Our 7⁠-⁠day trial works right on your phone alongside your current service.

Toggle Mobile:
Covers the U.S., many European countries (though not Italy or Belgium), and Australia. Rates from these countries are £.03 to all USA and UK phones both mobile and landline, £.03 to landlines and £.09 to mobiles in many other countries, £.06 to Israel landlines and £.15 to Israel mobiles. SMS to most (looks like all) countries is £.07. Data bundles start at £5 for 500 MB in the UK and £20 for 1GB in the other Toggle countries. Incoming calls are free in 20+ countries.

SIMs can be ordered online and shipped free to many countries. You automatically receive a free permanent U.K. number. Before each trip you must register online for a local incoming number in the countries you are travelling to, which activates the roaming plan and lasts 30 days at no cost. You can pay £5 a year to keep numbers permanently.

Golan Telecom:
The 99₪ unlimited talk/text/internet/international calling plan, which also gives you up to 2 virtual foreign numbers, also includes for many countries (not all have launched yet) unlimited global data roaming (6GB high-speed), incoming calls & texts, and calls & texts to Israel.

Alternatively, Golan also offers a ₪29 per day data-only roaming plan which gives 100MB a day in these countries (all have been launched). These roaming options can be very useful for foreigners regardless of whether they need Golan for Israel.


VOIP calling apps

Vonage Mobile: Free calls to US/CA, very cheap int'l rates (see link). Uses your real number for outgoing caller ID, and also for incoming calls if you are a tmobile/AT&T customer and activate ReachMe roaming in the app.

Google Hangouts: Uses your Google Voice number over VOIP. Free calls to US/CA, very cheap int'l rates (see link).


Local SIM cards

Israel: See wiki on this thread.

Global MiFi
FreedomPop $10/500mb
https://www.freedompop.com/worldwide


eSims

See PlatinumGuys post for more info.

Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I was just mindblown. In 60 seconds online, I was able to buy a data package in a different country from Airalo and install it on my iPhone - keeping calls on the primary Verizon SIM and data on the Airalo eSim.

FWIW, they offer 15GB in Israel for $15 - and you can buy more easily online if it runs out, but I don't know which network Annatel resells

Airalo promo code FOUNDERS30 for 30% off up to $7 (I don't benefit in any way)

Another vendor is https://esim.knowroaming.com, I guess you have to compare destination to destination.
https://esimdb.com is a great database for vendors in different locations.

« Last edited by Suave on September 19, 2023, 07:25:51 AM »

Author Topic: International Sim Discussion  (Read 161713 times)

Offline kivabb

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #60 on: February 04, 2011, 11:31:05 AM »
I make outgoing calls (and receive incoming calls) from my laptop for free via G5/GV and have the phone just in case of an emergency incoming or outgoing call.

Thanks. Okay, so if I bring a laptop (Westin is saying they charge me 12-15 Euro a day) and I buy this G5/GV , I can make free calls but I still need to pay for Internet service? Where do I get these G5/GV ? Just need that and laptop and do I need other accessories to make calls?

Offline Dan

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #61 on: February 04, 2011, 11:34:33 AM »
Thanks. Okay, so if I bring a laptop (Westin is saying they charge me 12-15 Euro a day) and I buy this G5/GV , I can make free calls but I still need to pay for Internet service? Where do I get these G5/GV ? Just need that and laptop and do I need other accessories to make calls?
Free internet via a SPG Plat member..
Google voice is free.  Gizmo5 you can buy on ebay.  Most laptops have a built in mic, so no need for anything else.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #62 on: February 04, 2011, 11:54:22 AM »
Free internet via a SPG Plat member..
Google voice is free.  Gizmo5 you can buy on ebay.  Most laptops have a built in mic, so no need for anything else.

Buying now from Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gizmo5-SIP-VOIP-Premium-Service-/320649108913?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa82d1db1 .

So as a backup, any ATT GOphone takes a Sim card? I see on for $15 with free shipping.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+SGH-a107+-+GoPhone%C2%AE+-+Prepaid+-+Silver&q_sku=sku5070245#fbid=Td_gjasP7wc

Sorry for long urls.
Thanks Dan!

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #63 on: February 04, 2011, 12:08:03 PM »
Buying now from Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gizmo5-SIP-VOIP-Premium-Service-/320649108913?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa82d1db1 .

So as a backup, any ATT GOphone takes a Sim card? I see on for $15 with free shipping.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+SGH-a107+-+GoPhone%C2%AE+-+Prepaid+-+Silver&q_sku=sku5070245#fbid=Td_gjasP7wc

Sorry for long urls.
Thanks Dan!
No, that's not a world phone.
Search for gophone on the main site and I list there some world phone examples.  Plus you'll need to buy an unlock code for a couple bucks on ebay.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #64 on: February 04, 2011, 12:21:11 PM »
You can also just buy a world SIM.

How much are the rates for the Italian SIM?

Based on this site TIM rates are:

Calling within TIM network- EUR 0.10 ($0.14 USD)    
Calls to landline numbers - EUR 0.28 ($0.35 USD)       
Calls to other* mobile networks - EUR 0.28 ($0.35 USD)   
SMS text messages -EUR 0.15 ($0.21 USD) per message

To the US - 0.50 EUR ($0.60 USD)
To Europe - 0.50 EUR ($0.60 USD)
Intl Text - 0.30 EUR ($0.43 USD)

The SIM itself cost 10 EUR in Italy with 5 EUR calling credit, but if I get it by by these guys I'll pay $39...

What is  a world SIM?

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #65 on: February 04, 2011, 12:25:00 PM »
What is  a world SIM?

Exactly what it sounds like: A SIM that works (almost) anywhere there's GSM.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #66 on: February 04, 2011, 12:28:59 PM »
No, that's not a world phone.
Search for gophone on the main site and I list there some world phone examples.  Plus you'll need to buy an unlock code for a couple bucks on ebay.

Sale is over. Once I'm buying (just need for voice) , any point in spending more then bottom of barrel one as far as reception and reliability?

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #67 on: February 04, 2011, 12:31:55 PM »
Sale is over. Once I'm buying (just need for voice) , any point in spending more then bottom of barrel one as far as reception and reliability?

Just make sure you get a quad-band, or at least the GSM bands for the countries you'll be traveling to.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #68 on: February 04, 2011, 12:35:31 PM »
Exactly what it sounds like: A SIM that works (almost) anywhere there's GSM.

And it can connect it to any carrier like TIM, Rogers, Bezeq?

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #69 on: February 04, 2011, 12:37:03 PM »
And it can connect it to any carrier like TIM, Rogers, Bezeq?
Yes.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #70 on: February 04, 2011, 12:39:20 PM »
Yes.

Sounds like a plan. How much are these?

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #72 on: February 04, 2011, 12:46:58 PM »
The 5% promo code from my earlier post still appears to work.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #74 on: February 05, 2011, 08:21:08 PM »
Thanks, I'm going for this.

So which ATT phone are you getting that has GSM, quad band, can connect to TIM, Rogers, Bezeq (will I be able to use in Venice)?

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #75 on: February 05, 2011, 08:22:10 PM »
Are most phones and laptops universal voltages or do I need to buy transformers, etc....

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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #76 on: February 05, 2011, 08:26:51 PM »
Are most phones and laptops universal voltages or do I need to buy transformers, etc....

You can see from the charger/power-adapter (look to see what input it takes). I'd guess (most?) all can receive 220/240 volts, but you'll need a socket adapter for the plug, I might have one I can lend you. They sell them on trips as well, but you might pay 5€ or more.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #77 on: February 05, 2011, 08:41:49 PM »
Any decent hotel will have socket adapters for you if you ask for them.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #78 on: February 05, 2011, 08:43:18 PM »
Any decent hotel will have socket adapters for you if you ask for them.

Right, but not if he wants to plug in at the airport or something.
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Re: European And Israeli Sim Discussion
« Reply #79 on: February 06, 2011, 03:18:47 AM »
So which ATT phone are you getting that has GSM, quad band, can connect to TIM, Rogers, Bezeq (will I be able to use in Venice)?
I'll be using my (now unlocked) Blackberry Bold world phone, but as Dan said, you can get a much cheaper one from ATT.