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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 161684 times)

Offline MeirS

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #480 on: August 27, 2014, 06:58:33 PM »
I'm going to HUCA.  FYI - the $240 was to buy out my contract.
That makes sense. If you want to transfer to a different provider and you're in the middle of a contract they will charge you to buy it out, but if you just want to unlock the phone and continue paying your monthly bills they should do it for free. These are 2 very different questions.

Offline scr

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #481 on: August 28, 2014, 04:21:35 PM »
I called back and was told the phone could not be unlocked. I kept pressing, and they told me to go to ATT.com/deviceunlock.  There I filled out a form to request unlocking. I submitted the form.  This AM I got back an email with instructions on how to unlock the phone.  B"H.

Offline MeirS

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #482 on: August 28, 2014, 06:50:45 PM »
I called back and was told the phone could not be unlocked. I kept pressing, and they told me to go to ATT.com/deviceunlock.  There I filled out a form to request unlocking. I submitted the form.  This AM I got back an email with instructions on how to unlock the phone.  B"H.
#NeverGiveUp

Offline Sport

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #483 on: September 05, 2014, 07:36:30 AM »
Anybody know where I can get a SIM card that'll work in Poland, only need it for 2 days.

Offline sruly101

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #484 on: September 05, 2014, 07:38:40 AM »
Anybody know where I can get a SIM card that'll work in Poland, only need it for 2 days.
I stopped at a gas station took an Orange sim included 1 GB + credit for talk, for peanuts

Offline Sport

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #485 on: September 05, 2014, 07:40:26 AM »

I stopped at a gas station took an Orange sim included 1 GB + credit for talk, for peanuts
Thanks and is it easy to set up? This is for someone not so tech savvy.

Offline sruly101

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #486 on: September 05, 2014, 07:46:01 AM »
Thanks and is it easy to set up? This is for someone not so tech savvy.
I didnt need any setup, it said in big on the package what you get (it was in polish.. but u get it..)

Offline syp5

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #487 on: September 05, 2014, 10:36:37 AM »
Did you need to put in  the APN settings?

Offline SearchGuy

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #488 on: September 17, 2014, 03:28:14 PM »
Gonna be visiting Melbourne Bangkok and Tokyo, any suggestions on a SIM card?

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #489 on: September 18, 2014, 06:45:26 PM »
I think this topic sorely needs a wiki, where everyone can contribute any specialized knowledge they may have about the best options for particular countries/regions. I have started with what I use, please add whatever you may be familiar with.

Offline SearchGuy

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #490 on: September 18, 2014, 09:22:10 PM »
I think this topic sorely needs a wiki, where everyone can contribute any specialized knowledge they may have about the best options for particular countries/regions. I have started with what I use, please add whatever you may be familiar with.
thanks

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #491 on: September 28, 2014, 10:18:55 AM »
Going to be in eastern Europe (Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, etc.) in a few months and would like to understand what my options are for cell service... my AT&T service will prob charge me an arm-and-a-leg... suggestions welcome...thanks in advance...

PS- Sorry for the cross-post - can't delete the thread i just created - mods please help...

Offline Emkay

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #492 on: September 28, 2014, 11:17:07 AM »
Going to be in eastern Europe (Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, etc.) in a few months and would like to understand what my options are for cell service... my AT&T service will prob charge me an arm-and-a-leg... suggestions welcome...thanks in advance...

PS- Sorry for the cross-post - can't delete the thread i just created - mods please help...
For how long? What about tmobile?

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #493 on: September 28, 2014, 11:27:09 AM »

For how long? What about tmobile?

Only for about a week - guess Tmobile will work.  $.20 per minute for voice calls back to US? 

Make sense to set-up week before I leave and cancel right when I get back? Do they hit you with activation/early term fees?  What am I missing here?

Offline lubaby

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #494 on: September 28, 2014, 11:42:07 AM »
Only for about a week - guess Tmobile will work.  $.20 per minute for voice calls back to US? 

Make sense to set-up week before I leave and cancel right when I get back? Do they hit you with activation/early term fees?  What am I missing here?
No. T-mobile has none of that stuff.
You will need to sign up for a plan that costs $50 for the month though.

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #495 on: September 28, 2014, 02:04:30 PM »

No. T-mobile has none of that stuff.
You will need to sign up for a plan that costs $50 for the month though.

Will they prorate for 2 weeks if I only need it short term? Or am I out the $50 for the whole month?

Offline Emkay

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #496 on: September 28, 2014, 02:05:08 PM »
Will they prorate for 2 weeks if I only need it short term? Or am I out the $50 for the whole month?
Whole month

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #497 on: October 04, 2014, 11:11:38 PM »
Will they prorate for 2 weeks if I only need it short term? Or am I out the $50 for the whole month?
$50 + tax.  They will hard pull your credit.

Offline SearchGuy

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #498 on: October 04, 2014, 11:16:37 PM »
$50 + tax.  They will hard pull your credit.
What if I freeze my ex?

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #499 on: October 04, 2014, 11:27:29 PM »
Going to Belgium for a week what's my best option data a most phone optional..I use att have an unlocked phone
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.