Topic Wiki

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 161718 times)

Online gozalim

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #180 on: May 20, 2012, 02:27:15 PM »
to turn off touchscreen when the phone is close to your face. so you don't 'cheek-dial' mid call

Offline sruly101

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #181 on: May 20, 2012, 03:19:01 PM »
does anyone know about prepaid BBM in the US for a few weeks ?

Offline smart brit

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #182 on: May 24, 2012, 12:07:22 AM »
I'm looking for international prepaid micro sim cards that have good data deals looking for Uk, Switzerland, Hungary, Israel, and Spain if anyone has an idea I would appreciate it
Thanks 

Offline AsherO

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #183 on: May 24, 2012, 02:50:16 AM »
does anyone know about prepaid BBM in the US for a few weeks ?

T-Mo prepaid is $40/month for 100 voice minutes and unl text/data and includes BB data (which is a $10 attachable, included in the $40).
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Offline sruly101

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #184 on: May 24, 2012, 07:31:00 AM »
T-Mo prepaid is $40/month for 100 voice minutes and unl text/data and includes BB data (which is a $10 attachable, included in the $40).
thanks

Offline miles

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #185 on: May 24, 2012, 01:00:49 PM »
T-Mo prepaid is $40/month for 100 voice minutes and unl text/data and includes BB data (which is a $10 attachable, included in the $40).
this is for us only ?

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #186 on: May 24, 2012, 01:04:25 PM »
this is for us only ?
Yes.

T-MO has int'l BIS for $19, but I believe it requires a post-paid line.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #187 on: May 31, 2012, 02:34:07 PM »
Dan or anyone else having some tech issues. I got my Onesimcard and unlocked my wifes droid 3. I then changed the mobile network to gsm so it runs off the simcard and not off vzw's network. but the phone isnt picking up any GSM  network so i cant make any test calls or anything does anyone have any advice

Offline Dan

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #188 on: May 31, 2012, 02:36:01 PM »
Which GSM bands does the phone have?
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.

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #189 on: May 31, 2012, 02:38:54 PM »
Which GSM bands does the phone have?
no idea how do i check

Offline Dan

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #190 on: May 31, 2012, 02:47:27 PM »
no idea how do i check
From a quick google search it seems that it is quad band but VZW blocks the domestic GSM bands from use, though they can be unblocked: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1406812
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.

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #191 on: May 31, 2012, 02:53:11 PM »
From a quick google search it seems that it is quad band but VZW blocks the domestic GSM bands from use, though they can be unblocked: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1406812
so basically it wont work here but it will work when i get to europe?

Offline Dan

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #192 on: May 31, 2012, 02:53:43 PM »
so basically it wont work here but it will work when i get to europe?
It should.
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.

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #193 on: May 31, 2012, 02:54:35 PM »
It should.
but there is no way for me to test this out

Offline Dan

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #194 on: May 31, 2012, 02:57:03 PM »
but there is no way for me to test this out
Try the link I posted.
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.

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #195 on: May 31, 2012, 03:00:05 PM »
Try the link I posted.
that link requires rooting the phone which i really have no interest in doing

Offline Dan

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #196 on: May 31, 2012, 03:00:43 PM »
Well then you have you answer :)
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.

Offline myb821

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #197 on: May 31, 2012, 03:01:31 PM »
Well then you have you answer :)
im not sure that really answers my question

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #198 on: June 03, 2012, 06:37:40 PM »
im not sure that really answers my question

but there is no way for me to test this out

Your question just became your answer.  :P

Offline Galitzyaner

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Re: International Sim Discussion
« Reply #199 on: June 11, 2012, 06:09:12 AM »
The main advantage are free incoming in most countries of the world and decent rates wherever you are in the world.
I'm sure in every country you can optimize with local sims, but you have to add the convenience factor.
I don't use it for data, really just use it for phone calls to places while out and about.

For data I try to find wifi or just use it in the hotel and make calls when in wifi via GrooveIP for Android.
I've used GrooveIP and I was also told by others who've attempted to use GrooveIP in Israel and the world over, that the voice connection is horrible, and that people cannot hear what your saying. So..., what on earth then is its use?

Dan, sounds like you haven't had such experience any idea why?

(could it be because you have the "paid" app?  ;))