This topic is in conjuction with my previous thread about phone cards, payphone surcharges, and how to get the cheapest rates.
The Ultimate way to keep in touch for world traveler’s
Option 1 -
Buy a SIM card, but problems arise with expensive roaming charges. I bought a Tmobile SIM card in Los Angeles. Excellent value in America, but in Canada the rates toped 75cents/minute, and in Europe there wasn’t even any service - not even a partner network. I had to beg them to extend my remaining credit for when, or if I ever returned to America. They gave me any extra 2 years to use $60 of prepay leftover. Also, SIM cards are expensive - upto 50dollars, and sometimes a new card is needed for each successive country/region/or continent. One way around this is the WORLD SIM card. A SIMcard that never needs to removed, as it works on the World GSM network.There are a few choices online, but I can’t remember who is offering what, and what the prepay rates are. Maybe somebody can post that here?
Option 2 -
The problem option. Phone cards, bought online, thoroughly researched and compared on sites like comfi dot com, and timedial dot net, (anyone know any other similar sites). Problems arise with connection, maintenance, taxes, payphone, and other hidden fees, and surcharges. Calling mobiles from payphones can cost over a dollar/call. That’s totally unacceptable for an unemployed world traveler. Some of these cards have amazing per minute rates, though shadowed by 99cent payphone surcharges, which makes even a call that’s 5 cents/minute total over a dollar to make. I think I said that already, but it’s a big losing point, and almost makes me want to buy a SIM. One remedy to the payphone surcharge is using phone cards, from landlines, other people’s phones, or at lucotarios (the Spanish term for businsses that cater to travelers’ communicatuo needs (Internet, fax, phone booths (NOT payhones), etc…). Using phone cards at these locations cancels the payphone surcharge, and a local call to a mobile wouldn’t cost more than 10 cents/minute. That’s VERY acceptable.
Option 3-
Used in conjuction with option 1, or 2, Skype, and webcallDirect offer excellent, and free rates to landlines across the world, and mobiles are usually under 20cents/minute to popular destinations. There are no connection, tax, maintenance, or payphone surcharges here. No downside to VOIP calling whatsoever. Only problem is it’s not mobile, and you know how mobile world traveler’s can be. You have to be in front of your laptop to use it.
Option 4-
Is there an option 4? I hope that’s what this thread will answer.
