Communication Headquarters' Guide to the Best International Cell Phone Rates

IN THIS GUIDE:

 - Get the Best Rates on an Overseas Cell Phone 

- About Unlocked, Quad Band GSM Phones

 - Using Local and International Pre-paid SIM Cards

Cheapest Rates are Local Rates:

To get the best rates with an international travel cell phone, buy an unlocked, quad band GSM phone and use a local or international pre-paid SIM card with it when you travel outside the country. This is how the majority of people in the world use their cell phones and it is simple.  This method gives you the same rates locals pays, often free incoming calls, and low international rates.

• The best rates are local rates

(For more information visit our website at www.communicationhq.com)

Here is a quick guide on what you will need to use a cell phone in Europe and many other parts of the world.  If you will travel outside the United  States twice, even to Mexico or the Caribbean, it is worth buying a GSM phone and keeping it with your suitcase.  By the time you rent a cell phone two times, it is cheaper to have purchased one.

About GSM Phones and SIM Cards

A GSM phone is a phone that uses a SIM card to determine the service provider.  Cingular and T Mobile phones use GSM technology and their phones have their SIM cards installed in them.  Usually SIMS are in the back under the battery. 

If a GSM phone is "unlocked", it means that the phone with function with a SIM from a phone company different from the one it was sold with; using a T-Mobile SIM in a AT&T iPhone, for example.  Replacing the SIM changes the carrier with whom the phone has service.  Therefore, changing the SIM also changes the rates charged and the phone number associated with the phone.  GSM phones are different from phones such as those used with Sprint or Verizon because GSM phones can change service providers by switching the SIM card.  IF the phone is SIM-unlocked.  Verizon and Sprint phones are not GSM, do not use SIM cards and will not function overseas.

Most phones sold by T-Mobile and AT&T are sold locked because they offer a good price on the phone and don't want you to use it with the competition.  Physically, you can put a T-Mobile SIM in a locked AT&T phone, but when turned on, the phone will display an error message and won't function because it is electronically locked to only function with a AT&T SIM.  Make sense?

Get an Unlocked, Quad Band GSM Phone

But don't worry about locked phones from US carriers because many of those phones don't work on the GSM frequencies needed to use a phone outside the US.  The best GSM phone to buy is one that is unlocked and quad band.  This means it operates on all four of the GSM frequencies used in the world and it will function will a SIM from any phone company.  An unlocked quad band GSM phone gives you maximum versatility and where and with whose service you use your phone.

Most Versatile International Cell Phone for Travel Abroad

• GSM - uses SIM cards
• Unlocked - functions with any SIM card, not just the SIM the phone came with (not accepts, functions)
• Quad band - four frequencies are: 850/1900 MHz US and a few places, 900/1800 MHz most other countries

It's possible your phone from AT&T or T Mobile will work, but be sure it meets the criteria above.

Buy Local (Foreign) SIMs in the U.S. or Use an International SIM

The way to save on international cell phone us is to buy a pre-paid SIM card from a phone company in the country you will be visiting. These SIMs can be purchased in the US and local SIMs can sometimes be purchased overseas.  Be aware though, that if you buy SIMs overseas there might be residency requirements, you will not get your phone number until you arrive and the instructions will be in the local language.  It's costs a little more to buy a SIM in the US, but considering you get the number in advance (usually) and the instructions in English, it's often worth it. 

Click the highlighted link to search eBay for our National Geographic International Roaming SIM.

If visiting multiple countries, buy an international roaming SIM card.  The international roaming SIM gives you one number in all countries and keeps you from having to buy a new SIM in each new country.  International SIM rates are still usually cheaper than roaming with a US phone or renting a cell phone.

How Pre-Paid SIMs Work

This is the easiest part.  Pre-paid SIMs start with a monetary balance on the account.  As you make calls, the charges are deducted from the credit available based on the per-minute rates.  Rates will vary depending on the carrier's policies, whether local, to a local cell phone, or international.  The rates are included with the SIM card packaging.  In almost European and Western countries, incoming calls are free.  This is subsidized by a charge for people calling mobile phones - it is known as Calling Party Pays.  If your European pals are always asking you to call them on their cell phones, you'll know why when you get your bill.

When your call credit gets low, you drop by any convenience store or newspaper stand and buy a little scratch off voucher from the same company as the SIM in your phone.  Enter the secret code from the voucher into the phone's automated top-up system, and the voucher's credit is added to your account.  It's a free call to check your balance and to add more credit.  It's like getting gas in your car and something millions of people around then world do everyday.  If you don't want to stop frequently, buy a large denomination card, such as a 50-Euro.  But any unused credit is sacrificed to the phone company if not used.  Most SIMs expire six months to one year from date of last credit recharge.  Read the terms and rates for each SIM you use.

Multi-Country Trips

For trips to more than one country, it is easier to use an international pre-paid SIM card that works in many countries.  United Mobile has a product called the Ring card (or used to be called that) that gives you free incoming calls all over Europe and it is less than $0.50 a minute for outgoing calls to Europe or the US (when used in Europe).  It works in a total of 100+ countries. 

The pre-paid international SIM a great product for travel to more than one country.  It keeps you from having to buy multiple SIMs and changing phone numbers and rates in each country.  It provides seamless roaming from door to door.

Compare to Traditional International Cell Phone Rentals

Click here on Cell Phone Rental Europe to go to the About Me eBay page of Communication HQ.  On that page, we compare this method with renting a cell phone or roaming with your US cell phone.  There is also a list of FAQs regarding the United Mobile Ring International Pre-paid SIM card.