Get a phone with a SIM card (GSM chip). [Note that “GSM” does not translate into GPS. We’re not talking about Global Positioning System here. GSM stands for “Global System for Mobile” Communications — or “SIM” card (“SIM” stands for “Subscriber Identity Module.”)] When you land, you’ll instantly have access to emergency service (the local equivalent to “911”), even with your USA-based chip. But prior to your departure, find a carrier in your destination land that sells “pay as you go” or “top up” or “non-subscriber service” or “PrePaid” GSM chips or SIM cards. These are tons better than the “roaming chips” that we previously recommended. Pay ridiculously low prices for these (for example, $4), buy a ton of cheap minutes, and call to the USA 10 cents/minute. This contrasts radically with USA-based-cell-carrier plans, which typically make you pay at least three times that much. (On one recent trip, between calls and emails, one group member managed to rack up $2000 on his smartphone in just one week. So if you’re going to try to use your existing homeland-based plan, please call customer service before you leave your homeland so you know exactly what you’re going to spend. In my experience, buying a local sim card will always be the best route. What’s more, it gives you a local number so local contacts can easily call you about schedule changes.
Any recommendations for those of us living abroad and visiting the US? I have an up-to-date smart phone (Note3) that I’d like to use in the US when I visit.
The options are confusing and not easy to sort out.
J, welcome to the USA. I think one of the easiest approaches is to visit one of our many “Walmart” type stores and pick up what’s called a “TracPhone” (prepaid throwaway deal). But some of the vendors we mention might have chips you can use here too.
I agree. Buy a sim card as soon as you can. Also have a designated place where you keep all your different country sim cards since they are so easy to lose.
I also would like to know what is suggested for a phone when in North America. I am particularly interested in Canada. It is stressful. You desperately need a phone right away when you land but it is all so complicated and expensive!
I am assuming you are in Canada for a short period of time? With an unlocked GSM phone?
No expert but here is my experience as a Canadian.
Koodoo has best balance and most flexible month by month packages (No contract). Best price with nice choices of a monthly package that works for you. Choose how much internet you need, how many minutes voice calls, and a favorite 5 numbers you register and can call unlimited Canada wide, and a text package.
Koodoo has a great online management system, easy to use. My sons and D-I-L all use Koodoo with A month by month package. As do My BIL and SIL in Toronto. Managed online and topped up online with their VISA. No Contracts. No paper. Change your package each month if you wish.
Or if only for a few weeks in Canada pay as you go everything at a flat user rate if you like. (But that adds up fast).
My Wife and I use Telus Pay-as-you-go on our Smart phones. Their pay-as-you-go long distance rates are terrible. 20 cents for local,
plus 40 cents for Long Distance. CRAZY.
However, we rarely makes Phone calls. We use our smart phones for text and internet Email etc) Telus has cheapest most flexible text options (250 texts mth for $5, 2500 for $10 $15 unlimited other companies only have unlimited text for $15) I rarely use more than 250 txts (That is seven a day) so only $5….. :-)
We then add the data we want (100mb 15-$20 500mg $25 or 1 gig month $35).
We rarely call anyone so we take the hit on the high free voice calls on pay as you go, as our cost adds up to much less money than a month package with any company.
Telus has monthly packages, Koodoo offers better, cheaper, with more flexible options .
Bell….My opinion is the lest flexible out there. Best system, but annoying to deal with if you have to call them. Most people I know have a love hate relationship with Bell… They are what they are. The biggest provider… But I know many people, myself included, who refuse to sign a cell contract with them (My home phone and internet is with them). Pay as you go would be different, but I refuse to go to them. Bell the best coverage, but = because Telus and Koodoo use BELL towers too – so same coverage, at cheaper rates.
Rogers has great Province wide no Long distance fees (Everything is local call) Maybe even Country-wide NO long distance at a fee.. (telus and Koodoo did not have this – or did not)
Rogers is a very good and competitive company with great service, great ease of managing accounts. However, Rogers has dead zones in Canada. Not many, but enough. Places they have no towers. If you are in populated places no problem. Rural areas.. have problems. Only draw back is this.
If you are in Ontario and around key cities… WINDMOBILE.ca is offering the best deals in the country. Hands down best package prices on Data. Their own network is in Ontario…. but they now are accessing through others towers in limited regions. But they have dead spots all over. Look at their coverage map and see where you are. We are all watching WindMobile users with envy. Big data on packages for great package prices.
Cell companies in Canada have some of the worst cell price rates in the world. the Gov is now forcing them to set reasonable limits on their fees now (PTL).
Hope this helps. Just remember with most providers, you need to go online and program you GSM SIMCARD online with your account BEFORE you plug the sim card in to your unlocked cellphone— OR THE SIM Card Goes Dead and you have to buy a new one.
That is how it was with TELUS anyway.
Hope this helps
Both my wife and I carry multiple SIM Card phones when traveling. We by local SIM cards when we arrive. If moving around in a region, or in a country that requires different carriers for the different locations you will be visiting, then the multiple SIM card approach is helpful. I currently have a three SIM phone with two cards whose networks each cover a number of African countries. I don’t use a US phone in travel – too expensive. But this all depends on your type of destinations and travel patterns.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back
to your weblog? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and
my visitors would certainly benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this okay with you. Regards!