Prepaid Global Roaming SIM Cards

Original Article by John Dulane

In order to understand, let us look into the GSM classifications very briefly. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), is a world leading standard, first adopted in Europe and then spread through Asia, Africa and Australia, New Zealand, etc. GSM coverage maps are available for nearly all courtiers. It is a digital technology and uses Time Division Multiplexing methods in communication. There are three categories of GSM phones that are available: The dual band GSM phones operate on 900MHz or 1800MHz. These phones will not work with the service providers operating on 850MHz. The tri-band phones have operating frequencies of 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz bands. These phones will work around the world including North America, but will not work in places where the service providers support only 850MHz. The quad band phones, on the other hand, operates on 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHZ and therefore would work every where around the world with all the service providers. Therefore, for your international travel, it is necessary that your GSM mobile is a quad band handset for it to work world-wide. Or else, it should atleast support tri-band frequency ranges. If you do not own such a phone, you can always rent one for your travel abroad. Please visit www.planetomni.com/RENT_INFO.shtml for more details. A pre-paid SIM card activates your GSM mobile, without you having to enter into any contract with the service provider. It already has airtime credit included in it, when you purchase such a card. When you have reached the limit of your airtime credit, you may re-charge the card with re-charge vouchers, to extend your credit. The SIM card has a life expectancy of 6 months, after which a you need to purchase a new SIM card. With some service providers, this life expectancy of the SIM card can be increased indefinitely by keeping on recharging the card for your airtime credits. With the pre-paid global SIM card, you get the benefit of having the same number, which you can carry through your journey in different parts of the world. On top of that, the calls that you receive are free of cost, no matter where it is generated from. You save on the charges that you would need to pay for roaming, which you have incurred, if you would take your usual mobile with you. Further, it is doubtful whether your phone would work in the countries you visit, if you do not have a quad band handset. In this scenario, imagine the charges that you would pay to call your business associates or your family at home, from your hotel room. A pre-paid global roaming SIM card has that much saving for you. What do you generally get with your prepaid global roaming SIM card? A starter airtime credit. Free incoming calls. All outgoing calls at local rate. No roaming charge for international calls. International roaming in over 100 countries. A phone number which you can carry through any part of the world. Free incoming SMS. Voicemail.

There are no monthly or yearly charges and you dont need to sign any contract. For more information of how you can buy a prepaid global roaming SIM card, visit www.planetomni.com/FAQ_sim.shtml The main fact behind taking a prepaid global SIM card on your next trip abroad is the 'worry free' factor, which limits your expenses, which is not the case as in the case of your post paid services. These SIM cards can be re-charged for new airtime credits when-ever you need it. There are many countries, where the service providers allow incoming calls even if you have used up all your airtime credits, which become an important feature with these prepaid SIM cards. Further advantage is that, you avoid the process of credit checks and monthly bills, which becomes an easier way to control your expenditure on the use of your mobile telephone. A prepaid global SIM card is for those who is thinking of using his mobile overseas and do not want to pay the huge roaming charges by taking their GSM mobile along with them. Now, you can buy the SIM card before you leave home and also rent the GSM mobile that will work all over the world. Cell phone use overseas.

In 99% of the world the local cellular service standard is called GSM. We use this in the states as well. When combined with a SIM CARD (which usually goes under the battery of the phone) the phone is able to communicate and the SIM CARD also holds the telephone number and memory for pre-paid credit. Rates can be extremely low using this system. For example in 99% of all SIM CARDS incoming calls are free and calls to the states can cost a trifle. Such as, from the UK to the USA 7 cents/minute, from Israel 22 cents, from Australia 27 cents. Yes, USA Dollar cents! There are today even prepaid service providers in the USA offering rates of 10 cents per minute to call anywhere in the US to any type of phone. No contracts, no credit card checks, no bills. Pre-paid always means no minimums no contracts, no obligations. You only pay for the calls made. You'll need an unlocked GSM tri-band or quadband UNLOCKED phone. You can buy factory unlocked phones and sim cards for more than 170 or the 193 countries on earth from Planet Omni