Local and international SIM Cards: reworded SIM explanation
← Older revision
Revision as of 06:02, 2 April 2015
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Local pre-paid (sometimes known as "pay as you go") SIM cards are often a much cheaper alternative to roaming.
Local pre-paid (sometimes known as "pay as you go") SIM cards are often a much cheaper alternative to roaming.
−
A SIM is a card which is inserted into an
existing unlocked
UMTS or GSM handset (often under the battery)
,
allowing
the
handset
to
work
with
a
local
carrier
's
network
with
a
local
prepaid
telephone number
.
(
CDMA handsets
are
not
required
to
accept SIMs
.
)
The
card
itself
is $10–50, depending on carrier; some include a small amount of prepaid airtime (typically no more than half the face value of the card).
+
A SIM is a card which is inserted into an UMTS or GSM handset (often under the battery)
.
It
is
necessary
on
GSM
phones,
where
it
provides the handset
's
identity
as
seen
by
the
network
.
In
CDMA handsets
the
functionality
was
integrated, but most now
accept SIMs
(or the R-UIM or CSIM variety
)
.
With
a
local SIM the phone – unless locked to the original carrier –
is
treated like a domestic one, with a local telephone number. Prepaid cards cost
$10–50, depending on carrier; some include a small amount of prepaid airtime (typically no more than half the face value of the card).
No account setup, credit card numbers or bank accounts are necessary. In some countries, passports or IDs are necessary (to reduce use of phones by criminals); a handful restrict purchase of mobile numbers by non-residents.
No account setup, credit card numbers or bank accounts are necessary. In some countries, passports or IDs are necessary (to reduce use of phones by criminals); a handful restrict purchase of mobile numbers by non-residents.
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The card itself is packaged as a debit card-sized piece of plastic from which one can break out a smaller chip card in one of three sizes (mini SIM, micro SIM, nano SIM). The chip is the same, there's just less plastic frame around a SIM in the micro- or nano- size versions used by a few late-model Apple gadgets. Check which size your device expects before you buy.
The card itself is packaged as a debit card-sized piece of plastic from which one can break out a smaller chip card in one of three sizes (mini SIM, micro SIM, nano SIM). The chip is the same, there's just less plastic frame around a SIM in the micro- or nano- size versions used by a few late-model Apple gadgets. Check which size your device expects before you buy.
−
A local SIM
is
one more number
which
needs to be distributed to your contacts; if you intend to visit many countries it may be easier to obtain a service which can be call-forwarded cheaply (such as a Voice over IP provider), distribute that number to your contacts and forward its calls to your local mobile phone/SIM when you enter a new country.
+
A local SIM
means
one more number
that
needs to be distributed to your contacts; if you intend to visit many countries it may be easier to obtain a service which can be call-forwarded cheaply (such as a Voice over IP provider), distribute that number to your contacts and forward its calls to your local mobile phone/SIM when you enter a new country.
−
US-network SIM cards are sold by multiple vendors in Canada; Roam Mobility issues a T-Mobile prepaid SIM which can be activated for as little as one day a year, while Telgo.ca issues a similar AT&T prepaid SIM. These cost $
3-5
/day, depending on whether you want mobile data or just voice.
+
US-network SIM cards are sold by multiple vendors in Canada; Roam Mobility issues a T-Mobile prepaid SIM which can be activated for as little as one day a year, while Telgo.ca issues a similar AT&T prepaid SIM. These cost $
3–5
/day, depending on whether you want mobile data or just voice.
−
Another alternative is an international card; these usually allow free or cheap ''incoming'' calls in a significant number of countries and offer relatively cheap ''outgoing'' calls via an automatic callback service. Their phone numbers are usually based in the British Islands or [[Estonia]]. There are many different ones available, so shop around; the cards sold at airports may not be the cheapest. This avoids multiple changes of numbers.
+
Another alternative is an
"
international card
"
; these usually allow free or cheap ''incoming'' calls in a significant number of countries and offer relatively cheap ''outgoing'' calls via an automatic callback service. Their phone numbers are usually based in the British Islands or [[Estonia]]. There are many different ones available, so shop around; the cards sold at airports may not be the cheapest. This avoids multiple changes of numbers.
===SIMs and Unlocking===
===SIMs and Unlocking===