There is no reason to keep using your carrier’s roaming services. These may be convenient but the exorbitant price is hard to justify, especially when you can find much cheaper solutions elsewhere. For example, a lot of travelers have discovered that the can save a fortune by just switching to a global SIM card for their overseas communications. With a single tool, they will be able to make calls just like a local would. They will be recognized by the partner networks and be charged much smaller amounts than usual. Here’s how to use a global CIM card:
Get an unlocked phone.
Before you can use this, you must have a phone that is not locked to any network. This can be tricky in places like the US where carriers tend to subsidize phone purchases in exchange for a 2-year contract. This handsets are typically locked into the service provider so it will not recognize other networks. If you travel frequently, then getting a second phone still makes sense as long as it is cheap and practical. You could also try having your old phones unlocked. Turn your garbage into gold.
Insert the SIM card.
It would be ideal if you can get a phone with two SIM slots. This lets you put the global SIM inside, as well as another SIM that you might like to carry with you in case of emergencies. Have both loaded so you can contact loved ones whenever you need to. If you prefer to use just the global SIM, then have the empty slot carry a microSD card filled with your favorite tunes or videos for personal entertainment. Close the slot and turn the phone on to verify that the device recognizes the card.
Enjoy low-cost calls.
Once you get to your destination, you should be able to make local calls and messages at low rates. This is great if you are traveling with companions as you can all call each other after splitting up to shop at a mall, jog at a park, go around the airport, and so on. You can also call back home without any issues. The signal will be clear and reliable. The cost will be negligible. Go ahead and stay in touch as much as you want. You can also surf the web and use data-heavy apps without worries.
Global SIM cards make travel cheaper and more enjoyable.
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