An Observation about ekit SIM cards if you plan on using them in the USA.
 

BTW be careful here.....you want the simple plus us card it seems and you want to order it on ebay.....the ekit web site charges $69 for the same exact card which costs $9 on ebay.

ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa are the Ebay accounts of Ekit themselves (US and UK offices I think), so there's no extra risk ordering from those Ebay usernames. The trickiest thing is to make sure you order the right card.

Previous discussion:
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/inte...it-review.html
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/inte...s-uk-sims.html

Ebay sites:
http://stores.ebay.com/ekitmobileusa
http://stores.ebay.com/ekitmobile

I have limited International needs - a trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks, one to Greece a couple of months after that. Want to use my Verizon Touch Pro 2. I purchased a Celtrek SIM with $45 credit about 2 weeks ago, got a U.S. number, tested it out, and thought I was good to go. Starting last week, however, it appears that they may have bit the dust, so I'm back to square one...

I'm interested in EKit - and as you point out, there is a multiplicity of cards and options, which given my limited experience and needs, makes this a tough thing to sort out.

I've contacted them through EBay, but no response yet, asking what card/plan would be appropriate for my situation. As per above, I want a U.S. number so family can call if they need, and reasonably inexpensive rates to call U.S. from those 2 countries. Don't need a large amount of minutes, as we'll just touch base from time to time.

I don't want or need Data, Texting might be worthwhile if cost-effective.

Any recommendations on a specific EBay EKit product to purchase for these needs?

Thank you.

Either the Simple Plus or the Passport.

Here's the Passport:
International World SIM card with free Incoming calls! - eBay (item 130287597538 end time Mar-10-10 02:24:46 PST)
Free incoming via your UK number in both Costa Rica and Greece.
Full Passport rate info: http://ekit.com/ekit/MobileInfo/Serv...rt_dual/#rates

Simple Plus info: http://ekit.com/ekit/MobileInfo/Serv...us_dual/#rates
(I didn't see this one on Ebay, but I didn't look too hard.)

Many thanks. The first one looks like the best option.

What is the track record for Ekit, in terms of the likelihood of their going belly-up, like Celtrek apparently has just done?

I think I remember your post in Howard Forums. And I was one of those that recommended Celtrek and also mentioned that you check out this forum. Unfortunately, the global sim market is very dynamic right now. There are too many players offering the same thing and the market just cannot sustain them all. So, a lot of them will fall by the way side, especially as carriers (mostly in the EU) continue to reduce their roaming rates.

Have you looked into Telna mobile at all? I did not see Costa Rica on their list of countries though. They only charge you monthly (your credit card) when you use it and they also give you a US number. I guess that is what their $19/yearly fee covers. And that is the only up-front cost, since they have free shipping in the US. There are a couple of threads about telna in the forums here, so you may want to check them out.

Here is their website: telna Mobile - Low cost cellular service for international travelers(international sim card for reduced roaming for inbound and outbound calls while abroad)

They've been around since 1999 (probably just calling cards in the early days) and are Australian-based. Which gives them more of an international spread of operations compared to some of the European providers who are battling the EU's reduction in roaming costs.

But no company is immune from problems, so what I liked about the sims was that they cost me only $9 + shipping with about $10 in balance on them, and the minimum online recharge is only $10, so not a great deal to lose. I have a couple of the US/Canada only sims (no longer sold, but still work fine).

Thanks for the replies. I had a look at telna, and no, they don't seem to include Costa Rica, so that's not a good option for me.

I'll give Celtrek another day or two to resurface, and will probably go with Ekit. $20 plus another $10 or so in additional balance, so it's not a fortune.

Since I never got to use the Celtrek SIM I'm going to contact my Credit Card about refunding the charges if they don't come back to life.

I strongly suggest............
 

I strongly suggest<g> that you get the SIMple Plus card indicated above. It is $9+$3shipping=$12 versus $20 +$3=$23 for the Passport. The SIMple card has the _SAME_ rates as the Passport for Greece and Costa Rica and cheaper rates in the USA [so you can test it?! or set up voicemail] before you go. Be sure you use the eBay seller ekitmobileusa for the SIMple card.
I have been using various ekit cards for over 3 years and their web interface and customer service is excellent.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. I looked through ekitmobileusa's Ebay store, but don't see this particular one listed. SIMple Card yes, but SIMple Plus Card.

The Passport one includes $10 balance, so the SIM itself costs $10. Does the SIMplePlus Card also include $10 balance?

I've looked in their store, did some general searching, etc., but don't seem to find the EKit SIMple Plus Card anywhere on ebay. It's on EKit's website, but for $69 and it doesn't indicate how much balance that includes.

There are some differences in the pricing structure that may make one or the other more attractive than the other for different users.

The Passport card does not have a per call fee (or per minute fee) to receive calls in the US and Canada via the UK number, while the Simple Plus card has a 50¢ per incoming call fee while in the US.

I don't see it on Ebay either.

Isn't this it?

http://tinyurl.com/ycfzgah

I think the bottom line here is that you're correct. The confusion is that there is one SIM on the Ekit website called the "SIMple Plus Card" as well as the "SIMple Card" and many were recommending the "Plus" version. On EBay, there is no mention of any "SIMple Plus Card."

But if you compare the various costs, rates, and policies, they seem exactly the same, so only the name is different. And the "SIMple Card" comes in both US, US/Canada, and Canada versions, creating a little more confusion.

It looks like the SIMple Card, probably US version, will do what I want, for the least expense, so I'll likely be going with that. And the fact that some of the posters above have been using their cards for 3 years, with good customer service, is encouraging.

Hopefully they'll be around longer than the 1 week Celtrek was after I purchased their card!

Does anyone know if it is possible to receive calls in the US or Canada when using the Global IMSI?

I was doing some tests recently and found that all calls to it go straight to voice-mail instead of ringing despite me being in an area with good coverage. I know one shouldn't be using the Global IMSI in the US due to the rates but I would think that it should still work should someone simple want to use that IMSI for whatever reason. It registers fine here on AT&T and T-Mobile (both 3G & 2G) so I expect it to work.

Also, does anyone know why unanswered calls that were placed from the US IMSI get charged 0.25 USD? This happened to me twice 2 days ago. I noticed no callback rings or anything like what happens when you place calls over the Global IMSI, so I figured you shouldn't be paying unless the call is answered.

My understanding is that you can receive a call on the Global IMSI but pay a significantly inflated rate. You are supposed to use the Global IMSI in the US for data and to activate the U.S. roaming feature if you forgot to do so before departing from Europe/Asia.

I'm guessing here, but I think it may be because either:
1. The US carriers (or roaming charge clearinghouse if there is such a thing) charge a call attempt fee to the Isle of Man company so this gets passed through.
2. There may be a call attempt fee if the phone rings too long
3. A minimum of one minute may be charged whether or not there is a successful connection (would be .25 USD on the UK version of the simple calling card and .59 on the US version)

Got the US version of the card on ebay for a trip to Nevis in a couple of weeks. Depending on which island I'm on (transiting via St. Marteen on way in to Nevis, and via Antigua on the way out), and where I'm calling to, the Simple Calling card or my Digicel Bermuda card may be cheaper.

Cheapest of course would be Skype but can't always depend on a high quality and free wi-fi connection (comment I got on a Skype call from Nevis last time I visited there was "tinny and echo-ey," so I switched to my mobile phone at higher rates for a better connection).

For US, prefer my AT&T (Jolt) and T-Mobile (Tuyo) MVNO prepaid sim cards, but can see the Simple Calling attraction of relatively cheap US calls and a US number for the visitor from outside North America. Think I will use the Simple Calling US number mostly for keeping the sim card alive, occasional trips to Canada, and for the rare US GSM operators that don't have agreements with my 2 US MVNO sim chips.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, from what I understand Jolt/Beyond GSM are an AT&T MVNO that has similar or the same coverage AT&T PAYG service has (just the native network) and Tuyo is a T-Mobile MVNO that has no roaming either.

I keep my T-Mobile To-Go line active due to their roaming agreements (and dropped my AT&T PAYG line due to their lack of them, not to mention other crap) around North America (including Canada & Mexico). It's also nice to get _some_ Internet access (and MMS) even though it is extremely limited. Of course it sucks that one is charged to receive SMS/MMS, though I believe it is cheaper than even Simple Mobile when used only for SMS/MMS in NA.

Correct on both counts. Both the Jolt (Beyond GSM/Beyond Wireless in Ohio went bankrupt and Jolt/N.E.T. in California took over their accounts) and Tuyo sim cards are MVNO's limited to the native networks of their respective backbone carriers.
Advantages are cheaper rates per minute for domestic (with promotional discounts Tuyo is about 7 US cents a minute and Jolt is a flat 15 cents), heavily discounted international rates, and with the Tuyo card, the ability to use the sim card balance as a calling card. Since my primary interest in these 2 cards is inexpensive voice and occasional SMS, it works for me. Jolt is more expensive per minute than Tuyo but has coverage in areas that Tuyo does not(in a dual sim phone I'll look at which sim works, has a decent signal, and has a cheaper rate).
Disadvantages are refills are not as widely available (use the internet for that), nickel and diming for receiving text messages, neither have comprehensive data services(Tuyo only has download store and MMS; Jolt has neither), and they can't roam on other carriers in the US or other countries. But since I've got the ekit Simple Calling sim, a Digicel Bermuda sim, unlocked GSM phones, a satphone, a 3G wireless USB data key, and a wifi phone I'm pretty much covered for my communications needs (all right, it's probably overkill, but I like options).

Well, there is your name
 

The fact you like options probably confirms your name. And some day those options might save a life or at least make someones life easier.

I just got this sim card it works well and switching between global and us number is a piece of cake. came with 10.00 and got it off of ebay ekit seller.

I've had this for a while and for the first time ever the sim registered on Canada Rogers with the +44 number but wouldn't with the +1 number. When I called customer service they said it had to be activated due to 7 days inactivity. I have had many periods of more than that inactivity. Does the inactivation not happen all the time?
So anyway I have to check this out before heading for the US and making sure I activate online?? before a trip.

It does happen all the time. You can activate it by calling the toll-free number 1-888-513-8804, or there is a number on the SIM phonebook you can dial when you're connected via the +44 side.

Their literature does indicate that after 7 days of inactivity, the US portion of the sim is deactivated for making calls and receiving calls in the USA....but the claim is that it remains valid if people dial the US number and you're outside the USA...I have had it go inactive all the time and generally activate it. TGoday during an inactive period, I dialed on my regular mobile the e-kit US number (I'm in the USA) and the call went to voice mail...BTW while you're inb Europe (or elsewhere outside USA or Canada) there is a code number you can call to activbate US service....it's on the sim and should be listed in your phone book.

Or just pay the 50 cents a month for it to be active all the time.

Short code for USA & Canada 'activation'
 

From ekit:
"If outside the United States or Canada (and about to enter the United States or Canada), dial the Easy Dial number 870 "
Please note:
* Your ability to make outbound calls in the US and Canada is hibernated 7 days after your last call in the US or Canada, however the +1 number remains active and will receive calls and text messages for up to four months after the last use of the service. You can reactivate the ability to make calls in the United States and Canada in three ways: online at www.rechargeminutes.com, over the phone using our self-service menu, or over the phone with a Customer service representative.

activation??
 

It is not clear to me that the 50 cents has anything to do with activation--just holding onto the USA phone number if it is inactive for more than 4 months.
ekit says:
"* You can retain your US number indefinitely by paying 50c per month by signing into your account online, clicking on "Account Details" under "My account", and then clicking on the option to extend the life of the US number (otherwise after 4 months of inactivity your US number may be changed when you go to use it again; you will receive the new US number via text message). "

I have not had a phone number change on me. I have 3 dual IMSI ekit SIMs and two SIMple Calling usa phone number only SIMs.

Has anyone here lost a US phone number on an ekit SIM?

Also, the unactivation/hibernation of the US number seems to be flaky at times, that is not '7' days but sumetime after 7 days.

I have only had my sim card for 2 and half weeks. On day one I activated the US number and setup the 50 cents a month deal. I have not had to reactivate the US but that one time. I would rather pay the 50 cent a month than have to log on or call a certain number to activate. It seems that the 50 cents a month does the trick. I will post if it does not.

Using the ekit sim in Nevis right now on Cable and Wireless LIME. Cheaper to call US then my Digicel Bermuda chip but Digicel is cheaper for local calls and Sms(both chips active in a dual sim phone). Both are a bargain compared to hotel room phone. Haven't decided yet whether ekit 50 cent/month charge worth it or not to keep US number and possibly active all the time. ekit sim worked all days but in transit at SXM and yesterday for some reason; used Digicel chip when that happened. Not good enough hotel wifi quality for SkypeOut but gmail and web surfing are fine on my Sony Mylo. Will use Digicel in ANU en route back to US because ekit rates there are too high. Pluses on ekit over defunct um/um+ are no failed callback charges, decent audio quality, and no noticeable voice latency.

ekit is a ripoff
 

Used it in USA and UK, works fine but expensive. DOES NOT WORK IN SOUTH AMERICA, NO SERVICE, CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE REP WAS INCOMPENTENT. Use a diff service, these guys are awful.

Can you be more specific on which countries/carriers in South America it did not work in so other travelers are aware? Also did you try the alternate dial method from the sim card menu or by dialing "*126* followed by the country code (1 in the United States), area code and phone number, followed by #"? That worked for me in Grand Cayman the first 2 weeks of January when direct dial didn't generate a callback reliably (I just stored commonly dialed numbers in auto dial with the *126*number# codes.

Google Voice?
 

Has anyone had experience with using the USA side of the eKit SIM on Google Voice? I'm trying to "add" my eKit US number to my list of linked phones, and I'm running into a technical issue. The verification procedure sends a callback to the phone you'd like to link, and gives you a 2-digit number to enter on the phone's keypad. Well ... I've tried 3 different phones and several locations (all with good signal strength) and the touch tones just don't go through. After 2 tries, Google Voice says "I can see you're having trouble" and hangs up. The SIM is operating on AT&T.

Well, I just opened a trouble ticket with eKit on this.

It appears that the MVNO they use in US/Canada (Immix?) is swallowing
touch tones at least in my area. I can call myself on another phone and
listen in; if I speak the voice comes through; if I press a number of
the keypad it does not come out on the other side.

I've tried roaming on both AT&T and T-Mobile. If I make same call on the
same phone, camped on the same cellular tower using a different SIM card,
everything works.

Why would they do this?

VoIP can do that, if it's being used somewhere in the loop, which is quite possible. The ability to pass touch tones can be configured; usually the tones are transmitted electronically and created at the other end, rather than transmitted as digitized audio.

Just a quick comment again about EKIT. I have not been out of the U.S. for a long while so I have not needed or used my EKIT Passport SIM. So they sent me a reminder e-mail yesterday to use it (make a call or send an SMS) soon or it will be deactivated. I don't know if other SIM companies do this, but it's a great service from EKIT.

Another thing...........
 

The US numbers _seem_ to be 'deactivating' sooner than in the past in my experience. I go online twice a week to make sure they stay activated. It is easier for me to do that than have to change a US number in my 'system'. Another thing, I have two US only SIMple Calling SIMs and really do not want to lose those numbers--especially if that number is the ONLY number I have to log into the web site.

Another hint. If the US number is not working on your SIM in your phone and you do not have online access, turn your phone onto the global number [in the US even] and dial '870' . That will activate the US number in about 5 minutes. You will also receive an SMS with a new phone number if it has been a while since the US has been alive.

After I got my EKIT e-mail, I turned on the phone in Global mode. A text message came in that said to turn the phone off and on and then enter the U.S. code (2 plus the pin code) for cheaper calls. But before I did that, I logged on to my account using the UK number. My online account showed that a new US number had been assigned ( I don't know when it happened).

Anyway, I turned the phone on in US mode and the new US number was activated and working. I never actually did anything to activate it. FYI....it was a Seattle number rather than my previous California number.

I think you can call forward eKits through their web panel. Can you use this for the Google activation?

Ekit a pain
 

I have foudn that E kit is deactivating my US number after a week, what a pain.

Also I find that text messages sent via my Ekit sim and not received by any one who is on the MTS network in Manitoba Canada, E kit said they can't fix this.

cheers - ken

A way to get around the ekit/MTS SMS text message block would be to send an email to 10digitphonenumber@text.mtsmobility.com from the handset. Have sent MMS messages to email addresses from my ekit sim so this should work (at least in theory...).

Another way would be to send a text message from the MTS webpage from a browser enabled phone: Send a Text Message - MTS Mobility

Of the two methods, a flat text email would likely be cheaper because the web browsing function of ekit has to be in the UK number mode rather than the US/Canada number mode.