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MATHA531 · 05-05-2007, 23:50

Here's the deal..

There is no simple answer....you're going through many countries so the easiest answer is an international sim. Until about three weeks ago, it was a slam dunk. I would recommend United Mobile which has free reception in all those countries along with callbackworld to call out and also provide cheap ways of them calling you.....a cheap European unlocked gsm dual band but make sure it is 900/1800 would do.....however in the last couple of weeks, calls to United Mobile via callbackworld have doubled to 29¢/minute...not outrageously bad but not the bargain it once was.

However, AT&T ld, if that is your relatives' ld carrier, still only charges 11¢/minute to call a United Mobile mobile provided they are on the $1/month international plan.

There is an Icelandic international sim called o9 which is cheaper on callbackworld and you get get a US toll free number with callbackworld which your relatives can use to reach you toll free to them in the USA and 16¢/minute to you...again it requires an unlocked gsm phone.

Using T Mobile USA international roaming is awfully expensive as you noted and you will pay to both make and receive calls and is not available on prepaid. You need a contract with them.

Also be aware that the eu might have something in place by the summer (although it's run into a problem) which might allow you to receive calls throughout Europe if you purchase a local sim card in any of the eu countries for as little as 0,20€ (about $0.27 US) but that's been held up a bit as the European telcoms are fighting tooth and nail to keep their asininely high roaming rates...we'll see on that.

Ultimately whatever you choose will have advantages and disadvantages and please don't let anybody tell you it's the wrong decision...it's ultimately your money.

In the interim, read up on this form about United Mobile, o9, GT-Sim, travelsim and so on. It will come down, ultimately, I would suppose to no mobile phone, going with T Mobile USA intrnational roaming or an international sim card.

	(#5)
MATHA531 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 869 Join Date: 15 Oct 2004 Country:	05-05-2007, 23:50 Here's the deal.. There is no simple answer....you're going through many countries so the easiest answer is an international sim. Until about three weeks ago, it was a slam dunk. I would recommend United Mobile which has free reception in all those countries along with callbackworld to call out and also provide cheap ways of them calling you.....a cheap European unlocked gsm dual band but make sure it is 900/1800 would do.....however in the last couple of weeks, calls to United Mobile via callbackworld have doubled to 29¢/minute...not outrageously bad but not the bargain it once was. However, AT&T ld, if that is your relatives' ld carrier, still only charges 11¢/minute to call a United Mobile mobile provided they are on the $1/month international plan. There is an Icelandic international sim called o9 which is cheaper on callbackworld and you get get a US toll free number with callbackworld which your relatives can use to reach you toll free to them in the USA and 16¢/minute to you...again it requires an unlocked gsm phone. Using T Mobile USA international roaming is awfully expensive as you noted and you will pay to both make and receive calls and is not available on prepaid. You need a contract with them. Also be aware that the eu might have something in place by the summer (although it's run into a problem) which might allow you to receive calls throughout Europe if you purchase a local sim card in any of the eu countries for as little as 0,20€ (about $0.27 US) but that's been held up a bit as the European telcoms are fighting tooth and nail to keep their asininely high roaming rates...we'll see on that. Ultimately whatever you choose will have advantages and disadvantages and please don't let anybody tell you it's the wrong decision...it's ultimately your money. In the interim, read up on this form about United Mobile, o9, GT-Sim, travelsim and so on. It will come down, ultimately, I would suppose to no mobile phone, going with T Mobile USA intrnational roaming or an international sim card.