PrePaidGSM.net Forum (Archived) - View Single Post

ripit · 23-05-2007, 02:58

I just thought I would follow up to add some information I've learned in my research. Of all the options I've looked into, the best options from a price/convenience standpoint for someone that wants to be able to be reached easily from the US and have email and internet access while traveling to multiple countries in Europe seem to be either UK Vodafone w/passport, O2 w/My Europe Extra, Mobal or buying a local SIM card in each country. Each one has its pluses & minuses.

Buying local SIM cards
Easily the least expensive option but also the least convenient. If you are planning to leave a local number for people to reach you that will be forwarded to your mobile number in Europe, you will have to update the forward number each time you get a new SIM and whatever service you use must either be online or have some way of updating the forward number remotely (and cheaply, ideally). SkypeIn with Call Forwarding or using a CallBackWorld 800 number can work, though I would have concerns about reliability. If you plan on making or receiving a lot of calls or using a lot of data, it probably would be worth the hassle. For occasional usage though, I think other options are more convenient.

O2 with My Europe Extra
This is probably the best option for someone anticipating moderate to heavy call volume but little data usage. Using this option your incoming calls are free (up to 1000 min.) and outgoing calls are 25p (~$.50) per min. but you can get lower rates by using a call back service. Data, however is outrageously priced at £15 ($30) per MB. If you plan on using a lot of data, you use up your credit quickly at this rate. Also if you only plan on making a few calls, this may not be the best choice the card is £10 ($20) and does not come with any credit (though I think you get some bonus credit when you register/top up) and the My Europe Extra option costs £10 per month so it will cost you $40 before you've made or received a call. The low rates will start to offset the upfront costs if you use more than 60 min. or so.

Vodafone UK w/Passport
This is probably the best option for someone who expects to have low to moderate voice and data usage. The SIM is cheap and includes some credit. There is no fee to activate Passport which gives you the same rates as if you were in the UK, plus a 75p ($1.50) connect fee. You can use a call back service, but it works best if you tend to have a few longer conversations rather than a lot of short calls. The connect fees will start to add up making this option a much lesser value. The data rates are still high at £10 per MB, but still 50% less than the rate you get from O2. One plus about this option is that I have seen lots of pre-activated Vodafone SIM cards for sale for a reasonable price on eBay, meaning that you can get your phone number and test it out before you leave the US. I have not seen many pre-activated SIM cards from other companies available for a reasonable price.

Mobal Global SIM
Given the other choices, I really don't see this as being a good option under any circumstance. The voice rate is high @ $1.25 incoming and $1.50 outgoing. The data rates is not cheap either at $20 per MB. I think regardless of call volume or data usage, any of the above would be better choices.

Also, I learned that with Verizon, if you activate their International Long Distance Plan, they will charge you $3.99 per month, and calls to Europe will be $.20 per minute, plus they will use minutes from your plan. If you have a SIM card in Europe that has free incoming calls, this is a pretty cheap way to stay in contact.

I am sure I missed a bunch of stuff, so anyone please feel free to add anything I may have overlooked or to correct any wrong information I may have inadvertantly included.

	(#16)
ripit (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 7 Join Date: 04 May 2007 Country:	23-05-2007, 02:58 I just thought I would follow up to add some information I've learned in my research. Of all the options I've looked into, the best options from a price/convenience standpoint for someone that wants to be able to be reached easily from the US and have email and internet access while traveling to multiple countries in Europe seem to be either UK Vodafone w/passport, O2 w/My Europe Extra, Mobal or buying a local SIM card in each country. Each one has its pluses & minuses. Buying local SIM cards Easily the least expensive option but also the least convenient. If you are planning to leave a local number for people to reach you that will be forwarded to your mobile number in Europe, you will have to update the forward number each time you get a new SIM and whatever service you use must either be online or have some way of updating the forward number remotely (and cheaply, ideally). SkypeIn with Call Forwarding or using a CallBackWorld 800 number can work, though I would have concerns about reliability. If you plan on making or receiving a lot of calls or using a lot of data, it probably would be worth the hassle. For occasional usage though, I think other options are more convenient. O2 with My Europe Extra This is probably the best option for someone anticipating moderate to heavy call volume but little data usage. Using this option your incoming calls are free (up to 1000 min.) and outgoing calls are 25p (~$.50) per min. but you can get lower rates by using a call back service. Data, however is outrageously priced at £15 ($30) per MB. If you plan on using a lot of data, you use up your credit quickly at this rate. Also if you only plan on making a few calls, this may not be the best choice the card is £10 ($20) and does not come with any credit (though I think you get some bonus credit when you register/top up) and the My Europe Extra option costs £10 per month so it will cost you $40 before you've made or received a call. The low rates will start to offset the upfront costs if you use more than 60 min. or so. Vodafone UK w/Passport This is probably the best option for someone who expects to have low to moderate voice and data usage. The SIM is cheap and includes some credit. There is no fee to activate Passport which gives you the same rates as if you were in the UK, plus a 75p ($1.50) connect fee. You can use a call back service, but it works best if you tend to have a few longer conversations rather than a lot of short calls. The connect fees will start to add up making this option a much lesser value. The data rates are still high at £10 per MB, but still 50% less than the rate you get from O2. One plus about this option is that I have seen lots of pre-activated Vodafone SIM cards for sale for a reasonable price on eBay, meaning that you can get your phone number and test it out before you leave the US. I have not seen many pre-activated SIM cards from other companies available for a reasonable price. Mobal Global SIM Given the other choices, I really don't see this as being a good option under any circumstance. The voice rate is high @ $1.25 incoming and $1.50 outgoing. The data rates is not cheap either at $20 per MB. I think regardless of call volume or data usage, any of the above would be better choices. Also, I learned that with Verizon, if you activate their International Long Distance Plan, they will charge you $3.99 per month, and calls to Europe will be $.20 per minute, plus they will use minutes from your plan. If you have a SIM card in Europe that has free incoming calls, this is a pretty cheap way to stay in contact. I am sure I missed a bunch of stuff, so anyone please feel free to add anything I may have overlooked or to correct any wrong information I may have inadvertantly included.