
02-11-2009, 15:36
Look, what is obvious here is different strokes for different folks. As we said about 7 posts earlier, there is obviously not one perfect card for everybody. The objection is charctrizing e-kit the way it was and I positively don't work for e-kit.
Most people I know take one or two trips on an international basis a year. They may be away say 4 weeks. In that time, they may make 15 to 20 outgoing calls. Using the 35¢ set up fee, that comes to $7 (remember I said most).....
Setting up an international callback system is easy.....but yes most people don't read this bulletin board and know some of the ins and outs we pick up. I grant you that. But then again many people are happy to pay $1.29 to AT&T and/or T Mobile US to roam and pay for both incoming and outgoing calls and think it is a bargain!
This whole area, of course, is in a state of flux. We make the same points over and over again. Quite frankly, for a trip to Europe, today I might opt for a true UK sim say from O2 and consider their European plan for 10 quid a month, over and done. But that doesn't help me much if I have to call the USA (and those rates are sky rocketing as many of the telcoms have to make up for their loss of revenue due to eurotariffs)...but I have a certain set of needs that may be different than others but I think my needs are more in line with many people. Here are my needs, Mr. Roadruunner...
1. Trips about three or four times a year to Europe, almost all within the eu.
2. Prime consideration is receiving calls when I'm away for as cheap as possible. This includes having the ability to, as cheap as possible, forward calls off my home number landline in NY to whatever sim of the day, so to speak, I am using. Currently, my call forwarding costs me straight from my landline 30¢/minute to UK mobile numbers, not outrageous but that's the price. Of course, until about two years ago, my call forwarding to a Liechtenstein mobile cost me 10¢/minute before termination fees shot through the roof.
3. I do not use the sim for business...it's just plain ordinary to be reachable 24/7 when I'm away for people to call me on my regular number.
4. I have no intention of travelling to India or Indonesia or some of the other places mentioned here.
So,
For me, e-kit is a fine compromise. Am I totally happy as compared to what I once had. No, of course not. Would I prefer to carry my notebook everywhere and use one of th einternet based carriers. Of course, but then there's the charge for wifi or whatever.
Sure I want as cheap a plan as possible and I understand at a certain point, there will be little return to the international card providers. They have already seen a lot of their customer base disappear due to the eurotariffs but at the same time I am tired of having T Mobile (DT) take money from its left pocket and put it in its right pocket and on the way charge a steep fee for "roaming".
But you know, I know, we all know that in the 21st century world of technology, things are constantly changing and becoming more user friendly and cheaper. The same computer system I can go out and buy for $400 today would have cost $2,000 just a year or two ago and comes with so much more. Having wireless routers in my apartment with wireless printers and whatever is an every day thing today, would have been unheard of just a couple of years ago. Just having a mobile phone that works relatively (and that is the key word) inexpensively when I travel and the ability to forward calls to it 24/7 wherever in the world (well most places in the world) is what is most important to me saving a few pennies along the way.
I will stick with what I said...if I were to give advice to a novice, going across the pond for the first time from North America and who asks me what's the most convenient way of having a mobile phone for a trip to Europe (or Australia or New Zealand) I would still suggest the ekit simple card as available on ebay for $9 plus $3 shipping. I still stand by my original point that it's fairly reasonable and convenient for most. And I'm sorry to say buying e-kit is the biggest mistake you can make is just downright wrong.
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