[raywright1]

I must admit, even though I am an experienced traveler, I too am confused about how these PAYG plans work. For example, I have a SIM from Vodafone Romania purchased 7/14/10. I have a permanent local address and the ability to top up locally or abroad. I have registered the SIM with the website, which tells me that I have 9,78 euro credit, valid until 11/11/10. It offers me the ability to top-up (4 euro valid 30 days, 10 euro valid 60 days, etc etc). I have roaming enabled, can use the SIM abroad, and APN settings let me use data as well.

Help me process this info clearly and please correct my misunderstandings...

1. If I do nothing, after 11/11/10 my SIM will not be capable of making outgoing calls, but will receive calls? If so, until when?
2. If I do nothing, after 11/11/10 my credit is lost? If so, now to recover?
3. If I top up prior to 11/11/10, the SIM is extended for just the newly purchased lifetime, or does the SIM itself get extended 10 months but the ability to initiate calls extends only 30 days, 60 days, etc? this relates to the National Operators web page which uses notation like "4+10 months", which I don't understand.
4. Is topping up considered an activity which gives life to the SIM, or must there be a billable event like a phone call or text message?

ultimately, what must I do prior to 11/11/10 in order for me to keep the same number until I return in the summer of 2011?

Thanks!