Geosim

I've looked at all the global SIM cards and for most countries in Europe at least, the GeoSIM card from Geodesa (www.globalsimcard.co.uk) looks like the best. It has low rates (about 40% less than the next-best that I've found), 30/6 billing intervals, no connection charge, $5 top-up minimum, etc., which more than make up for its relatively high initial purchase cost. It seems to have agreements with several carriers in most European countries, so presumably it has good coverage. They've been quick to answer my questions via email.

A few people have mentioned GeoSIM here but not as much as some other cards. Is it really as good as it sounds? Is there a catch?

(I'll be traveling in Austria, Italy, France, and Spain.)

Bruce
Seattle, WA, USA

[Stu]

I think the SIM is interesting and recommended it to someone who travels to Europe, the UK, and the Phillipines.

The problem is (contrary to the add), UK mobiles are more costly to call than Lichtenstein mobiles and Icelandic mobiles. If I was a brit, I might use this SIM, but I cannot ask people to call Liechtenstein, Estonia, Iceland, or the United Kingdom. I map a US number to the SIM and eat the cost both ways. Lichtenstein is cheaper than the UK. There are things about the SIM I like and I will bookmark it.

Incidentally, while Lichtenstein numbers might go up, I think that carriers will also learn the difference between the IOM and the UK. Since I, however, own the DID I have people call and control the mapping, people won't have to cope with my changing providers in midstream.

Stu

[andy]

Originally Posted by Stu

The problem is (contrary to the add), UK mobiles are more costly to call than Lichtenstein mobiles and Icelandic mobiles. ... I map a US number to the SIM and eat the cost both ways. Lichtenstein is cheaper than the UK. There are things about the SIM I like and I will bookmark it.

There isn't a lot in it - 15c to the Isle of Man number is possible, or if you are willing to use a UK 0844 callthrough number as well, then maybe 7 or 9c

[meir]

I have bought a few Geodesa SIM cards for our company. I am happy with service. If you have time drop email to Ed Neal of Geodesa. He is owner and really nice chap. BTW I am not getting any commission from him. :blush:

[Stu]

Originally Posted by andy

There isn't a lot in it - 15c to the Isle of Man number is possible, or if you are willing to use a UK 0844 callthrough number as well, then maybe 7 or 9c

Who do you use for the 15cent route? The best route I've got to a UK mobile is 18c (US) a minute and the carrier is not one hundred percent reliable.

[andy]

Originally Posted by Stu

Who do you use for the 15cent route?? The best route I've got to a UK mobile is 18c (US) a minute and the carrier is not one hundred percent reliable.

www.voipfone.co.uk - they have slightly differing rates for the UK networks; O2 (incl IoM numbers) is the cheapest at 8.4p = 15c, to T-mobile at 12.1p, and 3 is more

I've used their call forwarding and callback with this SIM - you can pay as you go, ?5 at a time. You can point at your SIP address with them


If you can program forwarding with paused dialling (I don't know if this is possible), or brief people to call your forwarding number then the UK mobile, then 0844 numbers can be called via Voipfone for 5p/min, and these include callthrough numbers that reach mobiles.

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by Stu

I think the SIM is interesting and recommended it to someone who travels to Europe, the UK, and the Phillipines.

The problem is (contrary to the add), UK mobiles are more costly to call than Lichtenstein mobiles and Icelandic mobiles.

Then you are lucky.
If called from germany (i am talking of direct dial, not callback or other sweet tricks) we pay up to 40ct/min to the Liechtenstein Premium-Rate numbers and just 11-15ct to UK-mobiles.

Chris

[Stu]

Hence the value of global information sharing (and VOIP)

[meir]

To Andy: I have account with voipfone.co.uk. What isnbest way to trigger callback from Geodesa number? Only resonable ( by cost) I found by SMS. But with current increase of SMS price, I am looking for other way. May be you know a few tricks more? Thanks in advance. :umm:

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by meir

I have bought a few Geodesa SIM cards for our company. I am happy with service. If you have time drop email to Ed Neal of Geodesa. He is owner and really nice chap. BTW I am not getting any commission from him. :blush:

Meir, do you have a full price list of Geodesa services?
I mean something a table or an online calculator.
Do they use the same rates as 0044/Simazing?


http://www.globalsimcard.co.uk/save.htm


We will be putting an interactive "call cost calculator" here soon so you will be able to see our rates between any two countries...but rest assured our rates are considerably cheaper than your current operator's, and remember you will not be paying to receive calls in most countries!


This sounds to me as if they wanted to hide something :unsure: