ekit dual number [US & UK] SIMs

[Bugler]

Hello guys. I am new to this site. I read through all the responses to this forum string a few weeks ago before I ordered my Ekit Simple sim. Now I am sure I forgot most of what I had read. I hope someone can answer a question for me please.

My wife and I are traveling to Europe in a few weeks and I purchased the Ekit sim to stay in touch with my young daughters in the US. Under our ATT cell plan, my kids have free long distance in the US so I figure they can call my Ekit USA number at no additional charge to my ATT cell plan. I know I will get charged, I think 19 cents or something like that to receive the call in Europe.

However, what I am not clear on is what happens if I call their cell phones in the US from Europe. I presume I would call from the +44 number but would the effect be that I will incur internal calling charges on their cell phones? Do I call from the EKit USA number when calling their cell phones to avoid additional ATT cell charges?

I still am also uncertain what my rates are if we send text back and forth to the kids from Europe and the impact on my ATT cell plan. We have unlimited texting in the USA on our current ATT plan.

Thank you in advance.

[rfranzq]

Make sure you log into your SIM card info at the ekit website. Update your personal information and set up a "Identification Question" in the 'Account Details' section. Under the 'My Service' section will be the call rates. [There are two different 'SIMple' cards that have different rates so you will find out which you have when you login to your account.] Might I suggest you write down the rates for the countries you are visiting? That way you will know and not have to worry what they are or have to look them up during your trip. Perhaps you will set up automatic recharge. Perhaps you should test the SIM card in the US before you go. Have a daughter try to send you a SMS to the +447 number to see if it works. It should be free to receive anywhere on the planet. {xxxx=pin number} In the US and Canada when you turn on the phone you will use 2xxxx as the unlock code at the start and you screen will show the network and if a second line is allowed will say 'US'. Everywhere else in the world, you will enter xxxx and the second line if it shows will say 'Global'.

Originally Posted by Bugler

Under our ATT cell plan, my kids have free long distance in the US so I figure they can call my Ekit USA number at no additional charge to my ATT cell plan. I know I will get charged, I think 19 cents or something like that to receive the call in Europe.

Yes, have them call the US number. Check your rates on the web page. 19cents should be right. Have them test call before you leave while you are still in the US so you can have confidence it will work. Also have them put the number in their phone's address book so when you test it so you know they have the right number in there and works. The beauty of these cards is you can test them before you go.

Originally Posted by Bugler

However, what I am not clear on is what happens if I call their cell phones in the US from Europe. I presume I would call from the +44 number but would the effect be that I will incur internal calling charges on their cell phones? Do I call from the EKit USA number when calling their cell phones to avoid additional ATT cell charges?

You will use the 'Global' [xxxx] settings to use the phone outside of the US. Those rates will what apply to you. US cell phones don't care who is calling them or from where. Whatever they get charged [or not] is the same as any US call to them.

Originally Posted by Bugler

I still am also uncertain what my rates are if we send text back and forth to the kids from Europe and the impact on my ATT cell plan. We have unlimited texting in the USA on our current ATT plan.

Test to see they can send you SMS via the UK +447 number and if they are charged for it and how much. The 'Global' set up receives SMS for FREE. Sending is 69cents--but check your own details online [and write them down.]


Any other questions, just ask. It is easier and better to ask before you go!

[Bugler]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Make sure you log into your SIM card info at the ekit website. Update your personal information and set up a "Identification Question" in the 'Account Details' section. Under the 'My Service' section will be the call rates. [There are two different 'SIMple' cards that have different rates so you will find out which you have when you login to your account.] Might I suggest you write down the rates for the countries you are visiting? That way you will know and not have to worry what they are or have to look them up during your trip. Perhaps you will set up automatic recharge. Perhaps you should test the SIM card in the US before you go. Have a daughter try to send you a SMS to the +447 number to see if it works. It should be free to receive anywhere on the planet. {xxxx=pin number} In the US and Canada when you turn on the phone you will use 2xxxx as the unlock code at the start and you screen will show the network and if a second line is allowed will say 'US'. Everywhere else in the world, you will enter xxxx and the second line if it shows will say 'Global'.



Yes, have them call the US number. Check your rates on the web page. 19cents should be right. Have them test call before you leave while you are still in the US so you can have confidence it will work. Also have them put the number in their phone's address book so when you test it so you know they have the right number in there and works. The beauty of these cards is you can test them before you go.




You will use the 'Global' [xxxx] settings to use the phone outside of the US. Those rates will what apply to you. US cell phones don't care who is calling them or from where. Whatever they get charged [or not] is the same as any US call to them.




Test to see they can send you SMS via the UK +447 number and if they are charged for it and how much. The 'Global' set up receives SMS for FREE. Sending is 69cents--but check your own details online [and write them down.]


Any other questions, just ask. It is easier and better to ask before you go!

Thank you for all the guidance. All four countries we will visit have the same rates so that will make it easier. I will try to do the testing you suggested. I just do not trust ATT not to charge my kids' phone for an incoming international call as a regular USA call.

[rfranzq]

I currently have 6 ekit cards. I have never had a US number expire until today. In the fine print it says the US number will expire if you do not use it in 3 months. I believe I have avoided this in the past by checking the account regularly [every 2-4 weeks] and reactivating the US number if it has become dormant. When I checked today, it was gone and I got a new phone number [in Texas not in Massachusetts {which is a bonus for me}] instantly. This suprised me because I added $10 less than a month ago and thought that would have kept it alive. Just so you all can know what might happen.

[teleroam]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

I currently have 6 ekit cards. I have never had a US number expire until today. In the fine print it says the US number will expire if you do not use it in 3 months. I believe I have avoided this in the past by checking the account regularly [every 2-4 weeks] and reactivating the US number if it has become dormant..

I think you're supposed to make a chargable call (or text etc), rather than a reactivation.

I have a couple of US/Canada one-number sims. I put a call-forward on each sim when I'm not using it (which costs 9c/min when forwarded to US, no per-call charge) and usually there is an incoming wrong number or two each month to keep it alive.

(thanks for the reminder. Just found one of my numbers didn't get any recent calls, so I called it).