Advantage of int'l SIMs versus other solutions?

[snaimon]

Originally Posted by adam917

I would like to know from other users on here who use them: what are the advantages of an international SIM besides maximum coverage & one number? Is the often high price per minute or megabyte worth such a convenience? I notice that SMS rates are multiple times higher than using the home SIM roaming abroad. Has anyone on here really saved money using these int'l SIMs or are they used as a backup/last resort solution like I have them as? Deals like Vodafone Passport & 3 Like Home (as well as whatever equivalent offerings Orange, T-Mobile, & O2/Telefonica have) are looking better every day.

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I can't answer you about data. And I can only give you my perspective on calling and SMS.

The turf has changed quite a bit over the last 2 - 3 years. At one time international SIM users were probably way ahead of those who used their national cards and paid very high roaming prices. The new EU rates, Vodaphone Passport among others are all relatively new and quite competitive.

If you dig deeper into the discussions here, you will find O9 (Iceland) and affiliates are probably DEAD. You will find several Isle of Man etc providers are DEAD. You find United Mobile raising its already somewhat high prices even higher. The internationals are struggling.

In my case I bought two of these international cards and am using up the balances. I am unsure I will refill when the balances are used up. I sold several others, too.

There is for my technically challenged wife the convenience of not having to change the SIM card as she moves about. This summer she may be in Europe without me, so I will give her one phone for Germany and one for other countries. She can do that.

As noted, there is also the idea that you just give out one number, the international SIM, and friends and family can reach you on that number. This instead of giving them 6 phone numbers and your full itinerary for them to follow you over the course of your journey.