Best practice international GSM setup

[gkeeper]

Originally Posted by MBK

Keep in mind that I am talking about worldwide roaming (the subject of this thread), while you are talking about regional roaming.

But let's see:



Onesimcard with callback (Single SIM - only onesimcard): US to UK

US Incoming: FREE
UK Landline: €0.07 incoming callback + FREE landline UK = €0.07 (+ one time €0.01 data to trigger the callback if not on WIFI)
UK Mobile: €0.07 incoming callback + €0.005 mobile UK = €0.075 (+ one time €0.01 data to trigger the callback if not on WIFI)
SMS using SIM menu: $0.15
SMS using Fishtext with WebSMS on android: €0.03 (+ ~€0.03 data to send the SMS if not on WIFI)

Onesimcard with callback (dual-SIM - callback on 2nd local/regional SIM, showing +372 caller ID or any other caller ID): US to UK

US Incoming: FREE
UK Landline: FREE incoming callback + FREE landline UK = €0.00 (+ one time €0.01 data to trigger the callback if not on WIFI)
UK Mobile: FREE incoming callback + €0.005 mobile UK = €0.005 (+ one time €0.01 data to trigger the callback if not on WIFI)
SMS using SIM menu: $0.15
SMS using Fishtext with WebSMS on android: €0.03 (+ ~€0.03 data to send the SMS if not on WIFI)


In any case, for data the best is a 2nd local SIM with local data bundles in the dual-sim phone (but if only to trigger the callbacks the Onesimcard is good enough).



Canada to UK: same rates as US above.







Yes, Toggle Mobile already is my 2nd SIM in the dual-SIM phone for Europe.

so where do they advertise these rates, I have looked at Onesimcards website rates and i can only find the rates i published, as per there site, SIM Card - International cell phone rates

[HappyCamp]

Originally Posted by gkeeper

so where do they advertise these rates, I have looked at Onesimcards website rates and i can only find the rates i published, as per there site, SIM Card - International cell phone rates

+1

I can't see this rate or understand how this works.

[MBK]

Originally Posted by gkeeper

so where do they advertise these rates, I have looked at Onesimcards website rates and i can only find the rates i published, as per there site, SIM Card - International cell phone rates

Here for a comparison of all the betamax clones per country:

Call rates comparison table

(select the countries you want holding CTRL to filter for a clear view)

To use them conveniently you need the MobileVOIP iphone & android application (sends SMS extremely cheap too):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rea.MobileVoip


The good thing is that you can use this with any phone or SIM card (even Piranha if you prefer).

(you can use the MobileVOIP app, but you can also trigger callbacks via the web, or use local access numbers, or the windows application, or SIP - check the chosen provider's "ways to call" page)


edit: if you have WIFI or good 3G you can call directly without callback (saving the callback costs), but callback usuall gives the best call quality.

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edit: I use this to trigger the callback as it uses less data than the MobileVOIP application (we are talking about 2 or 3 cents here ) :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...x.internetcall

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As I have also quoted the Fishtext.com SMS rates, this is optional for a cheap SMS alternative (the above mentioned MobileVOIP also send SMS for almost as cheap already, but Fishtext gives you SMS delivery reports):

For Fishtext SMS you need to install these 2: WebSMS + Fishtext connector on Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...android.websms
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ector.fishtext


SMSDroid allows full integration of WebSMS like the system SMS application:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...droid.smsdroid

[MBK]

The Betamax/Finarea/Dellmont group has been in business for a least 10 years. It has been working very well for me for the past 7 years (from home phones, Mobile, on the way using hotel phones, etc...).

To make it very simple here is the procedure to get going:

1. choose the provider that best fits your rates for the countries you need: Call rates comparison table
2. make an account on the provider's website (add .com to the name)
3. charge 10€ credit
4. install https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rea.MobileVoip (or for iphone get it from the iphone market).

And start saving big while calling.



edit: call quality can be a little lower than a direct call from time to time depending on the countries. But with such rates I think there's nothing to complain about.

[gkeeper]

Originally Posted by MBK

The Betamax/Finarea/Dellmont group has been in business for a least 10 years. It has been working very well for me for the past 7 years (from home phones, Mobile, on the way using hotel phones, etc...).

To make it very simple here is the procedure to get going:

1. choose the provider that best fits your rates for the countries you need: Call rates comparison table
2. make an account on the provider's website (add .com to the name)
3. charge 10€ credit
4. install https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rea.MobileVoip (or for iphone get it from the iphone market).

And start saving big while calling.



edit: call quality can be a little lower than a direct call from time to time depending on the countries. But with such rates I think there's nothing to complain about.

Are you saying: (please give me a straight answer this time):

That the rates you have been quoting do not exist on the OneSimcard site, unless you download a 3rd party VoIP app, sign up and pay $10.00 on top of the $30.00 plus credit lets says another $10.00 you just paid for the onesimcard, before you even start. Then down load another app for SMS, sign up to them pay another $xxx for credit. Tell all your friends family and work to do the same if they want to call you cheaply or sign up to some other callback service, and this is cheap and simple no thank you, when you started this thread i was under the impression that you were talking about onesimcard being so cheap and simple to use, this is clearly not the case and very misleading.

Someone please tell me i have the principle right, i am getting very confused by this thread.

[MBK]

Originally Posted by gkeeper

Are you saying: (please give me a straight answer this time):

That the rates you have been quoting do not exist on the OneSimcard site, unless you download a 3rd party VoIP app,

Yes.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

sign up and pay $10.00 on top of the $30.00 plus credit lets says another $10.00 you just paid for the onesimcard, before you even start.

Airbaltic card is €10 if the onesimcard is too expensive for you.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

Then down load another app for SMS, sign up to them pay another $xxx for credit.

No. You don't need this. This was just another option to send SMS even cheaper (1 or 2 cents cheaper than MobileVOIP).

(SMS is already in the 3rd party dialer I linked to - MobileVOIP - you pay 2 to 5 cent per SMS depending on the country you are sending to.)

Originally Posted by gkeeper

Tell all your friends family and work to do the same if they want to call you cheaply or sign up to some other callback service,

No. (But you can if you want).

I am paying for my calls, how much other people pay for their calls in not my concerns (friends/family I give my local dual-SIM number).

But as I said, if you don't want people to call you on +372 and don't have a dual-SIM phone, one option out of several is:

1. get a US landline number on Callcentric.com (Free) (or any other country)
2. forward the incoming calls to your +372 with hotvoip.com (€0.07/min)

So, this way your contacts can call you for free and it costs you €0.07/min to receive the call in 154 countries, which comes out cheaper for incoming calls than Piranha in most countries.

If you have a dual SIM phone even better, the forwarding can cost you as low as €0.005/min in many EU countries including UK (even Free in several countries like Thailand, US, China,...).

Furthermore, this incoming number stays with you for life, even if you move to another SIM card operator you just redirect the forwarding to the new number.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

and this is cheap

10€ to buy an Airbaltic card (if you don't need the other onesimcard functions)
10€ credit reload increments on hotvoip.com (or any other one from the list)

And with single SIM (callback on +372):
0.075€ to call the UK, France, Thailand, US, etc... (landline & mobile)

With dual-SIM (callback on local SIM):
0€ UK landline, US landline + mobile, Thailand landline+mobile, etc...
0.005€ UK, France, Germany, etc... mobile

SMS: ~ 2 to 5 cents depending on destination countries.


Very cheap, yes.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

and simple

If following these 3 simple points is too complicated for you (to be done only once, after this you are setup for life), then please pay for your expensive rates as no one can help you.

For calls & SMS:

1. choose the provider that best fits your rates for the countries you need: Call rates comparison table
2. make an account on the provider's website (add .com to the name) and load 10€ credit
3. install https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rea.MobileVoip (or for iphone get it from the iphone market).

edit: this callback is the same thing most roaming SIMs do, but you are doing it yourself, much cheaper.

[gkeeper]

Originally Posted by MBK

Yes.



Airbaltic card is €10 if the onesimcard is too expensive for you.



No. You don't need this. This was just another option to send SMS even cheaper (1 or 2 cents cheaper than MobileVOIP).

(SMS is already in the 3rd party dialer I linked to - MobileVOIP - you pay 2 to 5 cent per SMS depending on the country you are sending to.)



No. (But you can if you want).

I am paying for my calls, how much other people pay for their calls in not my concerns (friends/family I give my local dual-SIM number).

But as I said, if you don't want people to call you on +372 and don't have a dual-SIM phone, one option out of several is:

1. get a US landline number on Callcentric.com (Free) (or any other country)
2. forward the incoming calls to your +372 with hotvoip.com (€0.07/min)

So, this way your contacts can call you for free and it costs you €0.07/min to receive the call in 154 countries, which comes out cheaper for incoming calls than Piranha in most countries.

If you have a dual SIM phone even better, the forwarding can cost you as low as €0.005/min in many EU countries including UK (even Free in several countries like Thailand, US, China,...).

Furthermore, this incoming number stays with you for life, even if you move to another SIM card operator you just redirect the forwarding to the new number.



10€ to buy an Airbaltic card (if you don't need the other onesimcard functions)
10€ credit reload increments on hotvoip.com (or any other one from the list)

And with single SIM (callback on +372):
0.075€ to call the UK, France, Thailand, US, etc... (landline & mobile)

With dual-SIM (callback on local SIM):
0€ UK landline, US landline + mobile, Thailand landline+mobile, etc...
0.005€ UK, France, Germany, etc... mobile

SMS: ~ 2 to 5 cents depending on destination countries.


Very cheap, yes.



If following these 3 simple points is too complicated for you (to be done only once, after this you are setup for life), then please pay for your expensive rates as no one can help you.

For calls & SMS:

1. choose the provider that best fits your rates for the countries you need: Call rates comparison table
2. make an account on the provider's website (add .com to the name) and load 10€ credit
3. install https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rea.MobileVoip (or for iphone get it from the iphone market).

edit: this callback is the same thing most roaming SIMs do, but you are doing it yourself, much cheaper.

All very long winded for something that may or may not work, and the possibly of sacrificing call quality to save a few cents is not worth it.

I would like to add that there is no need to get all defense about it i.e then please pay for your expensive rates as no one can help you.

I like to deal in facts and the fact is you started a thread saying Onesimcard was best Roaming Sim Card on the planet and the cheapest, the facts do not show this, unless you go through many different operations and 3rd party apps, do you not agree. I know you are trying to help people but you have to bear in mind not all users of this website have smart phones or are technically minded, they are just looking for best deal which will save them money while roaming, without having to get to complicated.

[MBK]

Originally Posted by gkeeper

All very long winded

Seriously?

1. check rates
2. load 10€
3. install dialer

A simple 3 steps procedure, long winded?

I am curious, how do you manage to order an international roaming SIM online and get it to work?

Originally Posted by gkeeper

for something that may or may not work,

As I said, it has been working with no issues for 7 years for me (longer than some SIMs that were recommended on these forums - i.ex: United Telecom, etc...).

There are forums full of people using this, with no issues.

But you, instead of being glad for having one more option available to every one, even if it doesn't fit your needs, you prefer to be negative.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

and the possibly of sacrificing call quality to save a few cents is not worth it.

Not only a few cents, they add up quickly, you now.

Yes, quality is good but can sometimes be a little lower depending on the countries and the time (sometimes perhaps not recommended for a business call, but good enough for everything else). But quality is usually lower on mobile calls anyway, so this really isn't an issue imho.

But you prefer to pay a lot more to be sure to get 100% call quality all the time. No problem with this.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

I like to deal in facts

Well, you have a problem then. Because your facts are wrong.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

and the fact is you started a thread

No, I didn't start the thread.

I replied to the thread to offer another option to choose from.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

saying Onesimcard was best Roaming Sim Card on the planet

No, I said it was imho the best for worldwide roaming if used properly (=with callback). This is not the same.

And once again, you (or some people here) are talking about SIM cards that are good for limited regional roaming. I am talking about worldwide roaming.

Juggling with X number of SIMs (but you said you didn't like complicated) is not the same as 1 SIM.

Originally Posted by gkeeper

and the cheapest,

When used properly (=with callback)

Originally Posted by gkeeper

the facts do not show this, unless you go through many different operations and 3rd party apps

What are the many operations and several apps you are talking about?

Again: check rates > load credit > install 1 app

Originally Posted by gkeeper

I know you are trying to help people but you have to bear in mind not all users of this website have smart phones or are technically minded, they are just looking for best deal which will save them money while roaming, without having to get to complicated.

At last, I get something nicer for all the time I spent.

Please allow me to rephrase your negative post:

Thank you MBK for taking so much time to show us another option. It is great to have more choices to choose from for everyone so we can all find what suits us best. I unfortunately don't have a smartphone, so what are the best options in my case?

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by MBK

I am paying for my calls, how much other people pay for their calls in not my concerns (friends/family I give my local dual-SIM number).

I think this is where many of us differ. We do care about how much it cost other people to get a hold of us.

The many options and variants you have described are a valid addition to the knowledge base here.
In fact, I can think of no other place on this planet where these would be more useful and likely to be used by some of the users than here.

Thank you also for your research on the +371 using group of providers.

[ckh]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

I think this is where many of us differ. We do care about how much it cost other people to get a hold of us.

Hello MBK,

I must agree with rfranzq on this aspect. Nevertheless I'm still very interested in xxsim. The main reason is 'best of both worlds'.

Great worldwide coverage and a normal US number for free, permanent.
So for 15 eurocent I'm done. Or even lower in combination with VOIP.

2 additions to the KB on travelsim providers:

- Why not directly at travelsim? They do not offer extra numbers
- Is the US number at xxsim permanent and free. Yes, you can even get more additional number for free such as germany and united kingdom.

At all readers:

I would like to connect my international sims to Google Voice. The issue (as decribed in the thread) is however that Google Voice goes to voicemail after 25 second and building up the connection international can sometimes take long.

So I have 2 options:
- Rebuild the whole Google Voice setup myself at Anveo (which offers US numbers with SMS and can forward sms to all numbers worldwide, for 2 dollars a month) - but then with voicemail picking up after 60 seconds.
- Have a VOIP provider "pick up" the line on time, provide a notification and then try to connect to multiple international sims - and thus bypassing voicemail.

Does anyone have experience with these kind of setups? Or suggestion for easier anternatives?