An Observation about ekit SIM cards if you plan on using them in the USA.

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

I strongly suggest that you get the SIMple Plus card indicated above. It is $9+$3shipping=$12 versus $20 +$3=$23 for the Passport. The SIMple card has the _SAME_ rates as the Passport for Greece and Costa Rica and cheaper rates in the USA [so you can test it?! or set up voicemail] before you go. Be sure you use the eBay seller ekitmobileusa for the SIMple card.
I have been using various ekit cards for over 3 years and their web interface and customer service is excellent.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. I looked through ekitmobileusa's Ebay store, but don't see this particular one listed. SIMple Card yes, but SIMple Plus Card.

The Passport one includes $10 balance, so the SIM itself costs $10. Does the SIMplePlus Card also include $10 balance?

I've looked in their store, did some general searching, etc., but don't seem to find the EKit SIMple Plus Card anywhere on ebay. It's on EKit's website, but for $69 and it doesn't indicate how much balance that includes.

[highered]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

I strongly suggest that you get the SIMple Plus card indicated above. It is $9+$3shipping=$12 versus $20 +$3=$23 for the Passport. The SIMple card has the _SAME_ rates as the Passport for Greece and Costa Rica and cheaper rates in the USA [so you can test it?! or set up voicemail] before you go.

There are some differences in the pricing structure that may make one or the other more attractive than the other for different users.

The Passport card does not have a per call fee (or per minute fee) to receive calls in the US and Canada via the UK number, while the Simple Plus card has a 50¢ per incoming call fee while in the US.

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

I've looked in their store, did some general searching, etc., but don't seem to find the EKit SIMple Plus Card anywhere on ebay. It's on EKit's website, but for $69 and it doesn't indicate how much balance that includes.

I don't see it on Ebay either.

[MATHA531]

Isn't this it?

http://tinyurl.com/ycfzgah

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by MATHA531

Isn't this it?

Canada and USA SIM card - 9c/m in US + 29c/m in Canada - eBay (item 130338461764 end time Feb-16-10 01:42:29 PST)

I think the bottom line here is that you're correct. The confusion is that there is one SIM on the Ekit website called the "SIMple Plus Card" as well as the "SIMple Card" and many were recommending the "Plus" version. On EBay, there is no mention of any "SIMple Plus Card."

But if you compare the various costs, rates, and policies, they seem exactly the same, so only the name is different. And the "SIMple Card" comes in both US, US/Canada, and Canada versions, creating a little more confusion.

It looks like the SIMple Card, probably US version, will do what I want, for the least expense, so I'll likely be going with that. And the fact that some of the posters above have been using their cards for 3 years, with good customer service, is encouraging.

Hopefully they'll be around longer than the 1 week Celtrek was after I purchased their card!

[adam917]

Does anyone know if it is possible to receive calls in the US or Canada when using the Global IMSI?

I was doing some tests recently and found that all calls to it go straight to voice-mail instead of ringing despite me being in an area with good coverage. I know one shouldn't be using the Global IMSI in the US due to the rates but I would think that it should still work should someone simple want to use that IMSI for whatever reason. It registers fine here on AT&T and T-Mobile (both 3G & 2G) so I expect it to work.

Also, does anyone know why unanswered calls that were placed from the US IMSI get charged 0.25 USD? This happened to me twice 2 days ago. I noticed no callback rings or anything like what happens when you place calls over the Global IMSI, so I figured you shouldn't be paying unless the call is answered.

[Stu]

My understanding is that you can receive a call on the Global IMSI but pay a significantly inflated rate. You are supposed to use the Global IMSI in the US for data and to activate the U.S. roaming feature if you forgot to do so before departing from Europe/Asia.

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by adam917

Also, does anyone know why unanswered calls that were placed from the US IMSI get charged 0.25 USD? This happened to me twice 2 days ago. I noticed no callback rings or anything like what happens when you place calls over the Global IMSI, so I figured you shouldn't be paying unless the call is answered.

I'm guessing here, but I think it may be because either:
1. The US carriers (or roaming charge clearinghouse if there is such a thing) charge a call attempt fee to the Isle of Man company so this gets passed through.
2. There may be a call attempt fee if the phone rings too long
3. A minimum of one minute may be charged whether or not there is a successful connection (would be .25 USD on the UK version of the simple calling card and .59 on the US version)

Got the US version of the card on ebay for a trip to Nevis in a couple of weeks. Depending on which island I'm on (transiting via St. Marteen on way in to Nevis, and via Antigua on the way out), and where I'm calling to, the Simple Calling card or my Digicel Bermuda card may be cheaper.

Cheapest of course would be Skype but can't always depend on a high quality and free wi-fi connection (comment I got on a Skype call from Nevis last time I visited there was "tinny and echo-ey," so I switched to my mobile phone at higher rates for a better connection).

For US, prefer my AT&T (Jolt) and T-Mobile (Tuyo) MVNO prepaid sim cards, but can see the Simple Calling attraction of relatively cheap US calls and a US number for the visitor from outside North America. Think I will use the Simple Calling US number mostly for keeping the sim card alive, occasional trips to Canada, and for the rare US GSM operators that don't have agreements with my 2 US MVNO sim chips.

[adam917]

Originally Posted by GadgetKen

I'm guessing here, but I think it may be because either:
1. The US carriers (or roaming charge clearinghouse if there is such a thing) charge a call attempt fee to the Isle of Man company so this gets passed through.
2. There may be a call attempt fee if the phone rings too long
3. A minimum of one minute may be charged whether or not there is a successful connection (would be .25 USD on the UK version of the simple calling card and .59 on the US version)

Got the US version of the card on ebay for a trip to Nevis in a couple of weeks. Depending on which island I'm on (transiting via St. Marteen on way in to Nevis, and via Antigua on the way out), and where I'm calling to, the Simple Calling card or my Digicel Bermuda card may be cheaper.

Cheapest of course would be Skype but can't always depend on a high quality and free wi-fi connection (comment I got on a Skype call from Nevis last time I visited there was "tinny and echo-ey," so I switched to my mobile phone at higher rates for a better connection).

For US, prefer my AT&T (Jolt) and T-Mobile (Tuyo) MVNO prepaid sim cards, but can see the Simple Calling attraction of relatively cheap US calls and a US number for the visitor from outside North America. Think I will use the Simple Calling US number mostly for keeping the sim card alive, occasional trips to Canada, and for the rare US GSM operators that don't have agreements with my 2 US MVNO sim chips.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, from what I understand Jolt/Beyond GSM are an AT&T MVNO that has similar or the same coverage AT&T PAYG service has (just the native network) and Tuyo is a T-Mobile MVNO that has no roaming either.

I keep my T-Mobile To-Go line active due to their roaming agreements (and dropped my AT&T PAYG line due to their lack of them, not to mention other crap) around North America (including Canada & Mexico). It's also nice to get _some_ Internet access (and MMS) even though it is extremely limited. Of course it sucks that one is charged to receive SMS/MMS, though I believe it is cheaper than even Simple Mobile when used only for SMS/MMS in NA.

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by adam917

Correct me if I'm wrong but, from what I understand Jolt/Beyond GSM are an AT&T MVNO that has similar or the same coverage AT&T PAYG service has (just the native network) and Tuyo is a T-Mobile MVNO that has no roaming either.

I keep my T-Mobile To-Go line active due to their roaming agreements (and dropped my AT&T PAYG line due to their lack of them, not to mention other crap) around North America (including Canada & Mexico). It's also nice to get _some_ Internet access (and MMS) even though it is extremely limited. Of course it sucks that one is charged to receive SMS/MMS, though I believe it is cheaper than even Simple Mobile when used only for SMS/MMS in NA.

Correct on both counts. Both the Jolt (Beyond GSM/Beyond Wireless in Ohio went bankrupt and Jolt/N.E.T. in California took over their accounts) and Tuyo sim cards are MVNO's limited to the native networks of their respective backbone carriers.
Advantages are cheaper rates per minute for domestic (with promotional discounts Tuyo is about 7 US cents a minute and Jolt is a flat 15 cents), heavily discounted international rates, and with the Tuyo card, the ability to use the sim card balance as a calling card. Since my primary interest in these 2 cards is inexpensive voice and occasional SMS, it works for me. Jolt is more expensive per minute than Tuyo but has coverage in areas that Tuyo does not(in a dual sim phone I'll look at which sim works, has a decent signal, and has a cheaper rate).
Disadvantages are refills are not as widely available (use the internet for that), nickel and diming for receiving text messages, neither have comprehensive data services(Tuyo only has download store and MMS; Jolt has neither), and they can't roam on other carriers in the US or other countries. But since I've got the ekit Simple Calling sim, a Digicel Bermuda sim, unlocked GSM phones, a satphone, a 3G wireless USB data key, and a wifi phone I'm pretty much covered for my communications needs (all right, it's probably overkill, but I like options).

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by GadgetKen

I'm pretty much covered for my communications needs (all right, it's probably overkill, but I like options).

The fact you like options probably confirms your name. And some day those options might save a life or at least make someones life easier.