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About LinkBacksLet me know how it goes. We have been thinking about getting one for our trips to Europe.
Let me know how it goes. We have been thinking about getting one for our trips to Europe.
I did get the Telestial one, and for the most part it's been ok. The rate to make calls or send texts is a little high, but it is nice to have some of the features they include (like having a US and UK number on the same card). If you'll only be in 1-2 countries, it may be worth it to buy a SIM card from each country individually, but if you're going to be travelling all over it may be worth it to get the Telestial one so you can keep the same number.
I was also thinking of looking at phones that can take 2 SIM cards, that way I can have a local card for local calls relatively cheap, which would be great for me in Spain when I know some people, and that Telestial one for calls to/from home.
Edit: forgot the most important part. At first, I had trouble using it once I got to Spain. I could send text messages, but I couldn't make calls. What seemed to fix the problem was to switch it from automatically connecting to a random company's network (default was Movistar) and specifically tell it to connect to Vodafone's towers instead. Since it's a roaming card, it doesn't really matter which company I connect to, and I had good luck with Vodafone when I was in SVQ a couple years ago.
Last edited by spongebue; 26-Aug-2011 at 07:04 AM.
Spongebue - NonRev Correspondent - U.S./Midwest Region
The Scoop on International SIM cards
Here is the scoop on international SIM cards. If you are traveling only to one country, it makes sense to get a "country specific" SIM card as the rates are very low. For example, the Lebara SIM card for Australia gives you rates of $0.05 to call the US plus free incoming. However, if you are traveling to many countries - or even just 2-3, get a roaming SIM card. I use the National Geographic SIM card for this. Often, I am in a country for 2-3 weeks at a time and I use a local SIM card. The last one was the Uno Mobile SIM card for Italy. You can get in on Amazon or Cellular Abroad - International Cell Phone Rentals and SIM Cards, a company that specializes in country specific SIM cards and will talk to you on the phone, something that Amazon will not do.
Personally, I would never roam with my T-Mobile. I do not want to pay a buck a minute in Europe for a call, especially from Aunt Ruth who won't shut up! "Oh, you're in Italy? that's nice dear...tell me about it!"
I'm with you--we just want to change local sim cards for stays like 3-7 days for local calls. We don't call home unless we're on our netbook with skype. We don't want any roaming. I understand I can buy a local sim for peanuts in most countries from Seven Eleven type stores, as long as I have an unlocked phone like I linked in my # 7 post
Last edited by mrs767er; 02-Sep-2011 at 02:57 PM.
mrs767er - NonRev Correspondent - Specialty Travel
Wherever you go, there you are
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