Mobile Roaming: Cheapest Calls When You're Abroad

payless

some of the global sims have free incoming calls in SA

redux

Mo-Call looks like it has a choice of callback and callthrough systems. I can't tell if the callback is sms triggered or by using a small Java program installed on the phone - the ambiguity arises because the tab on the window says sms callback, but there's a hint about downloads, and they mention a list of which phones it will work with.

Basically, using callback converts an incoming call to an outgoing one. Your own phone rings, and on answer you have the destination ringing. So the tariff is the sum of the two call legs.

If you use your O2 phone abroad, you will still incur an incoming roaming fee from O2 (except if using their My Europe Extra add-on in Europe), so any saving using callback is not that great - the separate provider tariff is playing against the margin between O2's incoming and outgoing roaming rates.

What makes more sense with callback is to use it with a local SIM card. Thus your incoming call is free, and you might have cheaper int'l rates than the SIM's indigenous tariff. Certainly true for South Africa, where the main networks' rates to UK are 50p or so. Even better, use callback to a local landline - for example chat up the hotel receptionist to tell you the direct incoming number to your room; don't mention callback, just suggest it's to save them the effort of putting your family through to you.

Another choice in some countries is callthrough. This is effectively similar to a calling card - using a local network mobile, call a local access number, then on to the destination.

Some countries have some SIM card brands with cheap int'l calls anyway, but this doesn't happen everywhere.

In this particular case, South Africa, I'd go with either a local SIM plus callback, or the advice of payless above. There are several global roaming SIMs, and some of these could come out of your O2 minutes, useful for forwarding your incoming calls

jago25_98

http://www.storytelecom.com <- Never managed to make a successful call. £30 wasted. I'm in Norway now and I can't even receive a call.

What I need is a SIM that doesn't charge for incoming calls. Unfortunately these do in some countries:
https://www.worldsim.com/tariffs.aspx
http://www.sim4travel.com/our_rates/

I wonder what Lichtenstein tourists pay to receive on holiday?

Without on incoming call charges I'm up against a brick wall. Call backs will still incur a charge for recieving

jago25_98

All solutions have drawbacks. Why can't we just go anywhere and be have free incoming calls??

1) Local simcard (need to be there a while)
2) Find internet/WiFi (Fring or VoIPCheap online call initiator)
3) International simcard that doesn't charge incoming calls for the country you're going to
4) SMSBug txt and ask them to call you back to a phone box or hotel reception
5) Commit to Voda passport or similar (need to travel the whole month as it's only on a month by month basis)
6) Some countries (i.e. Madagascar) have stalls with mobile phone where you can hire someone's phone to make or receive a call
7) 3G internet local to the country
8) Satellite internet and VoIP

redux

jago25_98 wrote: »

What I need is a SIM that doesn't charge for incoming calls. Unfortunately these do in some countries:

You can't expect to have free incoming calls everywhere.

There is still a finite wholesale cost to providers for these calls retailed free, and they underwrite that possibly partly by a share of the incoming termination fees, but mostly by expecting to make enough on the outgoing calls.

But in addition to that, some countries are just more expensive to roam in anyway, due to extra charges imposed by the visited networks, to cover either greedy profits or higher infrastructure costs.

The various roaming SIMs have differing ranges of cheap destinations though, so you can find worthwhile (if not quite free incoming) choices for at least 150 countries.

BigSaver_2

What sim card can be purchased to call Rebtel local number for free/small charge in the US?

Thank you

redux

BigSaver wrote: »

What sim card can be purchased to call Rebtel local number for free/small charge in the US?

Thank you

You won't find free calls, just normal tariffs on any SIM

but some brands e.g. Tuyo have cheap international calls anyway

compare networks and tariffs - http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/usa.html

jon_r_2

payless wrote: »

some of the global sims have free incoming calls in SA

Do you know off hand the best global one for S.A. My daughter is
out there for a while,i was toying with Mobi Call but someone on
here (may have been you!) did suggest savings would be minimal
She is on 02.

redux

I've just learned that 3 Like Home is to be phased out on 30th June, on both contract and payg, so make the most of it. Somehow the replacement seems unlikely to be an improvement, especially as they put up their roaming rates in Europe not long ago

Goodbye 3 Like Home

If you're travelling to a destination with a 3 sister network before 30th June, why not take advantage of our 3 Like Home offer? This promotional offer will end on 30th June when we'll be announcing new text & internet data prices for the summer. These will include great prices for some of the most popular destinations.

http://www.three.co.uk/Help_Support/International/3_Like_Home_Pay_As_You_Go

theradfords

What is the best SIM to purchase, we are currently on Tesco PAYG.
We want to call either a UK landline or a UK mobile each day from our cruise, just to check that all is well.
What is the cheapest way of doing this please?

thanks