PHONING HOME
How to make calls while you're abroad

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By Paul Boschen

If you are planning to study and travel abroad but are wondering about an affordable option for calling home, this article covers some of the information you need to know.

What are SIM cards and GSM?

In the last few years, SIM cards that are made especially for international calling have lowered the cost of calling home from abroad to manageable, even quite cheap levels. All handsets that use SIM Cards are GSM handsets. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. SIM cards let your phone know who your service provider is and what your plan and rates will be. U.S. carriers AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile and Canadian carrier Rogers all use this GSM technology. Phones that use GSM all have SIM cards installed, but will they work overseas when you insert an International SIM card?

Purchasing an SIM card prior to travel provides some nice advantages. For example a traveler from the U.S. flying over to the U.K. can purchase a SIM card online, have it shipped to their home and be ready to call from Europe as soon as they land at Heathrow. International SIM cards and Global SIM cards can be used to call locally or back home without paying hefty roaming charges from your regular carrier.

Will my U.S. handset function as an international cell phone?

Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology, which is incompatible with GSM networks used in much of the world. If you have a service with GSM networks T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless then you might be in luck if you have a World Phone, otherwise known as a tri-brand (or quad-band) phone. However, if you have a dual-band handset operating on the standard U.S. 850/1900 MHz frequencies, you won’t find a signal in Europe. You will need to upgrade to a handset that works on the International 900/1800 MHz frequencies.

So I have a World Phone—Am I set to go?

Most phones sold by GSM providers are locked. Carriers do this intentionally so that the discounted handsets they provide can’t be easily switched over to a rival company’s SIM card. That also applies to International SIM cards. The simple solution is to call up your provider and ask for their help in unlocking your phone—they are usually accommodating for a small fee. If you don’t have a tri-band phone and must source a new handset for your trip abroad, an unlocked quad-band (or tri-band, they work just as well) International Cell Phone will allow you to call from any country and use any company’s SIM cards.

Things to remember:

1. • You need an International SIM card
   •
2. You need a GSM Handset
3. 
   • Your handset needs to be unlocked
4. 
   • You need a tri-band or quad-band handset that works on at least one of the 900 or 1800 GSM frequencies:
   1. 
      —850/1900 MHz US, Canada, Caribbean, and some South American countries
1. —900/1800 MHz Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and NZ

Prepaid Global SIM cards:

If you are visiting a number of different countries, then an International SIM card removes the need to expensively roam on just one single-country SIM card. A TIM SIM is great for just Italy and Mobile World is great for just the U.K., but take them into another European country and you’ll get stung. Swapping over to multiple single-country SIM cards is also an expensive hassle. 

An International SIM card made for roaming gives you one number (preferably +44, which is based in the U.K.) for use in each country you visit.

Pre-paid Global SIM cards allow you to add to your starting credit anytime, making everything much easier to manage. Check your per-minute rates before buying and make sure you choose a SIM card with a plan that’s good for you.

Telestial’s SIM Cards all offer these great benefits:

1. • Excellent coverage in over 110 countries    
2. 
   •
3. 24/7 Customer Service
4. 
   • International text messages from $0.49 USD each
5. 
   • It is prepaid, so no contracts, no credit checks, and no monthly fees
6. 
   • View call records and recharge receipts online
7. 
   • 9 month credit expiration from your last phone call
8. 
   • A United Kingdom +44 phone number

 

Satellite Phones

Satellite phones are your best communications solution if you’re traveling into areas with limited regular cell coverage or poor landline service. Eighty-six percent of the world's landmass and all of its oceans are in areas without regular communications. A satellite phone provides coverage in all ocean areas, air routes and landmasses as satellite phones are not dependent on location. You can either buy a satellite phone or rent one for your travels.

Rent a satellite phone

Whether you’re sailing the world, trekking through the Amazon or tackling an African safari, the one thing you’ll need on each of them to be sure you’re always in comms range is a satellite phone. Satellite phone rentals are available from $9 a day with rates from $1.69 a minute.

Using your satellite phone is as simple as using a cellular phone and all satellite phones include a variety of lightweight accessories for easy charging and set-up.

If you are taking a cruise, you should definitely consider bring a satellite phone. Using the ship's phone will cost you $10 to $15 or more per minute. Using your Iridium satellite phone, the most you'll ever pay is $1.69 per minute.

Buy your own satellite phone

If you’re planning to travel frequently into areas where you’ll need satellite phone coverage, then buying your own satellite phone will save you those daily rental fees and lower your calling rate.

The Iridium 9505a Satellite Phone is smaller, lighter and more resistant to water, dust and shock than any previous satellite phone. It's ideal for industrial and rugged conditions, while still maintaining a very sleek professional appearance.

Business, adventure, or pleasure, you can stay in touch across seas and time zones, in remote locations and on the go. One global satellite phone number is all you need, throughout the entire world to keep you connected.