Suggestions for international SIM cards - Mobile networks when travelling abroad

deepakvrao · 24th July 2008, 21:24

Hi Guys,

We have been using Matrix for our last few trips but in Feb when we went to Italy they looted us, billed us for calls that we never mage, GPRS that we did not use etc.

Now we are planning a Scotland trip in Sep and were looking for alternatives. I saw some ads for Sim cards which will retain the same number in a number of countries, with free incoming etc. Any suggestions/experiences with any company other than Matrix?

NetfreakBombay · 24th July 2008, 21:53

For Scotland, buying a local T-Mobile prepaid SIM might be cheaper. Last time I used it, cost was 5 pounds and came with some talktime as well. Unlike US, incoming is free in UK.

But their roaming rates are atrocious, so useless if you are planning to use same SIM out of UK.

T-Mobile Sim Card on eBay, also, T Mobile UK, Sim Cards, Mobile Home Phones (end time 24-Jul-08 20:34:37 BST)

iraghava · 24th July 2008, 21:57

The cheapest & easiest method that I've found is to use a local sim card of the country you're in. With Matrix billing issues exist as I discovered in 2003 (When I first took one to the US) and after I'd returned it & cleared my dues they called me a month later saying there was an outstanding of Rs 45,000/- against my account for usage on dates when I didn't even have the phone!

Never used them again.

mmmjgm · 24th July 2008, 23:40

Best is to use the local prepaid sims, they are pretty good try out various schemes they have, you can get vodafone and others (not aware of others in the UK) but study them and use the prepaid cards.

For a states trip I landed and went to an AT&T shop got a US$ 30 prepaid card, was good. Whatever the call charges may be ask for a roll over card (the ones where your balance does not expire ) as normally we do not make a lot of calls overseas, i generally used a calling card to call home to India and the outgoing was toll free on the sim to such numbers.

Cheers and have a safe trip.

MMM

Sahil · 25th July 2008, 11:07

Reliance Passport is suppose to be good, i haven't used it myself tho.

But getting a local pre-paid sim card is far cheaper always.

GTO · 25th July 2008, 11:43

Matrix international SIMs are outrageously expensive; too many bad stories around. Do what I do: Before boarding the plane, transfer all calls to voicemail. This way, your phone can stay powered on over the entire trip (without the ringer going off at weird hours), and you can communicate with friends & family via SMS. Once a day, make a 1 - 2 minute call to quickly check your voicemail for any urgent issues.

phamilyman · 25th July 2008, 15:50

I go with ishan. Local SIMs work fine.

That said, Malysia is CHEAP for calling india. While Thailand is frightfully expensive. Make sure you buy from chota markets so you get calling cards for India as well.

deepakchan · 6th April 2009, 12:28

I guess I am the only one happy customer of matrix here. When we went on a tour of New Zealand in Dec2008, they had charged us for 0800-toll free nos, but apart from that, everything was as perfect as they had promised us it would be. Overall usage over close to 20 days came to 11k. And I thought it was a pretty decent deal.

sammyboy · 6th April 2009, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakchan

I guess I am the only one happy customer of matrix here. When we went on a tour of New Zealand in Dec2008, they had charged us for 0800-toll free nos, but apart from that, everything was as perfect as they had promised us it would be. Overall usage over close to 20 days came to 11k. And I thought it was a pretty decent deal.

+1 : We used Matrix in France and Italy and I was pretty satisfied with them.

whatcanthisbe · 6th April 2009, 22:56

always used local SIM cards

mail4ajo · 7th April 2009, 00:37

Local cards are always better, But if you dont have that choice or need a number before you leave, go for Matrix. I found them worth for UK. I just spend about 2.7K for 10 days in UK while I spend 7.3K on Aircel roaming in US.

But I didnt opt for Matrix in US on my second trip as I found their plan wasn't that great. Singapore & Malaysia was also great with free incoming etc

simply_sunny001 · 7th April 2009, 02:41

buy any pay as you go simcard and use your indian phone here in UK and scotland.

All providers have gr8 deals but 3 and vodaphone calls are cheapest.

and its takes 2 mins to get a sim here.

binoyjude · 7th April 2009, 08:48

How is Uniconnect or clay Connections? Any idea about them?Which one of them is best?

binoyjude · 7th April 2009, 08:51

Even there is V Tel international pre paid card and post paid.Has anyone used them?any ideas which ones are the best?

binoyjude · 7th April 2009, 08:53

The problem with Martix is its just for one country.I am looking for a permenant International Number,which can be used when out of India.Does anyone have any suggestions?

24th July 2008, 21:24	#1
deepakvrao BANNED Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 2 Times	Suggestions for international SIM cards - Mobile networks when travelling abroad Hi Guys, We have been using Matrix for our last few trips but in Feb when we went to Italy they looted us, billed us for calls that we never mage, GPRS that we did not use etc. Now we are planning a Scotland trip in Sep and were looking for alternatives. I saw some ads for Sim cards which will retain the same number in a number of countries, with free incoming etc. Any suggestions/experiences with any company other than Matrix?
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 21:53	#2
NetfreakBombay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 1,124 Times	For Scotland, buying a local T-Mobile prepaid SIM might be cheaper. Last time I used it, cost was 5 pounds and came with some talktime as well. Unlike US, incoming is free in UK. But their roaming rates are atrocious, so useless if you are planning to use same SIM out of UK. T-Mobile Sim Card on eBay, also, T Mobile UK, Sim Cards, Mobile Home Phones (end time 24-Jul-08 20:34:37 BST)
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 21:57	#3
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 279 Times View My Garage	The cheapest & easiest method that I've found is to use a local sim card of the country you're in. With Matrix billing issues exist as I discovered in 2003 (When I first took one to the US) and after I'd returned it & cleared my dues they called me a month later saying there was an outstanding of Rs 45,000/- against my account for usage on dates when I didn't even have the phone! Never used them again.
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 23:40	#4
mmmjgm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: BOM, PNQ, DXB Posts: 398 Thanked: 30 Times	Best is to use the local prepaid sims, they are pretty good try out various schemes they have, you can get vodafone and others (not aware of others in the UK) but study them and use the prepaid cards. For a states trip I landed and went to an AT&T shop got a US$ 30 prepaid card, was good. Whatever the call charges may be ask for a roll over card (the ones where your balance does not expire ) as normally we do not make a lot of calls overseas, i generally used a calling card to call home to India and the outgoing was toll free on the sim to such numbers. Cheers and have a safe trip. MMM
	() Thanks

25th July 2008, 11:07	#5
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,350 Thanked: 7,952 Times	Reliance Passport is suppose to be good, i haven't used it myself tho. But getting a local pre-paid sim card is far cheaper always.
	() Thanks

25th July 2008, 11:43	#6
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 72,856 Thanked: 319,198 Times View My Garage	Matrix international SIMs are outrageously expensive; too many bad stories around. Do what I do: Before boarding the plane, transfer all calls to voicemail. This way, your phone can stay powered on over the entire trip (without the ringer going off at weird hours), and you can communicate with friends & family via SMS. Once a day, make a 1 - 2 minute call to quickly check your voicemail for any urgent issues.
	() Thanks

25th July 2008, 15:50	#7
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,976 Thanked: 4,673 Times	I go with ishan. Local SIMs work fine. That said, Malysia is CHEAP for calling india. While Thailand is frightfully expensive. Make sure you buy from chota markets so you get calling cards for India as well.
	() Thanks

6th April 2009, 12:28	#8
deepakchan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 126 Thanked: 51 Times	A happy customer! I guess I am the only one happy customer of matrix here. When we went on a tour of New Zealand in Dec2008, they had charged us for 0800-toll free nos, but apart from that, everything was as perfect as they had promised us it would be. Overall usage over close to 20 days came to 11k. And I thought it was a pretty decent deal.
	() Thanks

6th April 2009, 22:56	#10
whatcanthisbe BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: http://www.wandering-online.com Posts: 499 Thanked: 6 Times	always used local SIM cards
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 00:37	#11
mail4ajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,959 Thanked: 336 Times View My Garage	Local cards are always better, But if you dont have that choice or need a number before you leave, go for Matrix. I found them worth for UK. I just spend about 2.7K for 10 days in UK while I spend 7.3K on Aircel roaming in US. But I didnt opt for Matrix in US on my second trip as I found their plan wasn't that great. Singapore & Malaysia was also great with free incoming etc
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 02:41	#12
simply_sunny001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London & Rohtak Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	buy any pay as you go simcard and use your indian phone here in UK and scotland. All providers have gr8 deals but 3 and vodaphone calls are cheapest. and its takes 2 mins to get a sim here.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 08:48	#13
binoyjude BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New delhi Posts: 59 Thanked: 0 Times	How is Uniconnect or clay Connections? Any idea about them?Which one of them is best?
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 08:51	#14
binoyjude BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New delhi Posts: 59 Thanked: 0 Times	Even there is V Tel international pre paid card and post paid.Has anyone used them?any ideas which ones are the best?
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 08:53	#15
binoyjude BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New delhi Posts: 59 Thanked: 0 Times	The problem with Martix is its just for one country.I am looking for a permenant International Number,which can be used when out of India.Does anyone have any suggestions?
	() Thanks