One question that we often get asked by travellers is ‘what’s the best type of SIM for me – a Global SIM card or a country specific International SIM?’
Despite our experience and expertise there’s actually only really one person that can ultimately decide that, so here’s some useful advice to help you make that decision.
Generally speaking you have two options to choose from. The Global SIM card and the country specific / International SIM. Both have their benefits and disadvantages although either will save you a small fortune compared with roaming charges that are normally applied by your UK mobile network.
Brands and networks
The Global SIM card market has emerged since 2002 and the clear market leader is our partner network eKIT. Their Global SIM card not only offers the lowest rates but has several advantages such as FREE incoming calls and an O2 Network mobile number.
Our range of International SIM cards are all provided by major local networks such as Vodafone, T-Mobile or Optus. All provide extremely reliable service and cheaper local rates than the global SIM card.
How do they work?
This probably differentiates them most clearly. A International SIM from a national network will operate in exactly the same way as you are used to suing a UK network SIM card. You dial a number directly and receive call directly (with or without international dialling codes as required). The same thing goes for text messages. Picture messages can also be sent and received in the same way and this is one advantage over a Global SIM card as they cannot yet facilitate picture messaging.
A Global SIM card on the other hand normally works on a ‘call-back’ process which, initially, can be a bit strange. With a Global SIM card you make a call and usually pre-fix it with a +44 or perhaps a short dial code depending on your handset. The phone then places the call but cuts your connection. Seconds later your phone rings, you answer and hear the number you were calling ringing out. The recipient then answers normally.
Coverage
A Global SIM card will win hands down every time as they tend to work in around 100 countries and in many of them you can receive calls for free. Be careful to check out each destination though as the rates do vary around the globe. A foreign SIM will only provide cost effective coverage in the home territory although some can roam outside of that country but roaming charges then apply.
Buying the SIM
Generally speaking there is not much in it. Expect to pay around £15-30 for either a Global SIM card or a International SIM card and you’ll also receive some free starter credit to get you going.
Phone numbers
This is probably one of the key considerations and is really down to the nature of your trip. A International SIM card will always be based on a foreign mobile number range local to that country. This is a big benefit if you are an expat with a second home needing to contact services and trades people locally, or planning a working gap year across Australia for instance. The local number gives you a local identity and you’re more likely to get a call returned.
The Global SIM card has a UK based number, so it gives you a UK identity the same way as your normal UK SIM although you still avoid roaming charges because if the way it routes the calls. It can therefore be a benefit to business travellers who wish to maintain a UK ID on their travels or have UK customers call them on a UK number without the roaming costs.
Customer support
Global SIM card networks being based in the UK tend to offer more personal support, but can sometimes only be reached via email. However, the staff tend to be more knowledgeable and able to help when problems occur. Foreign SIM networks are no different to the customer service experience you’d expect from a UK national network, only you have the language barrier to deal with.
Call quality
National networks still offer the best consistency of call quality and connections as they are based on tried and tested platforms using robust technology. However, Global SIM card networks have worked hard and covered much ground in recent years and it’s difficult to split them on quality any longer.
Adding credit and expiry
This is where they differ in a big way. Rule of thumb for a UK resident buying a foreign SIM that you can only top up over the counter, using local currency when you are in the destination country. That means that if you have a SIM that will expire every 6 or 9 months you need to ensure you visit the country and top up while you are there to maintain the number. Each country and networks is different but this is a limitation of any foreign network SIM. On the other hand a Global SIM card will offer a variety of top up options from either the UK or when you are abroad. Usually you can do it on-line for free, call the network, request an auto top up or have someone else do it for you on-line. The validity of the SIM tends to be around 12 months so it’s easier to maintain the number as you can top up with more flexibility.
Call rates and savings
As we mentioned earlier, both a International SIM and a Global SIM card will make some big savings, but it’s really down to where you plan to travel to. A Global SIM card has excellent coverage across a huge variety of countries and the rates tend to always save you money versus the roaming charges a UK network applies. Free incoming calls are also available in many of the countries covered but not all. However, whilst they can be very cost effective in Europe, Australia and South Africa for instance, they do not work as hard for you in SE Asia, the USA or say India. Whilst a foreign SIM does not have the geographical coverage of a Global SIM card, the call rates in their country of origin will normally beat the Global SIM card every time as well as providing a free incoming call in the majority of destinations. Check out the detail on your chosen provider and compare the rates before you buy.
People calling you
Understandably travellers adopting a Global SIM card or country specific solutions to save while they travel need to know that it’s easy (and cheap) for their friends and family to call them. The Global SIM card has a major advantage with its UK mobile number, for instance, BT only charge a national rate call to contact it. However, if an International SIM card is used then there are dial through services that can be used free of charge to drop the cost of calling a foreign mobile number to a few pennies, so both options can provide ease of contact for your contacts.
Phone compatibility
Generally both the Global SIM and foreign SIM will work in any handset that operates on the GSM frequencies. In certain territories like the USA you’ll need to ensure that handset is a tri-band model, which not all are, and in Japan a 3G handset will be required. The most important thing for all handsets is that they must be SIM free or unlocked from the original network that it was working on. This can be done on line or via UK retailers but its advisable to sort this step before you go otherwise your investment in a Global SIM card or foreign SIM will be in vain.
So, which is it to be?…
The decision is yours, but as a general check list; match the destination/s to the SIM card and check the rates and savings. Consider how you will be able to top up easiest at your location. Decide if the local or UK number is important, and then simply buy one. Bottom line is, that compared to the cost of your flights, accommodation and other aspects of your planned expenditure, £20-30 invested in a Global SIM card or a foreign SIM will be a small percentage of your budget and means you’ll save money whilst staying in touch.
To find out more please check out our Global SIM card and our range of international SIM cards here.