MONEY SAVER: Global SIM Cards

02 July 2009

Going on holiday this summer? Don't get stung by those international roaming charges

Although Vodafone has slashed their roaming rates this summer, calling and texting from abroad can still be a pricey affair. International or Global SIM cards offer a genuine alternative as they are specifically to be used abroad with the subsequent rates being far more competitive than those offered by the main operators.

GO-SIM

GO-SIM offers the attractive proposition of not charging you for any incoming calls in 75 of the 175 countries their global SIM card works in. What's more calls from abroad made with GO-SIM can start as low as 28p a minute, while the cost of sending a text message is just 22p in all available countries. Unlike other global SIM offerings, there is no expiry date on the SIM so you're under no pressure to use up your credit. The SIM card itself is available for £10 though this doesn't include any call credit. Something else rather cool that GO-SIM offers is the ability to keep track of your emails via a voice activated service. GO-SIM Voice2Email enables you to compose, reply, forward and delete emails all by simply speaking into your phone. It's free to set up once you have purchased a GO-SIM International SIM card.

www.gosim.com

0044

For £19.99 pick up a 0044 global SIM and enjoy free incoming calls in over 60 countries, while £6.70 credit will be included on the card for free. Outgoing and incoming call rates start as low as 30 pence a minute, but by using a 0044 global SIM you'll also be saving the person calling you a large slice of cash. As the 0044 use an Isle of Man mobile number, the price of calling you will be dramatically reduced, with 0044 claiming it to be in the region of 70%. However, to send a text you will be looking at around 43p, which seems a little steep to us.

www.0044.co.uk