Today’s world is more connected than ever. A few international calls made from your hotel room aren’t going to cut it anymore. These days, when people cross international borders, they’re bringing their cell phones with them. But when you’re traveling abroad, odds are you’re more than a little unsure of how to smartly use your cell phone without coming home to a swath of unreasonable charges.
To help the worldly traveler, whether the trips are for business or pleasure, is the global SIM card. Most cell phones operate using a SIM, and if your phone is unlocked you can swap out these cards at will. The SIM card provided to you back home is only valid for use within your country’s borders, and if you do get service abroad, you’ll be looking at some pretty overwhelming roaming charges.
This is where global SIM cards come into play.
A global SIM card is a SIM built for international travel. They operate exclusively on prepaid data, and depending on the company, they offer you access to local phone networks all over the world at low, per-GB prices. They’re indispensable for those who travel frequently or whose itineraries take them through multiple countries.
But which global SIM card should you buy? Thanks to continued advancements in LTE networks, the business of selling global SIM cards has been steadily rising for years. There are a lot of options to choose from now, but they’re not all interchangeable. Just like with your home network, each option deserves serious scrutiny to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. Here we’ve compared the services of one global SIM company, BNESIM with that of another, StarHub.
The first and possibly most important question to ask when comparing global SIM options. Will the service offer you coverage at your destination? For many travelers, this may be as far as you need to delve into any SIM card comparison, especially if you plan to travel to a less trafficked area of the world.
BNESIM has the largest area of flat rate coverage. They offer coverage in 170 countries, 65 of which are considered Internet Home Countries where flat rates for data use apply. If you’re traveling to a destination which is not a member of the Internet Home Countries, you’ll have to purchase an international data package specific to that country and the prices vary, usually falling into the range of $20-50 per GB of data.
StarHub is considerably smaller, offering service free from roaming charges in just 17 countries, most of which are in Asia. For services beyond this list, you must sign up for their pre-paid roaming service, which can get a bit pricey with calls being as expensive as $6 a minute and data use costing $.05 per 10KB.
Another pertinent question is whether or not your unused data disappears after a period of time. Many people want to carry their data over to their next trip or use it up when they return home.
Data from BNESIM never expires, though you are required to keep your account active. This means that you have to top up your data once every six months to enjoy having no blackout dates. This situation works well for people who travel often.
Data from StarHub comes in packages that last for 3, 7, or 30 days. The option to use your leftover data is valid only in Singapore. So only if Singapore is the last leg of your trip, or you live there, can you ensure you don’t pre-pay for data you end up not using.
The bottom line for most people is cost. And while the prices and cost-effective nature of any global SIM is ultimately going to be dependent on your data needs and destination, here’s a general idea of the prices from each company.
The cost of each GB of data is going to be about $20 dollars with BNESIM. An hour of talk will run you about $10. BNESIM also offers unlimited plans for a variety of areas that usually land between $20 and $60. BNESIM also provides the option of local data packages, also with no expiration, starting from $5.80 per GB. Also, BNESIM does not charge for you actual SIM card and their Terms and Services are largely free of hidden charges.
StarHub prices are slightly cheaper per GB of data, usually between $5 and $10, but only in the 17 countries they serve. However, they charge a $37 activation fee for the use of their SIM card as well as another $10 fee for any new subscription. There are several other fees hidden within their Terms and Services, as well.
You don’t need any extra worries while you travel. So be sure to give yourself ample time before your travel date to shop for the SIM card and data plan that’s going to best fit your specific needs.
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