Nobody likes data roaming. Those of us who travel often or who getting our service through smaller providers are intimately familiar with it. A company like Verizon is likely to charge a customer upwards of three dollars a minute for a phone call from abroad. And that’s not even where it hurts the most. The poor souls who need internet access while roaming fork over even more cash.
When are you roaming?
You’re roaming anytime you’re outside your phone provider’s area of coverage. That’s those big, splotchy maps that cell phone commercials always brag about. In the United States, larger providers usually waive fees for roaming domestically (but still be careful if you dare venture to Alaska). But there’s no escaping them if you have big travel plans.
What is roaming-phobia?
Extremely common is what it is. Most people experience trepidation about using their phones while they’re traveling, wary of accidentally accruing hundreds of dollars in extra charges. Hearing their phone ring is a stressful sound for a traveler.
To describe this feeling, BNESIM has coined the term “roaming-phobia.” Anyone who travels will know all too well just how serious it can get. Imagine having to tier up your contacts to determine which are important enough that you’re willing to face severe roaming fees to stay in contact with them. Imagine having to tell your parents they didn’t make the cut!
But it doesn’t have to be like that.
Enter the international SIM card
Let’s say you want to travel to Europe. Major cell providers like Verizon or Sprint do offer global plans, but they’re pricey. And they’ll set you down the path of buying plans on top of services on top of add-ons just to guarantee that you’ll be able to use data while you travel. It’s much simpler and cheaper to hook your phone up with an international SIM card.
Most smartphones use SIM cards which can be switched out at your leisure. For a new SIM card to work, your phone needs to be unlocked and some providers might charge you for that service. But once it’s done you’re free to use any SIM card you want.
International SIM cards are meant for globe-trotting. They work all over the world and don’t stick you with roaming charges. Each International SIM company will have a long list of countries where you’ll be guaranteed service.
Why choose an international SIM?
International SIM cards aren’t your only SIM card option for global travel. You can also go in for a local SIM from whichever country you visit. Local SIM cards only work in one place and are usually a little cheaper. But in most cases, an international card is still going to be your best bet.
International SIM cards can be used trip after trip. While a local SIM is only good in one area, an international SIM can go with you all over the world. They’re especially useful if you have an itinerary with layovers in different countries.
In some countries, local SIM’s can be a bit cheaper. You may even find places with great deals for tourists and travelers. But these savings are often lost as soon as you take a second trip (or end up roaming on your local SIM). International SIM cards are a travel investment, like a high-quality suitcase or passport.
You can get your international SIM card up and running before you even head to the airport. This means you’ll know your new phone number in time to give it out to friends and family. You’ll also get the luxury of configuring your new SIM in English. A local SIM card will often prompt you in the official language of the country you bought it in.
International SIM cards allow you to top off your data online anytime. Most local SIM’s require you to buy data on prepaid cards that you find in local stores.
Which international SIM card should you buy?
There are a lot of companies that offer international SIM cards, so you have some room to be picky. Look around for the company that’s going to give you the best price on the services that you need. BNESIM offers an international SIM with some nice benefits for frequent travelers or those vacationing in groups. For starters, they offer free calls and texts between people using their SIM’s, so if your whole family wants to take their phones on the trip, you can save some serious money. They also don’t let your data expire. As long as your account is still active, you can roll your unused data over to your next worldly adventure, free from surprise charges or that dreaded roaming-phobia.
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