Thoughts on international roaming for infrequent users?

John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>[POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
>In <vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com> on Thu, 03 Jul 2003 18:27:27
>-0700, John <usenet@nospam.org> wrote:
>
>>The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
>>to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
>>thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
>>the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
>>
>>Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
>>almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
>>Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
>>contract service to be eligible.
>>
>>Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
>
>Use local prepaid when overseas.

That makes no sense at all. Local prepaids expire in weeks or months
(with the exception of Virgin UK afaik), so almost 100% of the cost
would go in the trash.

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <p8tcgv08det8kf410ogspam9qt86q3i689@4ax.com> on Fri, 04 Jul 2003 23:52:35
-0700, John <usenet@nospam.org> wrote:

>John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>>Use local prepaid when overseas.
>
>That makes no sense at all. Local prepaids expire in weeks or months
>(with the exception of Virgin UK afaik), so almost 100% of the cost
>would go in the trash.

Easily solved -- don't buy more than you need. It's so much cheaper you can
afford to waste a fair amount in any event.

--
Best regards,
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/> HELP PAGES FOR
CINGULAR GSM + ERICSSON PHONES: <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

Thanks, Stuart. Roadpost seems like a pretty good resource, especially
for their "Zone 1" countries. I was surprised that Iridium isn't very
expensive, either. Besides all that they offer GRIC Internet access,
although I suppose AOL is the way to get that on the cheap.


"Stuart Friedman" <stu@nospam.na> wrote:

>Look at roadpost.com's subscription SIM service, when coupled with a
>callback service, it is pretty close to easyroam. Also, Swisscom's Natel
>prepaids are very similar to their easyroam.
>
>
>"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
>news:n%8Na.8199$%3.359113@typhoon.sonic.net...
>> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>>
>> In <vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com> on Thu, 03 Jul 2003
>18:27:27
>> -0700, John <usenet@nospam.org> wrote:
>>
>> >The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
>> >to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
>> >thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
>> >the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
>> >
>> >Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
>> >almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
>> >Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
>> >contract service to be eligible.
>> >
>> >Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
>>
>> Use local prepaid when overseas.
>>
>> --
>> Best regards,
>> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/> HELP PAGES FOR
>> CINGULAR GSM + ERICSSON PHONES: <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>
>

I have an unlocked GSM phone but remain confused as to the options in the UK
and Paris for example.
1. Can one walk into a store and buy a prepaid sim with time and a number?
2. Where does one find the stores?
3. Are some services cheaper than others? What are the options?

ECL
\
"John" <usenet@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com...
> The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
> to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
> thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
> the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
>
> Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
> almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
> Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
> contract service to be eligible.
>
> Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

1. Yes. Costs for prepaid sims vary greatly but you might expect to
pay zero to about USD30 equivalent for the sim, plus whatever credit
comes with it. They typically expire in a matter of weeks if you don't
add money so they're not ideal for a casual visitor who doesn't need
to talk quite a bit. That's the reason we don't use them.

Per-minute costs are reasonable, but you can't use them outside the
carrier's region. In the U.K. Virgin's card is a pretty good deal with
low cost for the sim and afaik no expiration.

2. For the Virgin card, the Virgin record stores have them. For
others, perhaps cellphone stores, at least they will direct you.

3. Absolutely. Options? Buy the cheapest brand. Otherwise if you're
asking about extra features you might be able to buy, ask the seller.

"ECL" <Lattime@comcast.net> wrote:

>I have an unlocked GSM phone but remain confused as to the options in the UK
>and Paris for example.
>1. Can one walk into a store and buy a prepaid sim with time and a number?
>2. Where does one find the stores?
>3. Are some services cheaper than others? What are the options?
>
>ECL
>\
>"John" <usenet@nospam.org> wrote in message
>news:vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com.. .
>> The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
>> to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
>> thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
>> the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
>>
>> Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
>> almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
>> Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
>> contract service to be eligible.
>>
>> Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
>

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <zCSdnUTVvJnOzpWiXTWJiQ@comcast.com> on Sun, 6 Jul 2003 12:50:29 -0400,
"ECL" <Lattime@comcast.net> wrote:

>I have an unlocked GSM phone but remain confused as to the options in the UK
>and Paris for example.

You'll need a "world standard" phone, since Europe uses different frequencies
from the USA.

>1. Can one walk into a store and buy a prepaid sim with time and a number?

Yes.

>2. Where does one find the stores?

Lots of places, including airports. You can also buy them over the Internet
before you go; e.g., <http://www.buyundercost.com/SIM_CTRY.shtml>.

>3. Are some services cheaper than others? What are the options?

Yes, and it depends on where you are.

Another option is the Swisscom International SIM; e.g.,
<http://www.buyundercost.com/SIM_INTL.shtml>. More expensive, but there are a
number of offsetting benefits, including international roaming.

--
Best regards,
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/> HELP PAGES FOR
CINGULAR GSM + ERICSSON PHONES: <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

I've got access to Earthlink's international roaming which is pretty good
for internet. For prepaid international internet, take a look at
maglobe.com

Stu
"John" <usenet@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:t4hggv4m10jkgrfg5297ddcfghe0kk2obu@4ax.com...
> Thanks, Stuart. Roadpost seems like a pretty good resource, especially
> for their "Zone 1" countries. I was surprised that Iridium isn't very
> expensive, either. Besides all that they offer GRIC Internet access,
> although I suppose AOL is the way to get that on the cheap.
>
>
> "Stuart Friedman" <stu@nospam.na> wrote:
>
> >Look at roadpost.com's subscription SIM service, when coupled with a
> >callback service, it is pretty close to easyroam. Also, Swisscom's Natel
> >prepaids are very similar to their easyroam.
> >
> >
> >"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
> >news:n%8Na.8199$%3.359113@typhoon.sonic.net...
> >> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
> >>
> >> In <vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com> on Thu, 03 Jul 2003
> >18:27:27
> >> -0700, John <usenet@nospam.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> >The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
> >> >to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
> >> >thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
> >> >the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
> >> >
> >> >Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
> >> >almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
> >> >Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
> >> >contract service to be eligible.
> >> >
> >> >Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
> >>
> >> Use local prepaid when overseas.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best regards,
> >> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/> HELP PAGES FOR
> >> CINGULAR GSM + ERICSSON PHONES:
<http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>
> >
>

Does Earthlink use GRIC? AOL does, of course, and I'm wondering if
iPASS is outathere and GRIC is the only game left.

"Stuart Friedman" <stu@nospam.na> wrote:

>I've got access to Earthlink's international roaming which is pretty good
>for internet. For prepaid international internet, take a look at
>maglobe.com
>
>Stu
>"John" <usenet@nospam.org> wrote in message
>news:t4hggv4m10jkgrfg5297ddcfghe0kk2obu@4ax.com.. .
>> Thanks, Stuart. Roadpost seems like a pretty good resource, especially
>> for their "Zone 1" countries. I was surprised that Iridium isn't very
>> expensive, either. Besides all that they offer GRIC Internet access,
>> although I suppose AOL is the way to get that on the cheap.
>>
>>
>> "Stuart Friedman" <stu@nospam.na> wrote:
>>
>> >Look at roadpost.com's subscription SIM service, when coupled with a
>> >callback service, it is pretty close to easyroam. Also, Swisscom's Natel
>> >prepaids are very similar to their easyroam.
>> >
>> >
>> >"John Navas" <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote in message
>> >news:n%8Na.8199$%3.359113@typhoon.sonic.net...
>> >> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.gsm - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>> >>
>> >> In <vdl9gvoovj16afnakikg5cqspd6tqd682j@4ax.com> on Thu, 03 Jul 2003
>> >18:27:27
>> >> -0700, John <usenet@nospam.org> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >The family travels overseas on holiday and being spoiled by being able
>> >> >to keep in touch at home we've been using Easyroam to do the same
>> >> >thing more or less wherever we are. No big deal usage, just a "I'm by
>> >> >the pool, can you bring some sunscreen?"
>> >> >
>> >> >Easyroam is soon to be history, and our local carrier, Cingular, has
>> >> >almost cornered the market on price-gouging for international roaming.
>> >> >Besides we use prepaids at home and would have to sign up for a 2-year
>> >> >contract service to be eligible.
>> >> >
>> >> >Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
>> >>
>> >> Use local prepaid when overseas.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best regards,
>> >> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/> HELP PAGES FOR
>> >> CINGULAR GSM + ERICSSON PHONES:
><http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>
>> >
>>
>