GSM Phone Accounts
GSM phone service is the equivalent of your own cell phone (your US cell phone probably won't work internationally or will be very expensive). And you can swap in new SIM cards from country to country. Unlocked GSM phones are hard to get in the US (learn what that means to you), and you may thus want to rent one (below).
GSM accounts generally guarantee cheap rates, depending on your SIM card (how about seventeen cents per minute from Australia to the US and normal local Australia rates?) and service is available in most countries once you set up an account with a GSM network. GSM phones run from $50USD to $700USD, depending on gadgetry level.
The SIM card gives you a cell phone number and determines what features are available on the GSM network you choose.
You can buy a prepaid SIM card or choose a card that is billed monthly, which requires a contract and credit check.
Rental GSM phones
Rental GSM phones are also available for around $50 per month; you will still have to purchase SIM cards in most cases.
- SIM cards resources
- For more GSM phone information:
- www.telestial.com - 1-858-274-2686
- www.acetelecom.com - 1-305-409-6161 (GSM phone rental only)
- www.telestial.com - 1-858-274-2686
International Cell Phone Rental
If you have a sack full of money, rented cell phones are very convenient. Catching a flight tomorrow? You will have the phone by then with no contract or credit check; all charges will be billed to your credit card.
- International cell phone rental costs (according to Roberts' Rent-a-phone):
- International cell phone rentals are $35 per week and $5 for additional days or $100 per month, subject to seasonal discounts.
- Delivery of the phone is $10 each way. Calls within most European countries are $1.15USD per minute. Incoming calls are $1.70USD per minute and calls to the US are $2.25USD per minute.
- International cell phone rentals are $35 per week and $5 for additional days or $100 per month, subject to seasonal discounts.
Some companies may also bill you for roaming or connection charges. Check with a couple of companies before you rent.
- For more international cell phone rental information:
- www.globalphoneworks.com - 1-800-556-0530
- www.roberts-rent-a-phone.com - 1-800-964-2468
About Satellite Phones
According to Sam Crowther of MiamiSatPhone Store, satellite phones are akin to cell phones of five years ago: wildly varying prices and few providers. You can get a sat phone for as little as $395 (that's from Globalstar, but you must use Globalstar's service, which does not cover the globe).
If you want to use a sat phone and send and receive short e-mails on the phone's LCD readout no matter where you are hanging your hat, you will need an Iridium phone and Iridium service; expect to spend $850-$1500USD for the $850USD model.
Satellite phone costs
- No matter which service you use, activation is usually $50USD and monthly access charge for service is $30-$35USD.
- Optional voice mail is $30 USD monthly. Outgoing calls are anywhere from $0.99USD to $1.50USD per minute and incoming calls are free.
- You can rent a satellite phone for your travel outside the $300-400USD per month; outgoing calls are around $1.39 to $1.75USD per minute.
- For more satellite phone information:
- www.satphonestore.com - 1-800-940-9636
- www.telestial.com - 1-858-274-2686
- www.satphonestore.com - 1-800-940-9636
Please go on to the next page to learn about Skype, why we love SKype, and how it can provide totally free international phone calls!
