Prepaid SIM Cards For Mobile Phones Offer New Solutions For Travelers

A SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) is a small chip that is placed inside of an unlocked phone (basically any phone that is not programmed to work with a single service provider). This chip allows for a mobile service provider to recognize that phone and authorize it to make calls on their cellular network. SIM cards run on the international standard network called GSM. Almost all cellular service providers work on the GSM network, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the united states.

So how does prepaid cellular service fit into this whole network, you may ask? It’s kind of complicated, but the end result means cheaper international calling. Basically, there are prepaid SIM card providers that bypass local mobile service providers so that high per minute calling rates are not incurred.

This is a huge benefit for frequent international travelers who pay high monthly fees for roaming charges or international plans. Using a prepaid SIM card when traveling abroad for just ten days can save a single person hundreds of dollars in roaming charges. What’s even better is that because prepaid international sim cards work in over 150 countries across the globe, travelers do not have to buy local plans when crossing a border, and can call internationally for cheap wherever they go.

OneSimCard and TravelSim were one of the first companies to introduce this product to consumers, though many new companies have emerged over the years. Getting a starter package that comes preloaded with airtime is pretty cheap, usually running around 40 dollars. On average, making a call from abroad to the United States costs 60 cents, compared to making a roaming call from a local service provider, which can cost over 5 dollars in some countries! Because these SIM cards are prepaid, there are no fees, monthly or otherwise.

For more information, feel free to visit www.onesimcard.com or www.travelsim.com