| If you are a business traveler who often travels | | | | country you are in. They are fairly inexpensive |
| outside the United States, you will need an | | | | and will usually allow anybody to call you at no |
| international cellular service before you can make | | | | additional charge. The cost for these cards is bout |
| calls outside of the country. There are a few | | | | $30 to $60 and they are usually active for up to |
| countries which are on a unified system which is | | | | a year. However, this can get confusing if you |
| known as global services for mobiles. These | | | | visit many different countries since your number |
| international services require a GSM phone and a | | | | would constantly be changing. |
| SIM card which allows your phone to connect to | | | | Global Roaming: There are a few companies that |
| local wireless carriers in whatever country you are | | | | have programs that allow you to use your SIM in |
| in. | | | | your phone in all of the countries you plan to visit. |
| If you already have a cell phone service the | | | | The best benefit to this is you will keep the same |
| chances are fairly high that your phone will not | | | | phone number and the rates are fairly reasonable. |
| work outside of the United States. Some phones | | | | Your rates may be a little higher with this plan but |
| are sold as world phones but they too will have | | | | you will be able to receive and make calls in about |
| limits as to what countries they can be used. | | | | ninety countries around the world. |
| There are different ways you can obtain GSM | | | | If you only travel outside the United States |
| phone service while you are traveling outside the | | | | occasionally it might be more cost effective for |
| United States. One way is the sign up for a | | | | you to buy a prepaid plan which is customized to |
| regular monthly account but this way is not | | | | meet your needs during travel. These might be a |
| practical since it would probably commit you to a | | | | little more expensive but if you only travel rarely |
| contract for a year or more. | | | | there is really no reason for you to buy a phone |
| Roaming: You can always ask your current | | | | since the cost of a phone can run up to $200. |
| provider to switch you to global roaming and this | | | | There are some tips to help keep your |
| would let you use your present phone almost | | | | international calls at lower rates. Often if you have |
| anywhere in the world. This feature does have a | | | | a prepaid SIM card it is cheaper for you to get |
| big drawback. The roaming charges are very | | | | incoming calls than it is to make an outgoing call. |
| expensive. Some of them can be from $1 to $6 | | | | Call the person you need to talk to and ask them |
| per minute so if you travel often and use your | | | | to call you back. Another way to save is to use |
| phone a lot this might not be the way for you to | | | | the call back service. Call the number and hang up |
| go. | | | | before anyone When they get an answer you will |
| Prepaid SIM cards: These cards provide a simple | | | | be on US service which is provided at a discount |
| solution because they allow you to have a local | | | | rate. |
| phone number and calling rate in whatever | | | | |