Originally Posted by
gfunkdave
Yes, if you want to forward your existing US cell phone number, you would need to keep your cell phone service active in the US. If you don't want to do that, you can get a SkypeIn number in the US and set it to forward to your temporary European SIM's. Skype charges something like $0.15/min or less for that. You might even be able to port your existing cell number to Skype.
I still say that's your cheapest option.
Ok, this option amounts to:
1. Get a Google Voice number for $20
2. Sign up for SkypeIn (looks like $36 for 6 months)
3. Forward calls to new mobile phone
The prices per call for this are about $.24/min (varies depending on country), but they would be cheaper than a global sim. The downside to this, is I have to buy a new SIM card in each country I go to and I leave any unused credit I've bought on the table when I leave (a likely scenario).
The other downside to this is that this is only for incoming calls to my mobile phone, I am at the mercy of my SIM card company if I make outgoing calls/texts back to the US or for 3G data usage. In doing some admittedly quick research, it seems that calling internationally on prepaid "domestic" SIM cars is a bit more expensive than on global SIM cards, but 3G data is generally cheaper than on the global SIM cards.
I think this is a good option, I just have to deal with the hassle of researching/buying a new SIM card in each country. It seems more suited to the not-so-transient-traveler.