Well, there's the US and on the other hand there's the US. ;)

You're probably talking about US deals for US phones. Gosh, even visitors to the US can use phones these days.

I have two phones with SIMs allowing free incoming calls in the US and many other countries. One is Togglemobile mentioned above, the other is eKit. Toggle is more convenient for me.

The KnowRoaming idea looks interesting, especially for those trips visiting several countries on the same itinerary.

Hmmm, I've just been checking some rates. They look expensive.

Pity. I guess I'll be using Toggle plus one other (Toggle has no service out of South Africa).

If I have a US number on my Toggle (plus a UK one) will I get free incoming cas on my US number while visiting the UK?

Their Mexican rates look pretty good. I asked them whether there was a way to still use my regular carrier's data plan where its rates were better than theirs and they said no. I have ATT International iPhone so this is a big deal for me, but the ATT and Verizon data roaming buckets might sometimes be a better deal than Know in some countries.

How are people figuring out their inbound rates?

It looks like they use their own tray for an iPhone which may mean you don't have to permanently bind the sticker to the iPhone SIM.

The rate is on their calculator now, all the way on the right.

Yes. Toggle SIM cards always have a UK "main" number (except perhaps for Dutch ones). You can also register local numbers in each Toggle country. If someone calls any of the numbers registered to your SIM card, your phone will ring and the incoming call will be free.

Actually...I think their top-up minimum is $25. Where did you get $50?

I'm impressed with what it appears that Know does seamlessly, but I don't love the fact that there are no overrides. Let's assume that I have an ATT phone with the Canada Calling option. When I cross the border into Canada, I would probably want to keep the voice calls going directly through ATT. Same thing (sometimes) on data. There are a number of countries where ATT's 100 meg block of roaming data is a better deal than their deal, but I'd still like to use them for voice.

I think the best roaming solution out right now is the Samsung Galaxy S4 dual SIM so you can mix and match these things. I still have ATT's International iPhone and I carry my iPhone in one pocket and a small Nokia hectaband Asha phone in the other with either a prepaid or a roaming SIM. What I'm looking for is something similar in size that can be used with Jokuspot or equivalent.

Know would do really well with a US deal like roammobility targeting Canadians who visit the US alot. Beating Canadian mobile providers at US roaming rates would be like shooting fish out of a barrel.

I'm still curious what they do with text messages to your domestic number when roaming.

Very interesting. I'll have to wait and see when it comes out. I really would like some intl sim to offer some sort of data package.

Slightly OT but how is toggle with data through multiple countries in the EU? (I have been thru the threads here and elsewhere)

Well with T-Mobile's new announcement, why go for this? Just go with TM and have unlimited data around the world and unlimited SMS, and calls at just 20 cents/minute

What do you think now that TMO has announced their new plan
 

What do you all think about this and other international SIMS now that US TMobile has announced their new free (slow) international data and 20 cent phone calls?

My problem has always been having too many SIM cards expire with credit balances. I don't stream much data so 128 speed will do, and at 20 cents a minute (post paid) it doesn't make as much sense to bother with any kind of additional SIMs, at least in the over 100 counties that TMO serves.

If you need incoming local numbers, that is not as clear. In countries covered by Toggle, that would be pretty simple to just use an old phone (or a two SIM phone) for local calls. Or, you could buy an incoming VOIP number in the country and forward it to your regular TMO number. There are lots of posts on that elsewhere in FT.

In any case, KnowRoaming, Toggle, and now TMO are at least giving us alternatives to what has been a terrible situation in the cell phone industry. I know this group is keen on being at the forefront in saving money and getting better service, both domestically and international. I think we are winning the battle. First the landlines, now the cell phones. I think that it won't be long before you can just dial a number anyplace in the world and have it included in your rate, or maybe a few cents a minute.

Pretty sure I may switch to T-Mobile after their recent announcement. Does anyone know if their phones come unlocked by default?

No, but they will unlock it for you IIRC 60-90 days after you have been a customer if you tell them you are travelling overseas and want to use a foreign SIM. I am a long time customer and they always get me the sim unlock code in a few days, if not overnight.