Current best international SIM?
May 22, 2018, 6:59 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
Current best international SIM?
It seems the existing threads are kind of old, so I'm starting a new one. What's the current best international SIM?
I have a FreedomPop SIM that I've had forever (but never used) and don't really know if it works. Plus I'd like LTE and I think it only supports 3G. Is there a good roaming SIM out there these days, particularly for France? I'm mostly interested in data but the ability to call someone would possibly be useful.
Thanks for suggestions!
I have a FreedomPop SIM that I've had forever (but never used) and don't really know if it works. Plus I'd like LTE and I think it only supports 3G. Is there a good roaming SIM out there these days, particularly for France? I'm mostly interested in data but the ability to call someone would possibly be useful.
Thanks for suggestions!
May 24, 2018, 8:36 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 650
Look up above at the prepaid sticky. Look for France, and it should give you some useful information. I have stopped using international sims many years ago. I have a UK sim that I use all over Europe. When I go to the Middle East I usually get a local sim. I have T-mobile but I rather not pay 20cents for a call when I can get incoming free. International sims have been less relevant since the EU has done away with roaming, and so much more expensive than a local sim card.
May 25, 2018, 8:53 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
Very true - the use of international sims has declined significantly. I have a 3 UK sim that I use when I am in Europe. I have my Piranha sim still, but have not used it in a while. And they seem to be having some problems at the moment. So, they are providing replacement sims. As the current sims no longer work.
May 25, 2018, 12:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
Yes, the VOIP stopped working a few months back. My understanding is that, that's the end of that feature.
Ah thanks for the head's up @mrcamp. We have two Piranha sims so will be sure to test them this weekend. I noticed their VOIP offering was not working for some time. Mine gets stuck attempting to register.
May 25, 2018, 7:06 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Since switching to Google's Project Fi plan a few years ago as my primary I've stopped getting foreign SIM cards. The cost is $20 per month unlimited local calling and text in the US and $10/GB of data in the US or while roaming internationally. The service is supported in over 120 countries which includes free text and overseas roaming calls cost $0.19/minute. If connected to Wi-Fi, then the calls go through Wi-Fi calling and calls back to the USA are then free and you don't get charged the roaming rates. It is very convenient to have high speed internet connection in most places around the world as soon as the plane touches down. The only exception is when I'm in India were local call rates and data rates are ridiculously cheap for local SIMs and so I use a local one as soon as I land.
Last edited by ROW2Aisle; May 26, 2018 at 5:34 am Reason: Add comment about SIM in India
May 26, 2018, 11:58 pm
#8
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I got my Tmobile USA and (still) the Toggle SIM.
Tmobile is great for worldwide roaming, and for me, the Toggle SIM works great.
Tmobile is great for worldwide roaming, and for me, the Toggle SIM works great.
May 29, 2018, 6:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
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Posts: 1,665
T mo data sim at $35 a month for 6 gb, international at 2 g and we use it for email and low speed friendly surfing. Project Fi in a Moto X4 for high speed stuff when needed, and that is our travel phone that all our travel buddies have. Have given up the Toggle and Piranha sims. I just today tried my Fi sim in an unlocked iphone 6 and it worked great.