I don't think it is possible to be ANYWHERE in HKG and not get a wifi signal, in most areas there are 20-30 signals that show up at any given time. Skype wifi allows you to connect to almost ANY of those signals for pennies a minute. Same in SIN, PVG and a lot of other cities. You simply fire up the wifi, look at any of the signals you are getting, select it, and it will tell you the per minute rate - if you like it just hit connect. And that's not just for phone calls, you are connected to the internet so you can use skype, and any of your data programs like maps, around me, email, etc...

As far as using local sims, that works good for local calls, and from what I understand a lot of folks have a google voice account with their home number forwarded to whatever their intl sim number is. I have not tried it but a lot of folks say it works great.

 

Thanks guys.

Anyone have any pro's/cons for the country specific SIM's?

How long do they last for?
Rechargeable?
Data?

G

 

I've seen the available networks but never bothered to connect since I thought they would be too expensive. Sounds good though, next trip I'll try it.

 

They would be if you don't have skype wifi. Without it, you would have to be a member on a monthly/yearly plan, much like ATT wireless, Verizon wireless, or Sprint wireless in the U.S. The beauty of Skype wireless is that you don't have to be a member of any of those foreign providers, Skype has worked out the agreements with them to allow you access on a per-minute basis, and have the cost deducted from your skype account.

I'm starting to feel like a salesman for Skype wifi.. but I've found it to be a great option, and find not too many folks are aware of it - it doesn't get a lot of publicity because it really only benefits the international travelers, like us...

Cheers

 

With AT&T, if you own the phone for 2 years, they will unlock it for you. So my old iPhone 3Gs is unlocked, can buy local sim cards, no problem. Just haven't been overseas to try it yet. Good luck

 

I too have an AT&T Iphone4. I just tell the wife, kids, friends, etc. to text me if I am overseas (25 cents to receive a text, 50 cents to send). I turn on call forwarding when I am on an overseas trip so I don't get charged for incoming calls that I don't answer. You have to call AT&T to get unique number for your phone to forward to. My phone's voicemail includes a note to send me a text if they don't get an answer. I'm also a Skype advocate.

 

In almost all countries you can buy a local sim for 5-10$. Generally, these sims are good for 6-12 months. Usually after 3 months of non use you will loose the credit of what you have loaded on the sim. Every time you top off with more money, it will extend the credit for a certain amount of time. The amount of time depends on how much money your reload was worth.

Usually after 6 or 12 months with no use, your sim will expire and you will have to buy another one. With some sim cards, depending on the carrier you choose, you can buy reload cards and use them later to top off even if you are not in the country where you bought the sim. Some carriers allow you to roam automatically and some will require you to activate roaming before you leave the country where you bought the sim. A google search will give you all of the info you need for whatever country and all the telco's that are available.

Also, some of the foreign carriers enable you to use data for a certain cost per day or hour. You could then use the internet to use skype or anything else.

I have a few international sims and when I am on a trip my family can text me on my foreign number and I can call them back. With some carriers the cost is as low as 25 cents/min to make calls outside of their country.

If you spend a lot of time in any one country, it could be worth getting a local sim. Otherwise, the other suggestions that have been given work pretty well.

 

AT&T just changed their int'l data plans last month to a much more reasonable level for 3G service:

120 MB Data Global Add-on package for $30/month
300 MB Data Global Add-on package for $60/month
800 MB Data Global Add-on package for $120/month
The overage rate for all packages is $30 for 120MB.

I've been paying $25 a month for 50MB for my iPhone, and haven't gone over. I don't use voice internationally - except Skype of Google Voice. But I use email regularly. Also there is an international text plan - inbound messages at your normal rate (I've got unlimited domestic) and 50 outbound for $10.

 

Good info, robthree. Especially about the international text plan. "I did not know that..."

Thanks

 

I receive text from AT&T FREE in Asia & Europe with a US plan. Outgoing rates vary, but $0.50/text is common. All you have to do is sign up. I Skype & Majic Jack through hotel wifi for voice. I can make, or receive calls in a pinch, but it's cost prohibitive.