Three Things to Confirm: Purchasing a Global Travel SIM Card

High international roaming charges can take a toll on your budget while travelling abroad, if you are not backed with the services of global SIM cards enabled with cheap international roaming. Most global travelers learn this the hard way. Even if you are using your country's carrier network in a foreign country for a few text messages, and receiving or making limited voice calls, you could end up paying a massive bill. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire a country specific travel SIM card, say, for example, a US SIM Card, or a UK SIM Card, or a Thailand SIM Card, before going on a foreign tour. Whether you are going for a family vacation or on work, you must not forget to include a cheap international roaming plan in your preparations to prevent huge mobile bills when you return.

You can easily get travel SIM cards from wireless telecom companies offering services like country specific SIM cards, international mobile phone rentals, Data SIM cards, and global blackberry services. There is a specific solution to suit the needs of each traveler. Whether you want a global SIM card with a free/cheap international roaming plan for making and receiving calls and text messages, or a global data card for accessing uninterrupted Internet connection while roaming abroad or an international blackberry plan, international wireless telecom companies have it all. There are a number of companies offering these services, but you must not forget to first check the exact details.

Postpaid and prepaid services
Some telecom companies provide only prepaid services with their travel SIM cards. Those travelling abroad for a limited period usually require only prepaid services, but those travelling for longer durations, and students going abroad for studies, need postpaid services with their travel SIM cards. So check which type of service is being offered with your card.

24X7 Customer support
Most reputed telecom companies offer 24X7 global customer support services so that users can resolve their technical queries and other problems that may arise while using their SIM cards in a foreign country.

Country specific SIM card
International telecom companies also offer country specific SIM cards. For example, if you are travelling to Thailand, you need a Thailand SIM Card that would give you network coverage in the country along with free/cheap international roaming. With this kind of roaming plan, you will be able to receive incoming calls and text messages throughout the country, at free or minimal cost. Besides this, you will be able to use your Thailand SIM Card, (to continue with the same example,) for making local calls at local call rates.

Travel SIM cards are thus a good idea as you could save around 80% of the expenses that you might have incurred from the high international roaming charges of your local network provider.