All of us have knowledge about our domestic SIM cards. We are so used to them that when we travel, we often activate the roaming. Though roaming is a good way to keep in touch with your near and dear ones when you are on a vacation or business trip in another country or continent, it also imposes hefty charges on your prepaid or postpaid bills.
You might consider buying yourself a local SIM card in the country you are visiting in order to avoid expensive roaming charges. Yes, it is a good alternative, but it is also very time-consuming and almost a nuisance to buy a local SIM wherever you go if you are a frequent traveler. So is there any solution to this? The answer is yes. A single SIM that works anywhere you go exists, and it is called an International SIM card.
For Whom International SIM Cards are designed?
International SIM cards are not for those who travel once in a long time outside their native country. For a long-term trip, it is better to buy a local SIM card for the country you are traveling to. On the other hand, International SIM cards are for those who are continuously or frequently on the road. These SIM cards are a sensible choice for business travelers and people with wanderlust who dip in and out of countries on short trips several times a year.
International SIM cards can be left dormant whenever it isn’t required, with any remaining credit balance held over until the next international trip. This SIM card also makes sense for those travelers who skip through several countries in a hurry.
Even for people who are on a longer trip, an International SIM card can come in handy. Until you buy a local SIM card, your International SIM card can be used right away when you land in a new country. It is good to have a working phone all the time, as you never know when an emergency situation may arise. It will make your first few hours after landing a lot easier.
How do the International SIM Cards Work?
International SIM cards are different from local SIM cards. Unlike a local SIM card, an international SIM card is programmed to work on multiple networks across different countries around the world.
It is a physical card unlike eSIM cards, so you need to purchase and activate it before heading off to your trip. It is recommended to buy it before at least a week so that you have sufficient time to handle any situations that might arise with activating it.
Like every other third-party SIM card, international SIM cards also won’t work on a locked phone. So, make sure your phone is unlocked before inserting and activating an international SIM card.
Where can you Buy International SIM Cards?
There are many telecom companies that provide international SIM cards. The mobile carrier from which you buy an international SIM card makes bilateral agreements with other mobile carriers across the world so that their customers can use their telecommunication networks wherever they travel to.
Airtel World SIM, Reliance Passport SIM, T-SIM Global SIM Card, and Clay Global SIM Card are four such global SIMs in the Indian market today. They operate in 150 to 200 countries and provide cheap calling rates and data packs. The tariff plans of these SIMs are of course cheaper than the international roaming tariffs of your domestic SIM card.
Benefits of International SIM Cards
There are many benefits of using an international SIM card, but the biggest benefit is cost. You can travel to multiple foreign destinations and keep in touch with your friends and family without worrying much about the exorbitant costs associated with texting, calling, and data consumption in regular roaming plans.
International SIM cards have many plans and packages at different prices. This depends on what you require and what your usage patterns are for talking, texting, and data consumption.
Because International SIM cards are designed for traveling, they typically provide better coverage than local SIM cards or international roaming. Moreover, they keep everything in one language, hence there is no need to fiddle with interfaces in foreign languages like you need to do with local SIM cards.
Are International SIM Cards Rechargeable?
Yes, the International SIM cards can be recharged. You don’t need to replace or buy a new International SIM card every time its plan/package is over. These cards can be easily recharged online with the provider, through an App, or with vouchers. That’s why they are extremely convenient for frequent travelers like business persons and globetrotters.
You can recharge the international SIM card online through your mobile carrier application or a trusted online recharge website.
Are International SIM Cards Safe to Use?
Like local SIM cards, International SIM cards are also secure and have all the required safety features such as location area identity, security PIN, phone number, etc. These cards are safe as they provide you with your own international number with utmost privacy. You can trust them for receiving all the services you have paid for without any hidden or additional charges.
Conclusion
Generally, buying a local SIM card at the arrival destination is the most affordable option for travelers. They provide a local number for making and receiving phone calls and texts, and are usually cheaper than other options if you are a heavy data consumer. But buying them can be a hassle, especially in countries where there’s a language barrier, or you are short on time. In such cases, you’ll definitely want to get connected with minimum effort.
For that purpose, getting an international SIM card is the perfect solution. They are not limited to a specific country or group of nations. They allow you to use your phone all around the planet, of course for a price. But they are still way cheaper than international roaming charges on your local carrier.