Newsletter Signup
Where current and emerging technology trends meet.
TecTrendsInformation Sources, Inc.
  | About TecTrends | Email Signup | Contact Us
 Live Search:
Live Search | Articles | Companies | TecTerms | Products
  Loading TecTrends Live Search - please wait... 
View Noteworthy Articles      PRNewswire
 
Article

Title: Making Inexpensive International Calls

Author: Strom, David Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: Baseline, n85 p53(1) Publication Date: Jun 2008
URL of Publication: http://www.baselinemag.com

International roaming is expensive, but fortunately there are a number of affordable alternatives. Calling cards can be convenient, though you need to be careful. Some hotels charge nearly as much per minute as cell providers, and some calling cards won't work with some pay phones. The latter issue can be resolved with a dual-tone multifrequency tone generator or a Java applet. Skype is another way to go, though it requires a computer and a headset. Additional options require at least a tri-band phone on either AT&T/Cingular's or T-Mobile's networks. Most of the world's cellphones operate on one of four GSM networks. A phone that covers at least three of those should be viable. Replacing a phone's SIM card with one specific to the destination country brings the advantages of cheap local calls and not drawing down minutes on an American account. An alternative to carrying one SIM card per country is to buy one from Telestial.com, Maxroam.com, or Onesimcard.com. These SIM cards work around the globe, are affordable and easy to replenish, and require no contract. However, most phones are locked in to a particular carrier, so in the absence of unlocking through the carrier, an unlocking provider or software will be required. Of course, you could also (and may have to) buy a non-locked phone.

Companies:
AT&T Mobility LLC Cingular Wireless
Cubic Telecom Ltd Long Distance POST LLC
Skype Technologies SA T-Mobile USA Inc
Telestial Inc

Products:
MAXroam OneSIMcard
Skype

TecTerms:


[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2004-2008 Information Sources Inc.
 


Home About TecTrends About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions

TecTrends | P.O. Box 8120 | Berkeley CA 94707 | (510) 525-6220 | Email: tectrends@tectrends.com
© 2006 INFORMATION SOURCES INC | All rights reserved.