Hey everyone! Has anyone had any good experiences purchasing an international SIM card online and using it abroad? I am looking for something I can purchase ahead of time (mainly for data) and use in multiple countries and be able to top up as needed. Specifically one that will work in Africa, Middle East and SE Asia. I currently have Fido Roam but it doesn't work in the countries I need. What I've been doing is buying SIM cards whenever I arrive in a new country but it often… See more

I've had good experiences with Truphone

Try Roam Mobility.

I used vodafone while in Ireland. Cheap and easy to activate

I know that in Asia you can just buy the SIM card right at the airport.

http://www.onesimcard.com/
ONESIMCARD.COM
International SIM Card | Prepaid Roaming SIM from onesimcard

Thanks so much everyone! I'm going to look into the suggestions above

I have used cellularabroad.com in the past for an unblocked GSM phone and country SIMs
CELLULARABROAD.COM
International Cell Phone Rentals and Data Plans - Cellular Abroad

I use KnowRoaming.com
They are a company out of toronto that provides a sticker that attaches to your home SIM card but acts as a second sim. Or you can get another SIM card of theirs.
Most places have unlimited data for 8.99/day or 0.15c/MB. I've used it extensively in Japan, Korea and Europe.
KnowRoaming.com
Reduce Roaming Fees With knowroaming

Oh ok cool! I'll check it out
thanks!

Rogers now has roam like home. It's a max of 10 days of fees per billing month. It's $10 a day up to the max of $100 per billing period. Avoids all the hassle and keeps your contact number the same. You call in each country like it's a local call. Calls from Canada to your number are local for them too.

I have Fido Roam which is the same idea and I got excited about it but unfortunately it doesn't work in the countries I will be travelling to (such as Tanzania and Philippines)

Louise my daughter had her phone unlocked & used a Tanzanian SIM card much cheaper than any roaming packages

Oh really?! Ok thanks Clare that's good to know!

I've used this one for Europe, They have all different countries: http://www.telestial.com/
TELESTIAL.COM
Telestial International Roaming Solutions SIM Cards Phone Packages

I have an unlocked IPhone and buy local SIM cards wherever I go...usually at the airport and usually vodafone is the company I use..cheap

Thanks! Yes, that's what I've done in the past but I've found not all airports have it or they are closed when we arrive on late flights. So hoping to get something set up before landing

Louise

World Sim Cards out of Florida also have a good product.

Oh ok, thanks! I'll check them out

Just get one there they are retarded cheap right at the airport and gives u local number

I know, it's been good in the past when we've arrived at bigger airports but I've found smaller airports don't always have them or they are closed when we arrive in the late evening. So hoping to find something I can get set up before we arrive.

I bought a phone in Bangkok with a card for about $20.

Yea even if it isn't at the airport every stall in the city has a place u can get a card

The data is expensive, I just use the free WIFI at the hotel to send messages or google or wattsapp.. I have borrowed a phone to make a quick local call...the bus drivers get one from their company so if he is friendly...ask! I get the local card too sometimes when I am there..

I usually buy it at the airport when i land. Way cheaper than fido.

Hassle to buy a new sim in each country but is the cheapest for sure. Some places you get away with $5-10 all in for like a week of data and phone use. All the ones online that are Travel Sims are ripoffs and almost the same in the end as Fido will charge if not worse.

Thanks! Ya, I am realizing that's true...now that I've looked into the above options they are not cheap either. I guess I should just spend some time once I arrive and find a local sim! I know in Jordan I was able to get 1gig and a bunch of minutes/text for $15 but it took an hour and there was a bit of a language barrier. But I guess the hassle is way better than paying $100+!

Yeah it's a hassle but to save money it ends up being worth it. Some places are so slow. Some are quick, but it always ends up wasting an hour somehow it seems!