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What is roaming?
The technical definition of roaming is "the ability for a cellular customer to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services, including home data services, when travelling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network."
What are roaming sim cards?
Roaming SIM cards can be defined as mobile phone SIM cards that operate on more than one network within their home country.
Also known as a global roaming SIM, will work with which ever network it can detect, at home or abroad. A traveller can use his own mobile phone (if it's enabled for roaming), in any country that has a roaming agreement with their home network. Once you land in a foreign country, you will receive a text message welcoming you to a local network. However, once they return home their SIM will only work on the network with which they have a contract.
How will you benefit from a roaming SIM card?
A global roaming SIM card offers a host of benefits, which are particularly useful for frequent tavellers.
Global roaming SIM cards have roaming agreements with many local wireless carriers and therefore such cards will work in most countries in the world. The benefit is that the rate is known beforehand and that you will not be surprised when you get your telecoms bill at the end of the month. Different providers offer different rates for outgoing calls. Most offer free incoming calls when you are roaming. This is the most attractive benefit of free roaming sim cards as receiving calls when you are overseas can be very exorbitant.
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For travelers visiting more than one country, a major benefit is that your colleagues, friends and contacts will only need to know one number to get in touch with you as gloabl roaming sim cards give you only one number whereever you are. You are then relieved from the tedious task of getting a local SIM card at each destination.
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How does a Global SIM card work?
A Global SIM card normally works on a 'call-back' process: You make a call and usually pre-fix it with a number given by your provider, for example, +44 or perhaps a short dial code depending on your handset. The phone then places the call but cuts your connection. Seconds later your phone rings, you answer and hear the number you were calling ringing out. The recipient then answers as if you made a call from your usual provider.
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