I use an unlocked dual sim global GSM phone (China model) for my trips.  This was not an expensive phone and I picked it up on Ebay after searching and researching for a while.

Some cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, or microchip that stores subscriber data. The SIM card is issued by a carrier and provides cell service by activating any phone into which it is inserted.  A locked phone, however, will only recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier, for example AT&T. If the cell phone is unlocked, it will recognize a SIM card from any carrier. The “lock” is a software setting that keeps the cell phone “loyal” to one carrier.

In the past I’ve always had an unlocked tri-band (works in some countries) or quad-band phone (works in most countries), but the dual sim possibility now with an inexpensive option on Ebay  is just too good to pass up.  It’s a great option for anyone who wants to combine their work and personal phone and it’s perfect for  international travelers who want a local number while retaining their U.S. number.

I’ll be using OneSimCard International Card which will allow me free roaming in all the places I travel, as well free incoming calls and text messaging.  If you don’t want your callers to incur an international call charge, then there is a toll free optional number add on you can give friends and family to call you for free, you pay per minute this way.    I’ve used a similar card previously and it worked great.  The benefit of using this OneSimCard is that I’m not tied into a US carrier that charges an arm and a leg for airtime!    An example of this is AT&T global roaming charge is $3.49 per minute incoming and outgoing calls, while OneSimCard maintains a cool free incoming text, free incoming calls and .59 a minute to make calls.

The bonus of using the dual sim phone with this OneSimCard is that I can have a consistent US phone number for people to call me in every place I travel.   I can also purchase airtime or internet time in any country I go and pop right into the phone while retaining my US phone number.

The new phone allows for the switching back and forth between sims, also has wifi and bluetooth.

Hopefully this will help people who are about to travel internationally, and my techie post isn’t too much info!  It seems each time I travel, I end up giving my phone to someone in the country I’m in, so I have to purchase a new one nearly every trip.  I don’t know why I do this, I guess I see a person that I know not be able to have good communication and my heart melts.  I think my new dual-sim phone is a keeper though!