Traveling Abroad? Why an International SIM Card is a Must-Have!

An International SIM card helps you stay connected with your loved ones even abroad. Although Skype, WhatsApp, Talk Home App, and other internet-based applications have made it much easier to communicate with friends and family worldwide. Yet there are times when these internet-based applications can’t help.

This is when you need an international SIM card with affordable SIM-only deals.

Looking for the best international sim card in the UK?

This blog will guide you on international calling, the best plans, and your possible options when traveling to different countries. Don’t miss the end since it covers the pros and cons of international SIM cards.

What’s the Cost of International Calls from the UK

Cost is the most important consideration when calling your friends and family members from abroad. Calling to China costs somewhere around £3. If you’ve friends in India, calling them might cost around £1.50/min.

The point is that the cost of international calls varies depending on your destination, and there isn’t a single rule that fits all. One of the ways to make these calls is to subscribe to an international plan. These plans include calling minutes to almost all the destinations so you may stay connected on the go.

International SIMs vs. International Calling Add-ons

What’s the Difference and What’s Better?

An International SIM card allows you to make calls even if you aren’t in your country. This usually works with the help of a roaming service given by your service provider.

International calling add-ons are additional added minutes for international calling. Usually, these added minutes and texts could be purchased from your network provider’s website.

The international calling add-on cuts the cost for overseas calling, or you may get inclusive minutes for calling overseas numbers.

International calling add-ons will cost you around £3-15 per month.  Though the add-ons are a great way to reduce calling costs, they aren’t your only option. Networks like Talk Home Mobile have plans, including international calling minutes.

Usually, these minutes are sufficient for a month unless you make international calls too often.

Interesting Read: App Vs. Sim Vs. Calling Cards – What’s the Best Option for Cheap International Calls?

International SIMs: What do you get?

International SIM from major network operators like Labara, Talk Home mobile, and now mobile usually operate on a rolling contract basis, meaning you can cancel your contract on 30 days’ notice.

Not just international calls, these SIMs are also inclusive of UK mobile and landline minutes. However, calls to premium rate numbers in the UK and overseas aren’t included in these international calling plans.

That is a small price you will have to make for Low-cost international calls.

You have got the following option for international SIMs:

• SIM cards and Plans that include international calls to one destination.
• SIM cards and plans which allow you to make calls to a specific region. Asia, Europe, and North America, for example.
• SIM cards that are inclusive of calling minutes to multiple locations worldwide. This type of SIM card tends to be more expensive.
• Student-friendly SIM cards that include plans designed to serve the needs of young people.

The perfect SIM for you depends on your needs and calling habits. After carefully considering the abovementioned factors, you may decide on your best option for an international SIM card.

International Calling Add-ons

International calling add-ons are additional services that you can add to your existing phone plan. These services are designed to help reduce the cost of making international calls. The add-ons typically include a set number of minutes or a discounted rate for calls to specific countries. The cost of the add-ons varies depending on your service provider and the specific add-on you choose.

International calling add-ons offer several benefits, including:

• The primary benefit of international calling add-ons is the cost savings. You can save money on your international calls by adding an international calling add-on to your existing phone plan.
• International calling add-ons are easy to add to your existing phone plan. You can do it online or by contacting your service provider’s customer service department.
• With different types of international calling add-ons available, you can choose the one that best fits your calling needs.
• Knowing you have an international calling add-on can give you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about the cost of international calls when connecting with someone from another country. Remember to dial the correct country code for the country you are looking to call, like Armenia’s dial code is 374 and the code for Poland is 48.

International Calling on the Internet -VOIP Pros

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to make phone calls over the Internet instead of using a traditional phone line. VoIP converts your voice into digital data transmitted over the internet. This means you can make calls to anyone, anywhere in the world, with an internet connection.

Making international calls using VoIP apps can be significantly cheaper than traditional phone calls. VoIP calls are transmitted over the Internet, which is much cheaper than a conventional phone line. With VoIP, you can make unlimited calls to other VoIP users for free, and international calls to non-VoIP numbers are often much cheaper than traditional phone calls.

With VoIP, you can enjoy high-quality calls with clear sound quality. The technology has come a long way, and most VoIP providers offer high-definition (HD) voice calls that are crystal clear. You can converse with someone from another country without typical communication issues like dropped calls, echoes, or background noise.

VoIP is very flexible and adaptable to your needs. You can make calls from anywhere worldwide if you have an internet connection. You can use VoIP to make international calls from your home or office. You can also use VoIP on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

VoIP offers many extra features that traditional phone lines do not. These features include call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and conference calls. You can also use VoIP to send and receive text messages and make video calls.

Using VoIP to make international calls is very easy. You do not need any special equipment or technical knowledge to use VoIP. You only need an internet connection and a device to make calls, such as a computer or smartphone.

International Calling on the Internet -VOIP Cons

One of the most significant disadvantages of using VoIP for international calls is that it depends on a stable and robust internet connection. If your internet connection is weak or unstable, your call quality may suffer, and you may experience dropped calls, echoing, or delays in the conversation. This can be frustrating, especially when conversing meaningfully with someone in another country.

While the call quality with VoIP can be excellent, it can also vary depending on the internet connection and the quality of your equipment. If you have a poor-quality microphone or speaker, it can affect the sound quality of your call.

Using VoIP for international calls can raise security concerns. Since VoIP calls are transmitted over the internet, they can be vulnerable to interception and eavesdropping. This means that your conversations may not be entirely private or secure. However, most VoIP providers offer encryption to protect your calls, and you can also take extra steps like using a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your calls.

While VoIP technology has come a long way, it may still not be as reliable as traditional phone lines. Power outages, internet outages, and other technical issues can interrupt your VoIP calls and make them impossible to complete. Additionally, some VoIP providers may offer a different level of customer support than traditional phone companies, making it challenging to resolve technical issues quickly.

Calling Overseas: Should I Use My Landline or Mobile?

This depends on your calling destination and your landline or mobile service provider. Using a landline for international calls is cheaper if you make the calls at a standard rate.

For example, calling the United States from a landline at a standard rate cost you around 46p per minute. The mobile calling charge for the same destination is £1.50 per minute.

It is highly recommended that you look at your network providers’ calling rates for international calls. Also, give due consideration to your frequency of international calls. When you have an answer to both these questions, choose a plan that meets your need to make cheap international calls from your mobile device.

Bottom Line

An International SIM card is an excellent utility for making affordable international calls. In today’s world, an international SIM card is essential for frequent travelers. An international SIM card helps you avoid roaming charges so you can call at local rates.

The plans for international SIM cards include minutes and texts to international destinations.

It’s a convenient and cost-effective solution that allows you to stay connected with your loved ones, colleagues, and friends, no matter where you are.

With a wide range of options available in the market, it’s essential to compare the prices and features of different international SIM cards to find the one that best suits your needs.