Edit: I've also been informed that user "necqui" works or worked at Roam Simple, so I should disclose this information since he did not. However, I do not dispute the validity of his comments.

you're poluted get a grip...i support great Canadian companies - and being Canadian you should as well - if you have a bad experience then fix it - you're telling me that if i had a great experience with Rogers and i promote their service then i'm automatically considered a self promoter? get real -

perhaps you're a competitor just bashing these guys to get a leg up...

andy said:

I have used Roam Simple's service and it was not simple the service didn't work properly and my billing was so screwed up it took forever to get it sorted out and ---edited out--- is an idiot seems they like to get money but not give any service in return

I had a great experience with Roam Simple. I am a Rogers customer in Canada and when I analyzed my savings it was about 59%. Very impressed. Maybe you're the idiot...?

And global prepaid SIM cards have an extra disadvantage -- they don't allow you to direct dial.

There's one exception: Mobal. You get a UK number with which you place direct calls. Unlike others it's paid off your credit card as you make phones.

The big disadvantage is the relatively high per minute rates that apply both out and in. OTOH the convenience is great as is the reliability. Don't underestimate the reliability. Many other so-called global SIMs are plagued with problems in specific countries.

Also, unlike other SIMs the Mobal one does not expire. Mobal sells the SIM separately but if you Google around you may be able to find it even cheaper (I did a couple of years ago.)

P.S. If you only want a US SIM look into T-Mobile's US prepaid offerings. They're much cheaper and more convenient.

Basically, you can now get global SIM cards that let you pay for your call
credit in advance - prepaid. Their advertised call rates are also quite low and offer free incoming calls in many countries. However, there are a number of disadvantages of a prepaid service. And global prepaid SIM cards have an extra disadvantage -- they don't allow you to direct
dial.

This is because, to be able to give you cheaper call rates in certain
countries, they had to structure the way you dial differently and introduce
an extra step that makes it quite complicated.

Each time you wish to call someone, you have to call a third party number
first, then follow the prompts to dial the actual number you want, and then
hang up! You then wait for a call back from this third party, which connects
you to the number you want. Its called a callback service...its a dirty alternative to international roaming.

Yes, you may get slightly cheaper calls, but it can be at the expense of actually being able to make and receive clear and reliable calls. Which should be the most important function of your service.

On the other hand, the Roam Simple World service is post-paid, and works in the same way as a domestic cell phone service does without the contracts and monthly fees. Roam Simple services bill you only for the calls you make and directly to your credit card. It's simple and convenient.

The advantages of using the Roam Simple World servicein terms of call quality, it's much better than the prepaid style service, as you're dialling direct to the number you want to call, with no third party system in the middle.

If ease of use and call quality are priorities for you, the Roam Simple World service is your best option.

Has anyone tried to use a sim card for the USA purchased from Toronto company http://www.roamsimple.com

They use the AT&T Cingular network which seems to have the best overall coverage, (at least where I will be traveling)

This is a POST PAY service where they bill your CC for the use and you pay by the minute, in and out.

Stu