Free International Phone And SIM Guide
Download our FREE International Cell Phone and SIM Card Guide
How do I Use the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ Global SIM Card?
These question and all operational details are also covered in the User Guide that comes with the NatGeo SIM
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First, after purchase and before use it is necessary that you register your NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ SIM card with the service provider. Activation service is available toll free 24 hours a day from any country.
How Do I Make an Outgoing Call?
(This question and all operational details are also covered in the included User Guide)
To make an outgoing call, first dial 00 to gain an international line, and then enter the country code of the country you are calling, then the remainder of the phone number.
For example, the country code for the U.S. is 1. Therefore, to dial a U.S. phone number you would dial, 00 (or “+”), then 1-area code and seven digit phone number (+/00 1 310-555-1212 for example).
The “+” symbol often signifies the international calling prefix of “00”. In many phones simply press and hold the “0” key to obtain the “+” symbol prior to making an outgoing international call. With the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ International SIM Card all calls will require the full international dialing procedure, even calls within the U.K. or within the same country.
If pushing and holding “0” does not bring up the “00“ or “+” shortcut, simply enter “00” and the country code of the phone number you are dialing.
Again if you are calling the United States, dial “00” (to register an international call) then 1 (1 is the country code for the U.S.), then area code and phone number.
If you are in the U.K. and are dialing a U.K. number it is also necessary to dial “00” (or “+”) 44 (44 is the country code for the U.K.) and the rest of the phone number.
The country code is always required, even when making a call within the same country.
How Do I Call Customer Service, Check Balance, Add Credit?
(This question and all operational details are also covered in the User Guide included with SIM card)
Dial 101 from the handset anytime to reach NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ customer service. This is always a free call from the handset from any country and will connect you with the customer service center located near Seattle, WA.
Is This A Callback Service?
(This question and all operational details are also covered in the included User Guide)
In order to offer prepaid roaming service in over 160 countries, the phone will dial out, and then ring the handset back with an incoming call.
When an outgoing call is placed the service will check the available balance and after a few seconds (sometimes a few minutes) the phone will ring. Answer the phone as if answering a normal incoming call to connect the outgoing call.
Between dialing the outgoing call and the ringing of the phone as the call is connected, messages may appear on the phone display including, “call failed”, “please wait”, “number has been modified” or “not available”. This is normal.
Why do these messages appear? Because most unlocked GSM phones are not programmed to function with a SIM that operates in 160+ countries. Due to the unique worldwide service this SIM provides various GSM handsets will display pre-programmed messages during the SIMs outgoing call procedure.
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How Do I Dial Customer Service from My GSM Phone with NG SIM in it?
(This question and all operational details are also covered in the included User Guide)
- This question and all operation details are covered in the included User Guide Dial
Is it Cheaper to Use a Country Specific SIM Card?
If you are traveling to only one country, and wish to have a local (to that country) phone number it may make sense to obtain a SIM from a local GSM carrier for that country.
The things to consider are whether you will cross the border at all, at which time your country-specific SIM may not function at all.
Another consideration is when is the next time you will travel abroad?
For How Long Does the SIM Service Valid and Active?
The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ International SIM phone number, service and remaining call credit is valid for one year (12 months) from the last time credit is added.
Can I keep My U.S. Phone Number?
Yes, if your home or cell phone service provider allows calls to be forwarded to another US phone number you can forward them to the US phone number of the NatGeo world SIM. Cell phone or VoIP plan allotted minutes may and other forwarding charged may apply. Ask your carrier or service provider for their call forwarding rates and details.
A question to ask yourself is in determining whether to forward your U.S. phone number is if you want to receive all your normal cell phone calls when paying roaming rates when out of the country and in a different time zone.
Features:
- $29 Initial Call Credit equals about 30 minutes talk time in 70+countries
- 24/7 Free Customer Service from call center located in the United States
- International Data Service for email and internet access abroad, 3G data speeds in many destinations
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Your voice mail is already activated. You can access your voice mail system
from your handset. (It's the cost of a call to the UK.) From your handset, you
dial a 3 digit number as per our instructions and
follow the prompts to listen to messages. You will receive a text message
alerting you of any new voicemails.
SMS:
You can send and receive SMS text messages from your Talk Abroad® international
cell phone. However, we nor any carrier be responsible
nor guarantee that you will always be able to send and receive SMS messages in
all circumstances and in all countries. SMS text messages are free to receive
and are $0.60 to send, regardless of the country.
Data Services:
Data services are now available for all Talk Abroad service users. Our rates
are listed per megabyte, but we bill your prepaid credit for each 100kb – so if
you only use 100KB of data, you will only be billed 1/10 of the per megabyte
rate listed in the table below.
As an example, if you are traveling to Germany, the rate is $1.04 per MB –
so if you use only 100kb, you will be billed roughly $0.10. One recharge ($29)
will get you around 28MB of data in Germany.
To set up data, all you need to do is set your APN to "mobiledata"
- this can be done in your phone's connection settings. You can set this up on
your phone using our Data Service Guide.
Due to the way they are manufactured, RIM Blackberry model handsets are not
compatible with our data services.
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ALL THE TOPICS BELOW WILL ALSO BE COVERED BY MATERIAL SENT WITH YOUR ORDER!
Activating Your Service:
Simply make a call in order to activate your Talk Abroad™ International SIM card. Your service is valid for 12 months from the day of activation. Recharging your SIM card (adding talk time), extends the validity for
another 12 months from the day you add the credit.
Please note that while the service does work in North America (in areas with GSM coverage), the service is intended for use overseas and therefore, placing a call from your handset in North America is expensive.
Your Phone Number:
You will have U.K. and U.S. phone numbers, regardless of where you are
traveling. Your phone numbers are emailed to you the same day you place an order, and will be clearly marked on you invoice.
Checking Your Credit:
You may check your credit at any time by dialing 187 on your handset. This is a free service. You will receive a text message with your current credit. You will also receive an SMS text message after each call notifying you of your current credit.
Adding Talk Time to Your SIM Card:
You can add talk time at any time – together with your purchase as well as prior to and during your trip. You can add $29 to your account at any time, instantly, by dialing a simple 3-digit number. Previous call credit will
accumulate with your new call credit.
Making and Receiving Calls:
When you make a call, charges begin only when the other party answers the call or if the call goes to voicemail. Outgoing and incoming call charges, where applicable, are based on 60-second intervals.
For cell phone rentals and individual country SIM cards, visit Cellular Abroad
