International Data SIM Card, Low 3G Roaming Rates in Europe

International cell phone roaming rates in the EU are notoriously expensive. As of July 2011, EU regulators are still talking about a policy – yet to be adopted – that won't begin to lower voice and data roaming rates until 2014!

06/07/2011 European Commission Press Release:

"The directly binding Regulation proposed would for the first time introduce structural measures to boost competition by allowing customers from 1 July 2014, if they so wish, to sign up for a cheaper mobile roaming contract…

'It would also immediately bring down prices for data roaming, where operators currently enjoy outrageous profit margins.'" [emphasis ours]

Source: Digital Agenda: Commission proposes more competition, more choice and lower prices for mobile phone users abroad

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Can You Roam Europe with a Single Country SIM?

While a local prepaid SIM for a single country usually offers the best calling rates while in that country, the voice and data rates can soar when you travel across a border to a second country. Also, with country-specific SIM cards sometimes internet data service is only available to monthly (not prepaid) customers.

How to Add SIM Credit while Roaming?

There's also the problem of adding more credit to cover the higher roaming rates when you travel outside the country where you bought the SIM. Usually the recharge vouchers for an Italian cell phone company aren't sold in Spain, for example.

How Much Data Does a Cell Phone Use on the Internet?

In order to evaluate mobile roaming data prices it's helpful to know, "How many megabytes of data is used by a cell phone online to surf the web or check email?"

C NET offers a few examples of mobile phone internet data usage:

A standard web page is likely to download between 200-500 kilobits (Kb) of data
Text-only emails are about 10Kb
Watching a YouTube clip is about 1MB (megabyte) for every two minutes of video you watch
Downloading a song from iTunes is roughly 5MB, an album is likely to be more than 50MB

CNET: How much mobile data do you need? By Joseph Hanlon on August 18, 2009

Answer to Europe's High Data Roaming Rates

Shop MiFi Devices and Data SIM Cards

The Talk Abroad International Data SIM card and portable MiFi wireless hotspot provide affordable, portable internet access all across Europe.

Now – Get $10 off your Europe data SIM card – use CHQ10 code when buying a phone, SIM or MiFi internet data device at this retailer

See All Talk Abroad International SIM Voice & Data Rates

Talk Abroad™ International SIM Card Rates

Travel 180 Countries with a US and UK Phone Number

The Talk Abroad™ prepaid SIM from National Geographic Society offers international roaming in over 180 countries giving travelers the two phone numbers – a UK number and a US phone number – wherever they go.

Low International Cell Phone Calling Rates

Below are the cell phone calling rates in Europe and other "Zone 1" destinations:

Only 25 cents a minute to receive a call from the US
Incoming calls to the SIM's UK number are FREE to receive
Outgoing call to the United States or Canada only 90c and minute, or $1.15/min to a cell phone (have people call you back, and it's only 25 cents!)
SMS text messages* are $0.60 to send and free to receive
SIM is preloaded with $29 calling/data credit

Low International Roaming 3G Data Rates in Europe and Beyond

With the Talk Abroad SIM you can send email, browse the internet and view photos and videos on your unlocked 3G-equipped cell phone in Europe and dozens of other destinations abroad. Phone data use is billed in 100kb increments.

Updated June 6, 2012 – New lower data rates in Europe – only $1.00 per MB most countries!

See All Talk Abroad International SIM Voice & Data Rates below.

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How It Works

The Talk Abroad service works in over 180 countries with low Zone 1 rates in well-traveled international destinations like Europe, Australia, Israel, Costa Rica, South Africa and more.

With the Talk Abroad SIM, after dialing an outgoing call the phone will ring, answer as though receiving an incoming call and you’ll hear your call being connected on the other end. This happens in a matter of seconds and is how the service is able to offer such low rates on so many cellular networks worldwide.

How Much Data Use Does the Talk Abroad $29 Credit Provide?

The Talk Abroad SIM card includes $29 credit for data and voice use and additional credit is sold in $29 increments. Below are examples of Talk Abroad's $29 worth of internet use in Europe:

15 to 30MB of credit
500-1000 emails or
50-150 emails with a small attachment or
1-3 hours of web surfing or
50-150 medium resolution photos or
15 minutes of standard-quality streaming video
2.5Mbps maximum downspeed (On 3G/HSDPA connection)
0.9Mbps maximum upspeed (On 3G/HSDPA connection)
3G/HSDPA available in most major towns and cities

==>> Find Prices and Rate for the National Geographic Talk Abroad SIM <<==

Each Talk Abroad Includes:

US and UK Phone Numbers
$29 in call/data credit
One-year service life from initial activation or addition of credit
Comprehensive User Guide
Handy wallet-size reference guide
Free 24/7 US-based customer service

Mobile Data SIM Set Up Guide (Included with Every SIM)

How to Set Up Your Mobile Phone for International Data Service

Setting up your phone for data

Most phones can be configured for data use by changing the “APN” to “mobiledata” – here are the menu navigation steps for common phone models:

iPhone	Motorola Phones
1. Navigate to: ‘Settings > General > Network > EDGE’.	1. Navigate to 'Menu > Web Access > Web > Sessions.’
2. Select ‘Profile 4’.	2. Select ‘New Entry’.
3. Enter the APN as ‘mobiledata’.	3. Enter a homepage website, e.g. ‘http://www.communicationhq.com/’
4. Leave the username and password entries blank	4. Select the ‘APN’ and enter ‘mobiledata’.
5. Launch your browser.	5. Launch your browser
Nokia Phones	Samsung Phones
1. Navigate to: 'Menu > Settings > Configuration’.	1. Navigate to ‘Menu > Settings > Browser> Settings> Profile Settings’.
2. Select ‘Personal Configuration Settings’.	2. Select an unused profile slot.
3. Choose ‘New Access Point’.	3. Enter a profile name, e.g. ‘Data’.
4. Select ‘Data Bearer’ and choose ‘Packet Data’.	4. Enter a valid homepage, e.g. ‘www.communicationhq.com’.
5. Select ‘Packet Data Access Point’.	5. Set the bearer to ‘GPRS’.
6. Enter ‘mobiledata’ in the APN field.	6. Enter ‘mobiledata’ in the APN field.
7. Launch your browser	7. In options select ‘Save’.
	8. In the Profile settings, select ‘Save’.
	9. Launch your browser

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