Cellular Phone Companies Providing Worldwide Services

Cellular Phone Companies Providing Worldwide Services

Generally speaking, most cell phone plans are based on individual networks run by individual companies. For example, cell phones from Rogers Wireless are designed to operate on the Rogers Wireless network. That's not to say that the phone cannot be used elsewhere in the world or with another cell phone provider, however.

Before you consider using your existing cellular phone on a worldwide basis, there are at least two critical elements that must consider: roaming charges and long distance charges.

Roaming and Long Distance

These additional fees may sound like they are almost the same thing and while they may be related, they are actually two separate charges.

Roaming is when you take your cellular phone and have it operate on another provider's network. For example, a phone from Verizon Wireless could be operating on the Bell Mobility or Telus Mobility network when it is in Canada. The airtime used while roaming on the Canadian network is typically not included as part of the Verizon Wireless plan. As such, roaming charges typically apply.

Long distance is when you call an area that is outside of your current location or local area. Some cell phone providers allow for free nationwide calling (check with your provider about specific details of your plan), but if you decide to ring up Hong Kong when you are in New York, you are going to incur some long distance charges.

When it gets really pricey is when roaming and long distance are combined. For example, if you have a phone from AT&T and you are on vacation in Australia, making a local call in Australia using that phone could result in both roaming and long distance charges. It is not out of the ordinary to have one of these calls costs several dollars per minute.

For the most part, GSM-based service providers have roaming agreements with other GSM providers around the world, letting you use your cell phone worldwide. These include Rogers Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, Vodafone and others. Just be aware that there may be some additional fees involved.

Satellite Phones

For true worldwide coverage, you can't do much better than a real satellite phone. While more recent models look much more like conventional mobile phones, they do not operate on a traditional cellular network. Instead, satellite phones connect directly to satellites that are orbiting the Earth. Depending on the provider, users can have reception in even the remotest of areas.

A better-known satellite phone manufacturer and service provider is Globalstar, which can issue U.S. telephone numbers. Other companies, like Inmarsat and Iridium, issue numbers with special country calling codes. In any case, satellite phones are not only expensive to purchase (even old models still sell for over $1,000), but they are very pricey to use. Most rates range between $3 and $14 per minute.

Prepaid Cellular Phone Services

By far the least expensive option for using cell phones in Europe or the rest of the world is to invest in an unlocked phone and then purchase a prepaid SIM card in your country of choice. While in Hong Kong, purchase a Hong Kong SIM card. While in Moscow, purchase a Moscow SIM card and so on.

This allows you to have a local number where you are staying. To overcome the issue of people back home having a tough time getting in contact with you, it is possible to consider a solution like Grand Central. This service provides you with one number that can ring all of your phones; just add the foreign number to your Grand Central account.