Travel tech: data roaming in 50 countries for 81c/MB
The walls around global roaming costs continue to tumble down, with a new data roaming service available to travellers offering data at 81c/MB in more than 50 countries.
The only catch? The SIM cards can only be delivered to European addresses at present, so it'll only be suitable for Australian travellers starting their trip in Europe.
The service, called Abroadband, provides data-only SIM cards, providing internet access for phones, 3G modems and iPads/tablets.
Abroadband's rates of €0.59 per MB (A$0.81) are 92% cheaper than Vodafone's normal global roaming rates, 95% cheaper than Telstra's, and 96% cheaper than Optus'.
A standard size SIM card, or micro SIM for iPhone 4 and iPads, costs €9.90 (A$13.60) to buy.
For travellers who don't yet have a 3G laptop modem, Abroadband sells a SIM card and modem combo for €49.90 (A$68.53).
Shipping via regular mail costs €9.90 (A$13.60) to any destination in Europe, or via 48 hour DHL express courier it's €19.90 (A$27.33).
The service provides cheap data roaming in 55 countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, USA.
While it's still expensive compared to buying local SIM cards, which typically provide data for around 3-5c/MB, it's a great option for travellers already shelling out $10-$20 per MB for data roaming through their Australian telco, and who want the convenience of one SIM card that they can use across many different countries without having to change phone settings in each country.
Abroadband is a postpaid service, so after you buy the SIM card, you will receive bills for the amount owing. There's a webpage where you can monitor your spend, and Abroadband will also contact you when you hit €60 (A$82) in spending.
The ABroadband service is provided by the A1 Telekom Austria, an Austrian mobile network with 5.1 million subscribers.
How it compares to other global roaming servicesFor people who go to the UK and USA, Tru SIM is still a much better offer , at 17c and 35c/MB respectively (with the advantage that you can also make and receive cheap calls on the SIM).
At T Phone Card Moldova - News
If you're after a SIM card that does cheap phone calls and relatively cheap data across Europe, the MaxRoam SIM is not much more expensive, at €0.70/MB (A$0.96) for data. Dan is our deputy editor: a tech enthusiast who frequently qualifies for enhanced
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Moldova: Back in the USSR « Big World – Small World
May 9-12
I first learned about Moldova from Max, a taxi driver I had in Chicago. I had some vague idea of where it was, and Max explained how it was landlocked and sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. The country is poor and job opportunities are few and far between hence his desire to come to the US. Too bad I didn’t have Max’s contact information with me.
I had not really thought about going to Moldova until just a few days earlier when I looked at a map. Annexed from Romania in 1940, it is one of the 15 former republics of the USSR. Today, it is one of if not the poorest country in Europe. I was so close – why not explore. I only had time for Chisinau (pronounced ki-sheh-now), the capital, and “environs”.
In an odd sort of way, I craved a dose of the former soviet era to make my around the world trip complete. Somewhere with a Cyrillic alphabet, the occasional (or frequent) indifference to customer service, a place where only insiders really know what is going on, and friendly people – once you break through a few layers of ice.
Crossing the border from Romania into Moldova, you immediately know you are in a different place. The roads are wide and beautifully lined with trees – it is all quite bucolic. Of course, the road quality is abysmal, and the preponderance of bumps provide a ride akin to bumper cars. It looks poor as the country homes are small and the town homes aren’t much bigger. Everything is run down and tired – mediocre shape at best – very different than the Romanian countryside where they are proud of their homes.
Chisinau struck me as the best of the USSR – wide avenues, tons of trees, safe – although the stereotypical Soviet characteristics were ever-present. Most of the buildings are concrete or those large, ugly apartment blocks. The avenues are wide with wide areas for pedestrians – all good things although the usual tripping hazards are scattered about liberally. An infinite number of minivans speed about – the favorite mode of public transportation. Each has a number on it with the destinations written on the front in small letters. Apparently, the locals all know where to pick these things up (the stops are in different places) and what route they take but for the regular visitor, it is a great mystery. One advantage of traveling in a poorer country is you can afford to eat at some great restaurants. Surprisingly, there were many great restaurants with excellent food and excellent service.
At T Phone Card Moldova - Bookshelf
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