Yes, it’s hard to give up your phone just because you are traveling abroad. If you are from anywhere but the US chances are it will be easy for you to use your phone from country to country, but check on the calling rates and look into purchasing local sim cards to save money.

If you are holding a US phone then please be advised that many of the US phones are on a CDMA technology and the rest of the world is mainly on a GSM technology.  This means that you may not be able to use your phone overseas.  BUT, we have some great options and information for you. 

• Sim cards
• Calling via the Internet
• Rent a phone for overseas use
• Phone Cards

Sim cards Using your current US cell phone.
If your current US phone is with Cingular or T-Mobile then most likely you have the right technology to use your current US phone overseas.  Before you leave you may want to call Cingular and T-Mobile as their phones are usually locked to 'outside' sim cards.  However, companies are now legally required to unlock the phones. 

Sim Card info
So now that you can use your phone overseas you still need a sim card. You can use your current home sim card, but then you are probably paying outrageous rates for international calls. If you want local rates, then you need to pick up a sim card in country and set up a plan. We have had great luck with 'pay as you go' plans.  However, another fantastic option that you can set up BEFORE you leave is Ekit.  Ekit makes it easy to travel with an international phone and will provide you with both a handset (if needed) and sim cards that work in the areas you are traveling to.  (They also have phone cards.)

Buy a pay as you go international cell phone or SIM card...
	Save up to 70% on international roaming rates
	Family and friends can call you toll free
	100% money back guarantee
	Next day delivery to the US, Australia and the UK

Calling via the Internet  
There are two options for calling via the Internet:  Vonage Talk program and Skype.


Vonage Product Great for Travel: It's a phone that fits on your keychain! The Vonage V-Phone turns any PC or laptop into a fully functional Vonage telephone. The Vonage V-Phone comes with Vonage Talk software pre-loaded – there's no need to install it on your PC and no need to restart your computer. Simply insert the Vonage V-Phone into any available USB port, plug the earpiece microphone into the side of the Vonage V-Phone and you're ready to make and receive calls! Remove the drive when you're done and the phone and all your important contact information goes with you.

You can take it with you anywhere in the world and call your friends and family back home, or have them call you, as a local call. For example, let's say you live in New York City and travel to Japan. Vonage Talk carries your New York City area code with you so when you call your family or your neighbor, or they call you, it's a local call! It's all included in a low monthly rate.

The only major drawback: no one can cantact you and you can't use it unless you are connected to a computer.


Skype is free to use if you are calling someone who has a Skype account. It works similar to IM. Although, you need a special headset to speak to someone.  If you want to call someone who does not have a Skype account, you can set up a payment account for as little as $10 and make all the calls you need. You just top up as you go.  It's very cheap for calling.  If you are traveling with your own computer this is a good option.  Find Wifi Hotspots. However, it's harder if you are relying on Internet Cafes as Skype has software that needs to be downloaded.

Rent a phone for overseas use

Cellular info by country – coverage and service

Ekit makes it easy to travel with an international phone and will provide you with both a handset (if needed) and sim cards that work in the areas you are traveling to.  They also have phone cards. Buy a pay as you go international cell phone or SIM card...
	Save up to 70% on international roaming rates
	Family and friends can call you toll free
	100% money back guarantee
	Next day delivery to the US, Australia and the UK

Phone Cards

The Ekit global phonecard with more...
	Save up to 70% on international calls
	Make calls from 151 countries to anywhere in the world
	Recharge anywhere, anytime - over the phone or web
	Family and friends can leave you messages for free no matter where you are