View Full Version : Sim card in the Gulf
Any advice on what Pay asU go Sim card is best for using in the Arabian Gulf and Oman. I am wondering whther it is possible and better to buy a local card or to buy one of the internation cards before leaving the UK. I am in the gulf for 3 weeks visiting Oman to Bahain and everthing in between, using the card locally and to the UK.
hellsbrink
30th Jan 2011, 15:03
This is where the fun starts.
One "international" sim, Lycamobile can be cheap for international calls but the roaming prices, if you buy the card in the UK, are a good cure for constipation. That is one thing you must seriously look at if activating a card like Lyca in the UK.
A "local" sim card? that may also be an issue due to roaming charges from country to country. You could end up spending a hell of a lot more by buying a card for a network in Oman and using it in Bahrain.
I would look at the other "international" sims, and seriously check out the prices. Some others might have more info than me. A quick look points to the "One" sim card being a possibility 0.75USD per minute for a call to the UK and 0.15USD pm to receive any call. There must be others, but other people will have to help you there.
green granite
30th Jan 2011, 16:04
There are people who advocate buying a local sim for each country and changing it over as required.
hellsbrink
30th Jan 2011, 16:59
And the cost of each card is something you also have to take into consideration, GG, as visiting 4 countries could prove expensive with that method, especially with unused credit on a sim
You are all identifying the issues that I thought would be a problem. I have noticed one card that is free on inbound calls in some countries and reasonable for outbound calls.
I did wonder someone had found a magic sim card that covered all the bases as I clearly can't buy 4 cards. It might be that I will have to bite the bullet and keep O2 :ugh:
Mike-Bracknell
30th Jan 2011, 17:56
You are all identifying the issues that I thought would be a problem. I have noticed one card that is free on inbound calls in some countries and reasonable for outbound calls.
I did wonder someone had found a magic sim card that covered all the bases as I clearly can't buy 4 cards. It might be that I will have to bite the bullet and keep O2 :ugh:
It's not 'clearly' to me - why can't you buy 1 card per country? Roaming (and specifically DATA roaming) charges are a nightmare.
mixture
30th Jan 2011, 22:35
DATA roaming charges are a nightmare.
Unless it's on the expense account, data roaming is something you should not even contemplate doing full stop.
PilotPieces
31st Jan 2011, 13:19
I have always used Oman Tel when over there. Good for wireless internet as well if you buy the adapter.