Things We Like: New Overseas Phone Deal

One of the greatest inventions for phone-dependent globe trotters was the SIM chip, that fingernail-sized card you slide in the back of a tri-band phone that gives you a local phone number while visiting almost any country in the world.  Of course, you had to buy a separate chip for EACH country in order to reap the two biggest advantages of the chip: A local number (meaning calls within that country are dirt cheap) and, usually, free incoming calls from anywhere in the world. 

Now there's a new chip that allows travelers to Europe to cross borders without changing (and paying for) a chip in each country.  You're able to retain the same phone number--with a Lichtenstein country code--in 31 European countries (and Israel) and receive all incoming calls at no charge.  You can also use the chip in dozens of other countries around the world (from Albania to Hong Kong to the US and Uzbekistan), but you'll incur a per-minute charge (usually about 98 cents) when you accept incoming calls. 

The Santa Monica-based company that supplies my public television film crew with SIM chips when we travel overseas, Cellular Abroad, offers this new chip that includes 30 minutes of talk time, but you can top off your chip with more minutes as needed.  The price of this "Talk Abroad" chip is $79, but if you use the code "MAXA," the price is $69.  Remember, your phone must be able to accept SIM chips and be activated by your cell service provider for international service.

If you don't have a phone that accepts SIM chips, you may rent a tri-band phone from Cellular Abroad.  But if you're planning on staying in Europe longer than a couple of weeks or if you're planning return visits, it makes financial sense to purchase a tri-band phone WITH the new SIM for $179.  Again, you'll receive $10 off any order if you use the code "MAXA" when you buy on line at www.cellularabroad.com or by calling 800-287-5072.

Footnote: If you don't use your number for nine months, you'll lose it, and your SIM chip will have no value.  You can make a quick call even if you're in the US, however, and that activity will begin a new, nine-month cycle.  The nice folks at Cellular Abroad can provide details.