Cell/Mobile Phone Basics for Travelers Part 3: Beyond the Mobile Phone

In this last post on cell/mobile basics let's look at choices for those of you wanting alternatives to mobile phone communication while you galavant around the globe.

Return Call Service (also called Call Back Service) offers an alternative way for international travelers using mobile phones to avoid the high international rates for outgoing calls on their phone. In some cases, Return Call Rates may be better than local SIM cards with GSM unlocked phones. Here is how it works. First, you obtain a unique telephone number in your home country (these can be obtained from sellers such as Telestial or China Mobile. When you are traveling, you call the unique number using any phone (your mobile, your hotel, it doesn't matter). Upon the first ring you hang up. This prevents you from being charged for an international call. The Return Call Service records your number and calls you back a few moments later (China Mobile numbers offer a feature where you can record a message for this return call instructing hotel personnel to connect the call to your room). Once you receive the call back you are then within the Return Call automated system where you can dial the number of the person you wish to reach. Most cell phones do not charge for incoming calls and some SIM cards also offer free incoming international calls. Thus, you do not pay for the incoming call, you only pay the per minute fee of the Return Call service. I found fees to be around .14 cents per minute for U.S./France calls and .20 cents per minute for U.S./Thailand calls.

A word of caution for Return Call Service users: Be aware that certain Global Roaming SIM cards do not allow for use of this service. However, you should be alright with local prepaid SIM cards.

A couple of benefits of choosing Return Call Service:

* No set up fee
* Pay as you go
* No need for special equipment. In fact, you could call from any phone and really have no need to travel with a mobile.
* No need to ask clients to call you.

Our second alternative to a mobile phone will appeal to those most adventurous folks who travel beyond the boundaries of mobile phone services. The satellite phone will allow you to shoot the breeze with mom and dad while you're planting your flag on the North Pole. Satellite phones come with all the features of most mobile phones without any of the boundaries. However, you will pay the price. Satellite phones can range from $700-$2000 U.S.. You can also choose to rent if you don't wish to own. Rental prices from Telestial range from $7 per day to $19 per day depending on duration.

A word of caution for satellite phone users: In addition to your cost for purchase or rental of a satellite phone be prepared for rates around $1.70 U.S. per minute, as well as set up fees. Also, be aware that not all satellite phones reach to the far corners of the earth. Some of the less pricey brands have more limited ranges of service. Buyer beware.

Benefits of choosing a satellite phone:
* with the right phone you can get service on 100% of the globe.

Finally, we have Skype". If you'd like to do away with the phones altogether and travel only with your trusty laptop, consider Skyping. At this point in time many people are Skype pros and yet the technology is still new enough that there are plenty of folks who have never heard of it. Skype allows you to open an account on their web site with name and password. By attaching a headset to your laptop you can then "Skype Out" or place a "Skype to Skype" call to anyone anywhere. Skyping out allows you to call any telephone in the world from your laptop. Placing a Skype to Skype call refers to a call from your laptop to the computer of another individual with a Skype" account. The beauty of the Skype to Skype call is that it is completely free! However, even Skyping Out rates are extremely reasonable and better than any phone rate you can probably find. In addition, Skype accounts come with voice mail features just as your phone would.

A word of caution to potential Skype users: be sure that you will have access to a good high speed connection if you intend to use Skype for important conversations such as coaching calls to clients, or teleconferences. Without a good connection you may experience substantial noise. However, with a good connection, calls are as clear as with any other telephone.

Benefits of using Skype":
* Probably the best rates overall of any audio communication device.
* Ability to communicate without a telephone and from any place with high speed internet.
* Possibility of free communication in a Skype to Skype scenario.