Frequently Asked Questions
Your SIMS2GO operates in almost the same way as a normal SIM. The only difference is that when you make an outgoing call, our system dynamically finds the most efficient carrier to route your call to its destination. Typically this takes only a few seconds before your phone will ring, letting you know that the connection has been made. Just answer the call and you will be through to the number dialled. Incoming calls are unaffected by our system, as in most cases the caller is paying for the total cost of the call.
Is this VOIP?
No. VOIP is the term used for voice over internet protocol and describes systems that route voice calls over internet systems such as Broadband or WiFi hotspots. Examples of companies that do this are Skype, JaJah and Truphone etc., To use this type of technology for mobile calls you will need a symbian or Apple i-phone type of mobile phone. This is because the software used to power these applications is quite complicated and needs powerful processors such as the types used in these mobile phones. SimstoGo SIM does not use VOIP therefore you can use almost any phone to make cheap roaming calls whilst abroad. You do not need to worry about getting an internet link or finding a WiFi hotspot! You simply call as normal and we route your call through A-Grade mobile and landline operators (you can see a list of over 700 of these by clicking on the call-cost tab above)
Why is it so much cheaper than other mobile operators?
SimstoGo uses technology and partnerships to create a world where the subscriber gets the best possible service at great rates. The ultimate goal is to abolish different charging rates based on the country you are from; this allows the subscriber to become a local in each country visited and benefit from the cheaper call rates.
How long will unused credit stay on my card?
Normally there is NO expiry of credit. Unlike other companies, we believe that if you don`t use up all of your credit on holiday this year, then it should still be there for your holiday next year. Keep talking though! You need to use our Services at least once within any 400 day period either by making a chargeable call or sending a text message. If you don`t we may suspend your access to the Services and disconnect you from the Network. We dont really want to lose you as a customer so please ensure you keep talking or texting!
Can I share my card?
At SimstoGo we believe that good things are for sharing. You can use your Travel SIM in almost ANY mobile phone, provided it is unlocked. So you can share the card between other members of your family, for example if they holiday at different times of the year! You can even lend it to one of your mates (you always know how much credit is loaded on the SIM which means that they can give you the right amount of cash BEFORE taking the sim away)
What MoneySavingExpert.com says.....,
The video below was made by Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com fame in 2008. We really liked this video because it describes exactly how your home network hits you with hidden charges from the minute that you switch your phone on in a foreign country. Even though the costs have changed a little since 2008 the system that mobile networks use to charge you is still the same today. Enjoy the video.
Will it work in my phone?
Our service works with nearly all mobile phones including Blackberries, PDA`s and i-Phone ( i-Phone 4 requires a micro SIM, so please make sure that you select this product in the shopping cart) but as a general guide any handset manufactured within the last 6 years should be compatible. Just ensure your mobile phone is unlocked . You can also physically check if your phone is unlocked by inserting a SIM from a different network provider in your phone. If you get one of the following messages, your phone is probably locked:
- "Insert SIM"
- "Enter subsidy code"
- "Phone restricted"
- "SIM not valid"
- "SIM not accepted"
- "SIM locked"
- "Wrong SIM"
- "Network locked"
- "SIM card registration failed"
If your phone is locked it's easy to unlock it online, at a local mobile phone shop or by asking your current network operator for the unlock code. Most networks will supply this free of charge as long as you have used the handset for at least 3 months and you are the owner of the contract/phone, then they are bound by law to supply you this information.
Will my existing contact numbers be usable on my phone?
Yes! If your contact numbers are stored on your phones` memory then we recommend that you update your numbers to include your country code (+44 if you are from the UK. Make sure you take off the first 0 on the UK number then add +44)
e.g. 0333 600 60 60 would become +44 333 600 60 60.
To check if your contact numbers are saved on your phone`s memory, you can insert your travel SIM. If you can see your contacts, your phone is ready for use.
If your contact numbers are not available, then place your UK SIM back into the phone and copy your contacts from the UK SIM onto the phone memory. Alternatively you may want to purchase our SIM back-up reader from the ONLINE SHOP tab above. With this product you can simply and quickly transfer your contacts from your normal SIM onto your SimstoGo SIM.
Will my SIMS2GO support DATA roaming?
Yes! Even though this is a relatively new service all existing SIMS2GO SIM cards are data enabled and will support data service. There is no need of an additional card either, just one card with one number that supports both voice and data services- simple! Data speeds will be dependent upon the network that you are roaming on (3g or 2g etc), your handset, the size of file you are downloading and the volume of traffic on the network at the time you are using it.
1GB a month will give you:
Send 1000 Outlook/HTML Emails
Surf the Web for 10 hours
Download 5 four-minute videos
Download 32 four-minute music tracks
Getting started
You need to configure your mobile for data use. To do this you will need to rename your Access Point Name (APN) in your mobile phone settings to mobiledata and select the option for no authentication, you are now good to go! If you cannot receive data the first time after entering these settings, it is a good idea to go back and check that your device did not "over write" the SIMS2GO settings with its original APN settings. Sometimes this can happen and you will need to just re-enter the SIMS2GO settings again in this case.
Setting up email
Most email accounts work with our service, but there are always a few that don't. You'll need to have an account with a provider that lets you pick up your email remotely, using technology called POP3 or IMAP.
In some cases, you might need to enable email forwarding. You can do this by going to the website of your email provider, logging in as usual, and choosing the forwarding option in the settings or options menu. Some providers might also give you the option to enable forwarding only for mail that arrives from now on. Its a good idea to do this, otherwise your phone might try to download all the emails in your Inbox!
Finally, you can choose whether you want to download the entire email each time you check your inbox on your phone, or just download the header. By downloading the header, you can see what the email is about and decide whether you want to see the full message. If you'd like to set up this option, just go to the Advanced Settings or Configuration Options on your phone.