Prepaid SIM cards allow you to receive incoming messages for free.
A SIM (subscriber identity module) card is a type of memory chip used in certain portable devices, including cell phones and smart phones. These cards allow you to retain the information saved on your mobile device even if you switch phones. Simply remove the SIM card from one phone and put it in another. Some SIM cards allow you to receive free incoming calls, which is especially useful if you are planning to travel in other countries.
Passport Lite
The Passport US Lite SIM Card is for travelers who don't plan to make many outgoing calls while in other countries. This card comes with $5 of airtime credit, and you can add more. You will receive both a U.S. and UK phone number, and you can receive incoming calls on both numbers for free. Other features include free customer service, text messages and voice mail, and there are no connection fees. You can view your receipts and call logs online. As of 2010, this SIM card costs $5.
OneSimCard
This SIM card allows you to receive free incoming calls in up to 75 countries, including Argentina, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. The card provides prepaid cell phone service in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Middle East and South America. This is a pay-as-you-go plan, which means you can add minutes as you need, and rates for outgoing calls range from 29 cents to $1.10 as of 2010 depending on the country. In 2010, the card and features bundle ranges from $29.95 to $250. This package includes free voice mail and texts.
Explorer SIM Card
The Explorer SIM Card allows you to receive free incoming calls in 51 destinations, with outgoing calls starting at 45 cents per minute in 2010. If you have a phone with 3G WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), you can also receive coverage in Japan. Other features include the ability to receive free incoming SMS (short message service) text messages in all destinations, and a $10 airtime credit. Outgoing text messages start at 40 cents per message as of 2010. You can, however, send free SMS texts to any other Explorer subscriber. You can also get voice mail with this card. This is a pay-as-you-go plan. As of 2010, the SIM card costs $59.
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