International Roaming Rates Comparison

First, it is important to understand that currently approximately only 20% of USA and Canadian cell phones work internationally at all.  About 50% AT&T and T-Mobile’s cell phones work overseas and a very limited number of handsets from other carriers including Verizon, Sprint and Nextel work. So, the first thing you may want to determine is if your phone works internationally at any price. If it does, you will be paying anywhere from $0.99 to $4.99 per minute for incoming as well as outgoing calls. You will also need to add approximately 20% for taxes.

As you can see below, Cellular Abroad’s rates are significantly less expensive for outgoing calls and better yet, we offer unlimited free incoming calls in 65 countries. As an added benefit, the quality of our service is equivalent or superior to their service and our 7 days/week staff will ensure that you receive the correct product for your trip. International cellular service is all we do and we do it well!

Here is a sample of local and international rates for the most popular 19 international destinations in 2006 outbound from the United States according to the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (https://tinet.ita.doc.gov/). We offer service for over 200 countries worldwide.

Cellular Abroad’s rates

Please note that we do not charge tax on our per-minute rates.

** Not available yet in these countries

Verizon’s Rates

Verizon offers international service but you must purchase an additional phone through them. Currently their least expensive phone is $229 and you must sign a 2 year contract. Please note that you must apply additional charges of approximately 20% to the below rates.

AT&T’s rates

Currently, about 50% of AT&T’s cell phones are enabled to work overseas. If your phone does work overseas, but you do not want to pay these expensive rates (don’t forget to add 20% to these rates), you can order just a SIM card from Cellular Abroad. Please make sure that AT&T has provided you the unlock code to your phone so you can swap out the SIM cards.

Sprint’s Rates

Sprint offers international service but you must purchase or rent a cell phone through them. Please note that you must apply additional charges of approximately 20% to the below rates.

T-Mobile’s Rates

If you are a T-Mobile customer, you have about a 50% chance that your cell phone will work overseas (greater if it is a newer and more expensive handset). If you have ascertained that your phone does work, you may want to consider purchasing a SIM card from Cellular Abroad and using your current handset. This way, you will only incur the cost of the SIM card and still be able to take advantage of the savings. Make sure T-Mobile provides you with the unlock code for your phone so you can swap out the SIM card.  Please do not forget to add approximately 20% to the below rates to have an accurate picture of what T-Mobile charges for international roaming.