Table of Contents
Many travellers and tourists around the world have long since discovered the convenient mobile phone feature of prepaid SIM, which helps them stay in touch without overpayments and commitments. Are you familiar with the technology? Are you ready to learn the benefits of a prepaid SIM for travel?
Related: “Top 5 Best eSIM Providers for Travel Abroad“
Using a physical or electronic SIM card with prepaid is a great option because:
- Plans to pay the charge on in advance are often cheaper than international roaming plans, which can be expensive and contain hidden charges;
- With this plan, you know exactly how much you’re paying upfront, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected charges or overpayments;
- e-SIMs or physical carriers often offer a limited amount of data, which can be useful if you are trying to limit your data usage while travelling;
- Such SIMs are widely available and can be purchased online, in various shops including appliance shops, supermarkets and online retailers;
- Prepaid SIM card for international travel has more flexibility than traditional SIM cards as you can change provider or plan at any time without being charged or penalised.
Prepaid SIM card usage statistics around the world
Statistics can best reflect reality. For example, a year ago the number of mobile connections with the charge on in advance was 4.1 billion. It is also interesting to learn that plans are often cheaper than postpaid plans, which makes them a popular choice for people who want to save on their mobile phone bills, especially when travelling.
Prepaid SIMs are popular among young people as they offer greater flexibility and do not require a credit check. For example, in international groups, about 60 per cent of young people aged 18 to 24 use these plans, according to a study by US researchers.
Prepaid plans are also popular in developing countries, where many people lack access to bank services or credit cards. In these regions, locals know how do prepaid SIM cards work and they can be purchased for cash in local shops, making them more accessible to the public. It’s worth noting that if you’re going to travel abroad, you can buy a tariff online by activating eSIM in your phone’s settings with a built-in chip. This will save not only money but also precious time that can be spent on more enjoyable experiences and activities.
In some countries, plans to pay the charge on in advance have a significant market share. In India, for example, plans with the charge on in advance account for over 90% of all mobile phone subscriptions.
Why do you need a Prepaid SIM for Travel: Features and Benefits
What is prepaid SIM? A such kind of SIM is a type of mobile phone plan in which you pay in advance for cellular services.
Experts highlight the following features of these SIM plans:
- No contract. Prepaid SIM cards do not require a contract with a mobile phone service provider, so you can change your plan or provider at any time;
- Pay as you go. You pay for the services you use in advance, so you don’t have to worry about overspending or unexpected charges;
- No credit checks. Unlike postpaid plans, which require a credit check, prepaid SIM cards require no credit check;
- No monthly bill. Because you pay in advance, you don’t receive a monthly bill. Instead, you receive notifications about low balance or the need to top up your account.
The list of international prepaid SIM companies in 2023
Having considered the advatages of prepaid SIM, it is interesting to get to know the list of popular international carriers:
- Vodafone is a multinational telecommunications company offering prepaid mobile services in many countries, including Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania;
Orange is a French multinational that offers mobile services in many countries, including Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The organisation offers a variety of tariff plans with variations in data volumes; - O2 is a UK-based telecommunications company that offers mobile services in many countries, including the UK, Germany and Spain. It offers tariffs with call and text message limits and international calling features;
- Telstra is an Australian company that offers prepaid phone services in Australia and some other countries;
- Airtel is an Indian multinational that offers services in many countries, including India, Africa and the Middle East. It is currently very popular with travellers;
- AT&T Prepaid operates on AT&T’s nationwide network that provides coverage in most parts of the US. Some AT&T Prepaid plans include international calling features that allow calls to certain countries at no extra charge;
- Metro by T-Mobile offers several prepaid plans that include unlimited talk and text, as well as varying data options.
Summary
Overall, a prepaid physical SIM or eSIM offers flexible and affordable plans that can be a good option for people who want to control their spending and be able to change plans or providers as needed. If you’re going on a trip or a business trip, think ahead about the prepaid cellular plan and opt for the modern SIM format – Embedded SIM or MFF2 technology: M2M form factor.
