Fone Forum

Global roaming MVNO WorldSIM has launched a Sim card that stores multiple local mobile numbers, allowing customers to make calls at local rates in over 200 countries.

The company claims its Sim card will save customers up to 95% on their roaming bills in those 200 countries.

It will also be launching its own range of handsets with a dual Sim card slot, so users can go abroad with both their own Sim and a WorldSIM loaded into the handset.

A customer can access the service by purchasing a WorldSIM prior to travel - the card works in any unlocked handset.

The Sim enables free incoming calls from 80 countries including the US, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and South Africa.  Outbound calls will cost around 25p per minute.

Arif Reza, director at WorldSIM, said: 'By March or April the UK cost should be down to between 10p and 15p per minute, so no different to any prepay rate.'

Roaming agreements are available in over 200 countries and more local country numbers are being added this year.  Customers will be able to add these numbers onto their Sim over the air without the need to upgrade their card.

The company expects to distribute the card through travel agents, tour operators, online travel providers, ferry ports, airports, hotels and outlets such as forex bureaus, as well as the normal mobile retail and distribution channels.

Reza said: 'We won't be cannibalising companies like Lycamobile.  Our service is aimed at travellers who need roaming services.  We will offer revenue sharing to whoever sells the Sim card, such as a travel agent.'

WorldSIM is also looking to partner with mobile network operators.  'There are benefits for them,' said Reza.

Travel Genie - dual Sim handset
WorldSIM is planning to launch its own range of four or five customised handsets aimed particularly at customers in the UK, Europe and the US where a lot of handsets are locked.

The first device is called the Travel Genie.  The company is looking for distributors in the UK, but said nothing was finalised yet.

Asif Reza, director at WorldSIM, said: 'A lot of people want our roaming Sim card, but they don't want to carry two phones.  So we are providing a mid-range phone that is optimised to work with dual Sim cards.

'Customers can receive calls on both cards and when making a call, they can select which one they want to use.  The phone display shows both network bars.'

The Travel Genie is manufactured in South Korea and uses Samsung's operating system under licence.  It has a touch-screen and a keypad and will be available in silver or black.

Source:-   MobileToday (http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News_Special/Mobile_World_Congress_2010/MWC__WorldSIM_card_‘will_save_95__on_roaming_bills’.aspx).