[Travelling + Saving Tips] Cut the Roaming Costs

Got a shock weeks ago when I finally got hold of my latest phone bill.

While I was mentally prepared for the surge after my recent trip and the recent addiction to the "twitter" (before I realized I'm allowed to text to a local number), nonetheless I felt it's time to stop the surge before I suffered another shock!

Having consulted some folks on and off the line, I summarized some of the feasible options available to cut down my phone bills when out for a short getaway.

MSN logo ripped from somewhere

Some guys suggested making voice-call using MSN messenger (if I decided to bring my MSI Wind along and the accommodation provides LAN cable) but the drawback is this is only limited to users using this popular communication tool.

Pre-paid SIM (above) by local operator is another option but with a lifespan of only THREE months and might be useful only for local dialling, not make call back home due to higher charges.

International Calling Card (ICC) by Singtel was mentioned too but the hassles are I always tend to forget my PIN (need to call and reset each time if happened) and also the bill takes it "own sweet time" to come.

The irony is I still keep my ICC in my wallet but hardly use it.

Furthermore, I was told it's economical to use fixed-line to make a call (even more troublesome if one is always on the road).

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) softwares such as "Skype" and "pfingo" are probably two of the most widely-used tool to make inexpensive call as compared to roaming calls.

Both the VOIP softwares can be installed on laptops equipped with Win XP or Vista and also on mobile devices such as PSP and PDA phones alike.

I only recently unpacked this "skype" phone after two years picked up as a door gift

Also the attractive part of these softwares is that calls made are not restricted within their own users (which free of charge), as users can make connecting external call to fixed-line and mobile number at a cost.

Maybe some of you guys must be thinking that I beating around the bush after the I seems to list more advantages of the VOIPs as compared than to the others but that's exactly I'm trying to prove.

I cannot deny that VOIP is, indeed, the most attractive option available that's why I need to protrude the minus-point of others before reflect the plus point of “skype” and “Pfingo”.

Below is a tip from an internet user sharing his/her experience using “Pfingo” while in China (rather tedious process though, just be patient when going through the steps).

to save your roaming cost, you can do the following:

• 1. register to Pfingo - basic user $2 per month (for 1 month) and top it up with $10 credit. You will have a number starts with 3xxx xxxx.
• 2. when u reach China, get a China pre-paid card. Take note the number
• 3. call forward your Singapore number to Pfingo number. You will be charge mobile outgoing fee, typically 16 cents per mins, depending on which plan or Telco (Singtel, M1 or Starhub) you are with.
• 4. call forward your Pfingo number to China prepaid number. You will be charged IDD for Pfingo to dial to your China prepad number. I think it's 2 cents per min.
• 5. So total = 18 cents per min as compared to probably $1 per mins or more (depending on your Telco).
• 6. Similarly, you can call to any Singapore number or any international number via Pfingo BOUNCE

Based on the above, you save 80% or more of your roaming fee. In addition, you do not need to subscribe roaming service but pay per use.

The only catch is that you need to find an internet to logon Pfingo and call forward Pfingo number to China prepaid number since you will not have a China prepaid number prior to going there to get Pfingo call forward to it.

Though it's tedious, but if you plan to make a lot of calls for whatsoever reason, you will save a lot. But if you make 1 or 2 calls throughout your trip, just use roaming... probably pay per use (+20% charge of typical fees).

In case you wonder, why need Pfingo is that you cannot call forward your Local singapore number to International number like China or any others. This is a regulation issue not just Singapore but everywhere in the world. Pfingo level "3" number helps to circumvent this issue.