How does Brightroam work?

The SIM card is like the "brain" of the GSM cell phone. It contains the information your cell phone needs to connect to a cellular carrier so that you can make and receive calls. Without a SIM card, your cell phone is useless. Simply insert a Brightroam international SIM card into any unlocked GSM cell phone and enjoy 50-80% savings on your cell phone calls while traveling outside of North America.

When you consider that North Americans report spending an average of $134 on cell phone charges per trip, an inexpensive SIM card that offers you savings of 50-80% on your calls is a worthwhile investment!

GSM Cell Phone Users - The SIM card in your North American GSM cell phone is programmed to charge international long distance and roaming rates when you travel outside of North America. Brightroam international SIM cards are designed to help you save on international roaming and work in any unlocked GSM cell phone.

GSM cellular carriers include AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. and Rogers Wireless in Canada.

CDMA Cell Phone Users - The SIM card in your North American CDMA cell phone is locked to the cell phone and does not work when you travel outside of North America. Brightroam offers you the option of purchasing an inexpensive unlocked GSM cell phone that you can use every time you travel internationally; and you don't have to change your domestic service.

Just choose a Brightroam International Cell Phone Bundle if you don't already have an unlocked GSM cell phone. You'll be able to use your world cell phone again on a future trip; either with your current SIM card or a new one for your next destination. All of our cell phones are contract-free so there's no monthly fee to worry about.

CDMA cellular carriers include Alltel, Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Bell Mobility and TELUS Mobility in Canada.

Use a Brightroam SIM card every time you leave North America

Saving a lot of money on your cell phone use while traveling is as easy as inserting your choice of Brightroam SIM card into an unlocked GSM cell phone. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose a country SIM card for one destination or our World SIM Card offering you the flexibility of use in any of 200+ countries in the coverage area.

What does my SIM card do?

Your SIM card is what provides your cell phone service and your international cell phone number.

How long is it active?

Your SIM card will be active for 90 days. That means you'll have service in your destination for this period. It is also easy to extend the activation period beyond 90 days.

What are my options?

Purchase either a country SIM card that provides local cellular service in the destination you choose, or a World SIM Card which provides cellular service in 200+ destinations.

Not sure how to switch the SIM card in your cell phone?

If you've never switched the SIM card in your cell phone before, it is as easy as changing your battery. Any of our SIM cards will work in any unlocked GSM cell phone.

Why would you choose a Country SIM card?

• You plan to travel a single country in the next 90 to 365 days
• You want the deepest savings on all of your cell phone calls while in that country
• You get a cell phone number that is local to that country.

Example:

Why would you choose a World SIM card?

• Your itinerary includes multiple countries, or you are planning to travel more than once to different destinations in the next 90 to 365 days
• You want great savings on airtime, but you'll spend a little more for the added flexibility of one SIM card that you can use wherever you travel in any of 200+ countries

A World SIM Card is the best choice offering you great airtime savings when you travel. You'll have the additional convenience of the same international cell phone number whenever you travel to any of these countries.

Example:

What happens when I've returned from my trip?

You can save your SIM card to use again in the activation period, or dispose of your SIM card if don't plan to return to that destination. The next time you travel, simply purchase a new international SIM card for your destination and use it in your world cell phone.

Because our cell phones are contract free, you don't pay anything when you aren't using the cell phone. And because our SIM cards are postpaid, when you do make cell phone calls, you'll be billed only for your actual usage.

Unlike prepaid cards, you don't have to guess, in advance, about how much calling you'll do and you don't have to pay for airtime you might not use.

Can I use any SIM card in my unlocked GSM cell phone?

Yes, all of our cell phones let you swap your SIM card any time. Every time you leave North America, just insert your preferred Brightroam international SIM card to enjoy great savings. Your SIM card remains active for a default of 90 days and you only pay for the calls you actually make and there aren't any contracts or other unexpected fees. If you want to extend the activation period beyond 90 days it is easy to do so.

How can I save the most?

You can maximize your savings by adding an airtime credit to your purchase of a country SIM card. If you can reasonably estimate in advance how many minutes of cellular calling you expect to do, you can save a further 10-20% off our already amazing rates.