An Observation about ekit SIM cards if you plan on using them in the USA.

[rfranzq]

If you are going to use ekit in the USA, you will want to get a SIMple Calling Service or SIMple Calling Plus Service SIM card rather than the 'standard' ekit SIM cards. Why? Because the USA [& Canada] rates are much better than the 'standard' ekit SIM card rates. A little time spent on the ekit web site comparing rates will confirm this for you. To find the TWO SIMple calling cards use the SIM search function at ekit.com and choose 'All countries' for "Works in:" and 'United States' for "Shipping to:". To purchase at a very reasonable cost, find the appropriate card on eBay at sellers ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa. Each of these sellers sells only one of the SIMple calling cards and you need to check the rates to figure out which one is the one right for you and the one you want.

[MATHA531]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

If you are going to use ekit in the USA, you will want to get a SIMple Calling Service or SIMple Calling Plus Service SIM card rather than the 'standard' ekit SIM cards. Why? Because the USA [& Canada] rates are much better than the 'standard' ekit SIM card rates. A little time spent on the ekit web site comparing rates will confirm this for you. To find the TWO SIMple calling cards use the SIM search function at ekit.com and choose 'All countries' for "Works in:" and 'United States' for "Shipping to:". To purchase at a very reasonable cost, find the appropriate card on eBay at sellers ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa. Each of these sellers sells only one of the SIMple calling cards and you need to check the rates to figure out which one is the one right for you and the one you want.

BTW be careful here.....you want the simple plus us card it seems and you want to order it on ebay.....the ekit web site charges $69 for the same exact card which costs $9 on ebay.

[highered]

Originally Posted by MATHA531

BTW be careful here.....you want the simple plus us card it seems and you want to order it on ebay.....the ekit web site charges $69 for the same exact card which costs $9 on ebay.

ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa are the Ebay accounts of Ekit themselves (US and UK offices I think), so there's no extra risk ordering from those Ebay usernames. The trickiest thing is to make sure you order the right card.

Previous discussion:
Ekit review
ekit dual number [US & UK] SIMs

Ebay sites:
http://stores.ebay.com/ekitmobileusa
http://stores.ebay.com/ekitmobile

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by highered

ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa are the Ebay accounts of Ekit themselves (US and UK offices I think), so there's no extra risk ordering from those Ebay usernames. The trickiest thing is to make sure you order the right card.

Previous discussion:
Ekit review
ekit dual number [US & UK] SIMs

Ebay sites:
eBay Store - ekit Mobile USA: Category 1
eBay Store - ekit Mobile: International Sim Cards, Global Sim Cards, Caribbean Sim Cards

I have limited International needs - a trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks, one to Greece a couple of months after that. Want to use my Verizon Touch Pro 2. I purchased a Celtrek SIM with $45 credit about 2 weeks ago, got a U.S. number, tested it out, and thought I was good to go. Starting last week, however, it appears that they may have bit the dust, so I'm back to square one...

I'm interested in EKit - and as you point out, there is a multiplicity of cards and options, which given my limited experience and needs, makes this a tough thing to sort out.

I've contacted them through EBay, but no response yet, asking what card/plan would be appropriate for my situation. As per above, I want a U.S. number so family can call if they need, and reasonably inexpensive rates to call U.S. from those 2 countries. Don't need a large amount of minutes, as we'll just touch base from time to time.

I don't want or need Data, Texting might be worthwhile if cost-effective.

Any recommendations on a specific EBay EKit product to purchase for these needs?

Thank you.

[highered]

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

I have limited International needs - a trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks, one to Greece a couple of months after that. Want to use my Verizon Touch Pro 2. I purchased a Celtrek SIM with $45 credit about 2 weeks ago, got a U.S. number, tested it out, and thought I was good to go. Starting last week, however, it appears that they may have bit the dust, so I'm back to square one...

I'm interested in EKit - and as you point out, there is a multiplicity of cards and options, which given my limited experience and needs, makes this a tough thing to sort out.

I've contacted them through EBay, but no response yet, asking what card/plan would be appropriate for my situation. As per above, I want a U.S. number so family can call if they need, and reasonably inexpensive rates to call U.S. from those 2 countries. Don't need a large amount of minutes, as we'll just touch base from time to time.

I don't want or need Data, Texting might be worthwhile if cost-effective.

Any recommendations on a specific EBay EKit product to purchase for these needs?

Thank you.

Either the Simple Plus or the Passport.

Here's the Passport:
International World SIM card with free Incoming calls! - eBay (item 130287597538 end time Mar-10-10 02:24:46 PST)
Free incoming via your UK number in both Costa Rica and Greece.
Full Passport rate info: http://ekit.com/ekit/MobileInfo/Serv...rt_dual/#rates

Simple Plus info: http://ekit.com/ekit/MobileInfo/Serv...us_dual/#rates
(I didn't see this one on Ebay, but I didn't look too hard.)

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by highered

Either the Simple Plus or the Passport.

Here's the Passport:
International World SIM card with free Incoming calls! - eBay (item 130287597538 end time Mar-10-10 02:24:46 PST)
Free incoming via your UK number in both Costa Rica and Greece.
Full Passport rate info: ekit, Passport SIM card

Simple Plus info: ekit, SIMple Calling + SIM card
(I didn't see this one on Ebay, but I didn't look too hard.)

Many thanks. The first one looks like the best option.

What is the track record for Ekit, in terms of the likelihood of their going belly-up, like Celtrek apparently has just done?

[Bossman]

I think I remember your post in Howard Forums. And I was one of those that recommended Celtrek and also mentioned that you check out this forum. Unfortunately, the global sim market is very dynamic right now. There are too many players offering the same thing and the market just cannot sustain them all. So, a lot of them will fall by the way side, especially as carriers (mostly in the EU) continue to reduce their roaming rates.

Have you looked into Telna mobile at all? I did not see Costa Rica on their list of countries though. They only charge you monthly (your credit card) when you use it and they also give you a US number. I guess that is what their $19/yearly fee covers. And that is the only up-front cost, since they have free shipping in the US. There are a couple of threads about telna in the forums here, so you may want to check them out.

Here is their website: telna Mobile - Low cost cellular service for international travelers(international sim card for reduced roaming for inbound and outbound calls while abroad)

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

I have limited International needs - a trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks, one to Greece a couple of months after that. Want to use my Verizon Touch Pro 2. I purchased a Celtrek SIM with $45 credit about 2 weeks ago, got a U.S. number, tested it out, and thought I was good to go. Starting last week, however, it appears that they may have bit the dust, so I'm back to square one...

I'm interested in EKit - and as others have pointed out, there is a multiplicity of cards and options, which given my limited experience and needs, makes this a tough thing to sort out.

I've contacted them through EBay, but no response yet, asking what card/plan would be appropriate for my situation. As per above, I want a U.S. number so family can call if they need, and reasonably inexpensive rates to call U.S. from those 2 countries. Don't need a large amount of minutes, as we'll just touch base from time to time.

I don't want or need Data, Texting might be worthwhile if cost-effective.

Any recommendations on a specific EBay EKit product to purchase for these needs?

Thank you.

[RTuesday]

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

What is the track record for Ekit, in terms of the likelihood of their going belly-up, like Celtrek apparently has just done?

They've been around since 1999 (probably just calling cards in the early days) and are Australian-based. Which gives them more of an international spread of operations compared to some of the European providers who are battling the EU's reduction in roaming costs.

But no company is immune from problems, so what I liked about the sims was that they cost me only $9 + shipping with about $10 in balance on them, and the minimum online recharge is only $10, so not a great deal to lose. I have a couple of the US/Canada only sims (no longer sold, but still work fine).

[DLCPhoto]

Thanks for the replies. I had a look at telna, and no, they don't seem to include Costa Rica, so that's not a good option for me.

I'll give Celtrek another day or two to resurface, and will probably go with Ekit. $20 plus another $10 or so in additional balance, so it's not a fortune.

Since I never got to use the Celtrek SIM I'm going to contact my Credit Card about refunding the charges if they don't come back to life.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

Many thanks. The first one looks like the best option.

What is the track record for Ekit, in terms of the likelihood of their going belly-up, like Celtrek apparently has just done?

I strongly suggest that you get the SIMple Plus card indicated above. It is $9+$3shipping=$12 versus $20 +$3=$23 for the Passport. The SIMple card has the _SAME_ rates as the Passport for Greece and Costa Rica and cheaper rates in the USA [so you can test it?! or set up voicemail] before you go. Be sure you use the eBay seller ekitmobileusa for the SIMple card.
I have been using various ekit cards for over 3 years and their web interface and customer service is excellent.