Load a Roaming SIM Card

Many people choose to use a SIM card from the Philippines while traveling or living abroad. Using a Globe, Smart or Sun Cellular SIM card allows you to have a Philippine mobile number that your loved one’s or Filipina can use to text and call you. This means they only pay regular text message rates to send you a text no matter what part of the world you are living in. You will pay a little more however to text back since you are abroad. This is still a more cost effective option than international texting and your Filipina will text you more!

If you purchase your SIM card in the Philippines you should make sure to activate your SIM for international roaming prior to leaving the Philippines. You can ask how to do this at a mobile shop or by visiting the mobile carriers website. We also have included directions; Globe, Smart Sun. If you do not activate for roaming before leaving the Philippines you may not be able to use the SIM while abroad. If you purchase a SIM outside the Philippines make sure it can be activated for roaming. Each carrier has different types of SIM cards that can be activated for roaming abroad. Again it is best to check with each carrier before buying to be sure your Globe, Smart, or Sun SIM card will be ready to roam abroad. You will also need an “unlocked GSM phone” to use that SIM card. Nokia makes several inexpensive phones you can purchase.

It is very important to make sure you extend your SIM card roaming feature when Globe, Smart or Sun send you a text advisory to do so. This is done through texting and is quite easy. You also need to buy load for your phone so it will not expire while you are away from the Philippines. Using a service like aryty.com is an easy way to purchase Globe, Smart or Sun load for any SIM while roaming. This will help keep your SIM active and you will never be in a jam to try and find a card. Some SIM cards require a minimum load balance be kept on the SIM card in order to use them while roaming. Check the requirements of your specific SIM for more details. We have details on load balances and rates for each Philippine provider here; Globe, Smart, Sun.

To purchase a Philippine sim card in the USA you may want to visit your local Philippine store or go online to a site such as www.cellularabroad.com which offers sim cards from different countries. You can also use the online auction ebay.com. There is also a site called www.freephilippinesimcard.com that promises free sim cards in exchange for some of your email information. Once you have your Philippine sim get a free load e-load at www.aryty.com and start texting back home. Saya saya naman!

All the Philippine cellular providers have different plans and rules for their roaming SIM cards. Read more about your specific SIM before roaming.

Find out about Globe roaming here »
Find out about Smart roaming here »
Find out about Sun roaming here »