Internet
What Is a Pocket WiFi? How Does It Work? And How to Use It
In this post, we will deeply explore what Pockets WiFi are, how they work, how much they cost, and what are the alternatives.
Advertising Disclosure
Advertising Disclosure
Roami was founded to serve as a trusted resource for travelers in need of reliable internet solutions abroad. Our team, comprising avid travelers, provides comprehensive reviews and guidance on data SIM cards, eSIMs, pocket WiFi devices, and free WiFi apps, drawing from firsthand usage during our travels.
We are committed to offering unbiased and thorough recommendations. To support our website, we earn affiliate commissions from links to products on our site. While our reviews are independent and based on our own experiences and detailed product testing, these commissions allow us to cover costs and continue bringing valuable advice to travelers worldwide.
Our reviews and articles are updated regularly to ensure relevance and accuracy. Please note that we may not review every product in the market, but we strive to cover as many as possible to maintain a wide-ranging resource for our readers. Join us at Roami to stay connected wherever your travels may take you.
If you’re seeking guidance on discovering the best prepaid card for international calls, this post is for you. We’ve gathered a range of alternatives that will help you uncover the array of plans and rates accessible in the market. You can decide whether they align with your travel needs and preferences, be it cost-effectiveness, flexibility, coverage, supplementary perks, and other aspects we’ll delve into later.
Before you start checking out these options, make sure you think about how long you’ll be traveling, how much you usually chat on the phone, and whether you know anyone in the place you’re heading to. These things will help you figure out what kind of plan suits you best: one all about calls, a mix of calls and data, or just data to communicate through apps like WhatsApp and iMessage.
Table of Contents
- Which prepaid card is the ultimate choice for international calls?
- Where can you buy a prepaid calling card?
- What's in the virtual prepaid card and its cost?
- What's in the physical prepaid card and its cost?
- Comparing Prepaid Cards for International Calls
- Which prepaid card is ideal for international calls?
- FAQs about the prepaid calling card
Which prepaid card is the ultimate choice for international calls?
Indeed, the best prepaid card offering international calls it’s the one that fits into your mobile device, freeing you up to chat away without worrying about those wallet-busting roaming charges while abroad. Moreover, it throws in some extra perks so you can keep your family and friends close no matter where you are.
So, you’ve got two options to pick from: the classic physical SIM card or the modern virtual SIM card. With either choice, you load up the exact mobile services you need for your journey, all paid upfront, and say goodbye to those contracts or long-term ties. To explain, here we break down the essentials of each option:
Virtual Prepaid Card
The digital counterpart of the SIM cards we insert in our phones, the virtual prepaid SIM card operates using a smaller chip than the Nano-SIM. It’s all embedded into eSIM-compatible cell phones, allowing you to flexibly activate various data and call plans concurrently with a simple tweak to your phone’s settings.
Right now, it’s the handiest solution for activating a worldwide plan that covers your calling and data needs. Now, if you’re mulling over the best choice, we suggest you glance at the Holafly Virtual Prepaid Card. It delivers a range of adaptable plans for numerous international stops, all at pocket-friendly rates. Plus, it’s super user-friendly and comes with bonus perks to enhance your journey from start to finish.
Indeed, a great deal of mobile providers is tossing the virtual prepaid SIM card (eSIM) into their mix of products and services. However, most of these are aimed at regular customers, with only a handful considering the itinerants. Therefore, double-check if your phone’s got the compatibility stamp before you decide.
Physical Prepaid Card
The physical prepaid card stands as the prime choice for devices that support Mini-SIM, Micro-SIM, and Nano-SIM cards. It features remarkable versatility, seamlessly fitting into nearly any unlocked mobile device that’s compatible with the foreign carrier’s network. Moreover, topping up is a breeze, offering numerous adaptable plans and rates.
Depending on the country you’re visiting, you’ll come across major cell phone giants like Vodafone, Orange, Optus, T-Mobile, O2, AT&T, Telstra, and more. So, when it comes to grasping a prepaid card for local use, the process won’t be too complex as long as you meet the prerequisites.
Where can you buy a prepaid calling card?
When you’re on the hunt for the best prepaid calling card for international use, you’ve got a handful of options:
- Online retailers: You can score prepaid SIM cards (both physical and virtual) from online stores, be they mobile operators or specialized internet providers.
- Mobile operator outlets: Most operators have their customer service centers and authorized outlets dispersed all over the country where you can shop for prepaid chips (physical and virtual).
- Airports: Drop by the airport – it’s a hotspot for discovering prepaid cards from various operators, each offering diverse local usage plans and rates.
What’s in the virtual prepaid card and its cost?
The content of a prepaid (virtual) card can differ depending on the provider. For instance, let’s look at Holafly’s deal: it packs unlimited calls and data across Europe. This simplifies the comparison with other choices, backing you in spotting the best alternative for your upcoming global adventure.
Prepaid rates from Holafly
| Days | Mobile data | Minutes for talking | Price in US dollars |
| 5 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $19.00 |
| 7 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $27.00 |
| 10 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $34.00 |
| 15 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $47.00 |
| 20 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $54.00 |
| 30 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $64.00 |
| 60 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $87.00 |
| 90 days | Unlimited | 60 minutes for making and 60 minutes for receiving calls. | $99.00 |
Coverage of Holafly’s prepaid (virtual) card
Currently, Holafly’s prepaid (virtual) card encompasses various European locations, as outlined in the following list:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Europe (32 countries)
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Benefits of Holafly’s Virtual Prepaid SIM Card
Opting for a virtual prepaid card with unlimited calls and data presents forth a range of advantages. This entails not only the ability to make traditional voice calls but also a data package that lets you stay connected through instant messaging apps without roaming charges. In detail, here’s what you gain with Holafly:
- 60 minutes for outgoing calls from anywhere in Europe, **excluding Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey.
- 60 minutes for incoming calls from any country.
- You’re equipped with an Austrian number (+43) for seamless communication within Europe.
- Unlimited data plans for varying usage durations.
- Your WhatsApp usage stays unaffected, allowing you to call and message.
- The virtual prepaid card is delivered instantly.
- The Top Up option enables you to recharge for a new plan.
- Diverse plans and rates, giving you the flexibility to pick the best choice.
- Streamlined buying and use, freeing you from depending on others.
- Round-the-clock customer service in English to assist you at any hour.
What’s in the physical prepaid card and its cost?
Transitioning to the physical prepaid card, it’s worth noting that operators typically provide complimentary SIM cards, leaving users to simply top up the prepaid plan that aligns with their needs. To clarify this, we have compiled the tariffs of the leading American, British, and Australian mobile operators.
Vodafone prepaid mobile rate – UK
| Prepaid rate | What does it include? | Price and days of use |
| Pay as you go 10 bundle | Domestic: 21 GB, unlimited local texts, and minutes To call abroad, 8-day Europe Minutes Extra is added for 5$ for 100 minutes of calls to European destinations. | $12/30 days + $5 to call abroad |
| Pay as you go 15 bundle | Domestic: 60 GB, unlimited local texts, and minutes To call abroad, 8-day Europe Minutes Extra is added for 5$ for 100 minutes of calls to European destinations. | $19 / 30 days + $5 to call abroad |
| Pay as you go 20 bundle | Domestic: 120 GB, unlimited local texts, and minutes To call abroad, 8-day Europe Minutes Extra is added for 5$ for 100 minutes of calls to European destinations. | $25 / 30 days + $5 to call abroad |
| Pay as you go 30 bundle | Domestic: 300 GB, unlimited local texts, and minutes To call abroad, 8-day Europe Minutes Extra is added for 5$ for 100 minutes of calls to European destinations. | $38 / 30 days + $5 to call abroad |
| Pay as you go 40 bundle | Domestic: unlimited local data, texts and minutes To call abroad, 8-day Europe Minutes Extra is added for 5$ for 100 minutes of calls to European destinations. | $50 / 30 days + $5 to call abroad |
**Important to realize that when buying the Vodafone prepaid mobile card online, you’ll need to complete a form requesting a British phone number and a verified address for plastic chip delivery.
Coverage of Vodafone Prepaid Card for International Calls
With the Vodafone UK prepaid SIM card, you can make international calls from the UK to destinations listed within our coverage, as detailed below:
- Aland Islands
- Austria
- Azores
- Balearic Islands
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canary Islands
- Croatia
- Cyprus, except Northern Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France (incl. Corsica)
- French Guiana
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guadeloupe
- Guernsey
- Hungary
- Italy
- Jersey
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madeira
- Malta
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Reunion
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- St. Barthelemy
- St. Martin
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Prepaid Packages from AT&T- USA
| Prepaid rate | What does it include? | Price and days of use |
| AT&T prepaid 5GB | 5 GB of high-speed local data, unlimited text, and calls You can use these services also in Mexico and Canada | $30 / 30 days |
| AT&T prepaid 15GB | 15 GB of high-speed local data, unlimited text, and calls You can use these services also in Mexico and Canada | $40 / 30 days |
| AT&T prepaid Unlimited | Unlimited high-speed local data, text and calls You can use these services also in Mexico and Canada (up to 25 GB only) | $65 / 30 days |
AT&T prepaid plans are a good option for tourists in the country. This is one of the main operators and has 5G speed navigation in almost all the territory. Buying it locally requires a passport, personal information and confirm the IMEI of your phone. To opt for international minutes you have to hire an Add-on.
AT&T Prepaid Card International Call Coverage
It is important to mention that in order to qualify for these additional destinations we must pay $10 for the international calling add on our prepaid SIM card. This will give us 250 minutes to call from USA to 70 other destinations in the world:
- Aland Islands
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Easter Island
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- Germany
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jersey
- Kuwait
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Reunion Island
- Romania
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
Prepaid Mobile Plan from Telstra – Australia
| Prepaid rate | What does it include? | Price and days of use |
| SIM Starter Kit 3 GB | 3 GB on 4G/LTE or 5G Unlimited local texts and calls 100 SMS messages | $12 / 7 days |
| SIM Starter Kit 35 GB | 35 GB on 4G/LTE or 5G Unlimited local texts and calls 300 minutes to zone 1, 60 minutes to zone 2, and 5 minutes to zone 3 | $35 / 28 days |
| SIM Starter Kit 45 GB | 45 GB on 4G/LTE or 5G Unlimited local texts and calls 500 minutes to zone 1, 100 minutes to zone 2, and 10 minutes to zone 3 | $45 / 28 days |
Before using the Telstra prepaid mobile card, ensure your device is unlocked and roaming is enabled on your cell phone. Another key point is that this card includes 5G browsing speed whenever available, although this type of network is not 100% consolidated in the country.
Coverage of International Calls with Telstra Prepaid Card
In the case of this operator, it divides its minutes for international calls by coverage zones, specifically three zones. The coverage for each one are:
| Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
| Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, US Virgin Islands, Vietnam | Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Greece, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, France, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, Mongolia, Palestinian Authority, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Slovak Republic, Venezuela | Austria, Comoros, Croatia, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Ghana, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Surinam, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe |
Comparing Prepaid Cards for International Calls
Having assessed the array of prepaid cards offering international calls (both physical and virtual), it’s now time to contrast and choose the best alternative. And what could be more fitting than a review of the attributes of each option, empowering you to make an informed decision for your journey?
Plans and rates
- Holafly: offers eight plans providing unlimited calls and data, spanning from five to 90 days.
- Vodafone UK: Offers four data plans that include unlimited local calls and messages, all valid for 30 days.
- AT&T USA: features three plans, including GB and both domestic and international minutes, all valid for 30 days.
- Telstra Australia: Three plans with data, local calls and messages are available. Includes international calls without add-on.
International Calling Scope
- Holafly: Enjoy incoming calls from any country and make outbound calls across Europe, excluding Iceland, Norway, the UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey. Plus, ensure synchronization between your SIM card and contacts.
- Vodafone UK: You have to pay 5$ more to get 100 minutes to use in 8 days for calls to Europe.
- AT&T USA: you can call to Mexico and Canada, but for other destinations you must pay an add-on of 10$ for 250 minutes.
- Telstra Australia: Includes international calls in its plans but divides the minutes by coverage zones.
Bonus perks
- Holafly: Keep your WhatsApp number, receive the virtual prepaid card instantly, accessible for purchase anywhere, no binding contracts, option to top up plans, flexible rates, smooth buying, and utilization experience, and 24/7 customer support available in English.
- Vodafone UK: Easily buy and activate online various plans and rates, along with inclusive BONUS options that can be topped up with different services to enhance your plans.
- AT&T USA: Prepaid packages designed for diverse mobile needs and budgets, featuring inclusive roaming and coverage in Mexico and Canada.
- Telstra Australia: Customized plans tailored for travelers, providing purchase choices and online recharge options.
Which prepaid card is ideal for international calls?
To ensure you find the best prepaid card for international calls, it’s essential to research thoroughly and compare multiple options before deciding. In this post, we’ve compiled the most popular choices favored by travelers. This way, you can dig into the specifics and pick the card that aligns best with your travel needs and budget.
In our view, Holafly stands as the top choice for a prepaid mobile card with calls. Several factors contribute to this, such as affordability, user-friendliness, flexible rate options, and comprehensive local, regional, and international coverage, making it the most practical method for making calls or utilizing a data plan.
However, let’s leave it to the experiences of fellow travelers to share their stories with Holafly’s prepaid calling card. Here’s what they have to say…
“What a fantastic experience! Our daughter traveled to Europe and had taken another SIM card with her. After trying for 2 days to get it to work with no support from the supplier we contacted Holafly. After answering many, many, many, MANY questions for us we got our daughter all hooked up with data. Thank you SO very much Mateo!
Lisa Ponto, August 04, 2023, on trustpilot.com
FAQs about the prepaid calling card
How does an international calling prepaid mobile card operate?
The prepaid mobile card functions by using a SIM card inserted into your cellphone or through eSIM technology. Either option enables you to load up plans with the necessary services to communicate abroad.
What are the charges for international calls?
The cost varies based on your selected mobile operator or provider for your international calling plan. In general, per-minute rates are established for both outgoing and incoming calls, deducted from the value of your top-up.
Can I use the prepaid card for calls across different countries?
Holafly’s virtual prepaid card for Europe permits incoming calls from any country and outgoing calls within Europe, excluding Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey. For other options, please confirm with your chosen provider.
