News

Buzzroam cuts roaming rates by 80 percent

29 Sep 2009

An innovative GSM Sim card technology, promising frequent travellers lower overseas phone rates, is now available in Asia-Pacific.

Global Roaming Solutions, the provider of the technology in Asia, recently started operations in Hongkong, launching its online storefront at www.buzzroam.com

The company offers Buzzroam SIM cards, each loaded with an international number to which travellers can forward their existing mobile numbers, saving up to 80 percent in roaming calls.

"International firms can make significant savings on their bottom line," said Stuart Cloete, managing director of Global Roaming Solutions. "The average business user roaming abroad for three to four days could easily spend over HK$1,000 (US$129). With Buzzroam, that could be reduced to as little as HK$120 (US$15)."

  • The "Start Buzzing Package" costs US$25, which includes a free US$10 calling credit. The SIM card works on all phones made in the last four years.
  • Users activate their SIM card through the Buzzroam website. They create an online account through which they can also buy airtime to top up their SIM card using credit card or Paypal. Buzzroam SIM cards have no expiry date so travellers can keep them for use in other overseas trips.
  • The SIM can also keep up to four mobile phone numbers, enabling travellers to have a local contact number in their destination that they can furnish local business partners and customers. Buzzroam has a supply of local numbers from more than 50 countries, including major Asia-Pacific cities such as Australia, China, Hongkong, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore.
  • Travellers can choose a local mobile number from the Buzzroam website and assign it to their SIM card. The number is activated within 30 minutes. Getting a local number costs US$4 and is valid for one month.


"The benefit of being able to assign a local number to your card is that your callers can pay local rates and you are able to forward your own mobile number to the local number – meaning you never pay international roaming rates while using your own mobile number," Cloete told Business Traveller.

Global Roaming Solutions is looking at teaming up with convenience and retail stores in Hongkong to distribute Buzzroam cards. For now, travellers in the region can buy the SIM card online. Estimated delivery time is two working days within Hongkong and approximately five working days to other Asian countries. Japan and South Korea use WCDMA 2100 systems and therefore need to have a phone compatible with that system for the SIM card to work.

For details, visit www.buzzroam.com

Gigi Onag


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