Has anyone had experience with the Mobal travel phone? We're headed to Europe in August and I'm doing a little research on this. I don't have a smart phone and the Mobal travel phone might be my answer. It covers 190 countries and the US; need only 1 SIM card for all locations. They sell a phone/Sim card ($29 is the cheapest one they have - they have 2 other higher end phones for a little more). You may also just buy a SIM card. Pay only for the calls made - and pay minutes thru your credit card. Their website lists the cost for each country; example: Germany is $.99 minute within the country; $1.99 minute if calling outside of Germany. Incoming texts are free; outgoing texts are $.80 per message. Cellular data is .39/MB and the charge is per KB. You receive an international phone # and a US phone # for the phone. When the trip is finished, just store it away for the next trip; no charges, no connection or re-connection fee. They are endorsed by Frommers, Wall Street Journal, Time magazine. If anyone has any experience with the company, I'd appreciate hearing about it. My use for the phone in Europe will be minimal - we are meeting up with some friends and will have to contact each other just for meeting points. Thank you for your help.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2671 posts
Wow - that is expensive. It's hard to know what your bill would be without a better idea of your usage. If you do any data at all, just know that it adds up quickly - your post indicates you don't plan to use any. You could do the same thing, I think, by purchasing an inexpensive phone from TMobile and signing up with them. They do not have a contract period so you could just do one month, then close the plan, put the phone away, and store it for the next trip. While you're in Europe this year, text and data are free and unlimited. Calls are 20 per minute. If you use wi-fi calling, calls are free.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
We have taken Eurobuzz (now Mobal) dumb phones for our past two trips, using them just for calls to hotels/apartment owners and as backup in case we were ever separated. They are older, no-data models, cost us $50 for two. At 79¢ per minute for calls, our total cost for service under $5 per trip. We put our smartphones on vacation hold (no risk of running up charges by mistake while we use them as WiFi devices in the hotel, GPS using CityMaps2Go, or just as cameras... and our regular service charge goes down to $10/month for each phone.) Used email and Whatsapp to chat with the kids every few days.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
I have used both Mobal and their cheaper line, Eurobuzz, with no problems in several countries. Very clear connections, and I liked the post-paid aspect and the permanent phone number. Yes, there are cheaper options but for the minimal use you are planning, it won't matter much.
Posted by
Seattle, Washington
682 posts
No experience with a Mobal phone, but I use an iPhone with a Mobal plan and I consider it a great deal. I pay $29/month (no contract) and 20¢/minute for calls when I'm out of the US. I've had no problems whatsoever using it on several trips to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Posted by
8073 posts
The Mobal phone is excellent for basic use, especially in Britain, since the phone number is based there. If you don't call a lot it works well. We only used ours in Britain to call our hotel and rental car agency.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Are you sure your current phone won't work in Europe? For occasional or emergency use, the cost per minute will be about the same as Mobal, and you won't have the expense of buying new equipment, or the hassle of learning it.
Who is your current carrier, and what is your exact phone model?
If your current phone won't work in Europe, Mobal is fine for minimal use, and easy. If you're using the phone a lot, there are much cheaper options.
Posted by
OP
Colorado and Montana
2 posts
Thanks to everyone for your great information. I currently have a Tracfone (and not a smart one). While I can add international time to this phone, it only works with calling FROM the US. I called Tracfone and they don't offer any service from or within Europe on my phone. My use will be very minimal; only reason I have to get something is to coordinate meeting w/friends in Germany. So I think the Mobal or Eurobuzz will suffice. Thank you again to all for your input!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32318 posts
Mary K,
A TracPhone won't work in Europe, as it doesn't have the necessary frequency bands, so I can understand why you're considering a travel phone.
I've looked at Mobal in the past but they seem to be one of the most expensive of the travel phone firms. For occasional use and without data, their higher rates shouldn't be a problem. However you could also have a look at the travel phones / SIM's offered by iRoam, Cellular Abroad, Telestial, One SIM and Max Roam.
Posted by
Montreux, Switzerland
262 posts
You may want to look at Project Fi by Google. I have not used it yet but from what I've read, it looks very promising.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32318 posts
"You may want to look at Project Fi by Google."
"Project Fi" only works with a very small number of specific phones, and unless you have one of those models it's quite useless.
Posted by
Montreux, Switzerland
262 posts
Ken - you are correct, Project Fi does require specific telephones. However, if after considering all of the costs when looking at other options and carriers, one of these could be a worthwhile purchase.