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pre-paid cell options


BobsCreek

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is there such a thing that isnt completely useless for SA/Bot/Zim? thanks

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Peter Connan

Here in SA, all the service providers sell "pay as you go" contracts, which one can then pre-charge with however much air-time as is required. However, one needs to provide proof of address, which for a tourist would be difficult.

 

Note that this only applies to the sim-card itself, the actual air-time or data can even be purchased over the phone.

 

Reception is what it is, pretty good in built-up areas but sometimes patchy in rural areas.

I believe the same is possible in Bots, but I have no idea about Zim.

Edited by Peter Connan
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Another option is to buy an inexpensive cell phone that works in all countries. I did this a couple of years ago. The phone itself was inexpensive ($40) and it was marketed as being able to work in 190+ countries. (I've used it in six or seven including Zambia, S. Africa and Kenya.) I don't remember the exact rate, but the charge per minute was not cheep. This is a good option if you want a travel phone to use for emergencies (as opposed to calling home every night).

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thanks!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Here in SA, all the service providers sell "pay as you go" contracts, which one can then pre-charge with however much air-time as is required. However, one needs to provide proof of address, which for a tourist would be difficult.

 

Note that this only applies to the sim-card itself, the actual air-time or data can even be purchased over the phone.

 

Reception is what it is, pretty good in built-up areas but sometimes patchy in rural areas.

I believe the same is possible in Bots, but I have no idea about Zim.

 

that might the theory but we have been going to South Africa for ten years now and never ever had a problem obtaining pre-paid SIM Cards - might be wiser, though to buy at one of the int'l airports where they are used to selling them to tourists without permanent addresses

 

in Maun (two years ago) our guide stopped at a "road side shack" to buy a local pre paid SIM card

Edited by ice
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We carry an unlocked cell phone purchased in UK for £20. Its easy to buy Sim cards anywhere in Africa and if they ask for an address just give the last accommodation/campsite or even the airport hotel you stayed in on arrival. They just need an address. We found they work most places near a town but once out in the wilds like Moremi Botswana or Kgalagadi TP in South Africa the coverage is very limited. We usually get a signal near the check in office. Pen

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