Top telecommunication companies now offer roaming services to Filipinos who needs to go abroad either for employment or travel. These services makes call and text rates more affordable but for users to enjoy this service, they still need to activate their existing SIM cards.

However for those who do not want to be bothered by the registration requirement, Globe and Smart has a solution to this small predicament. The said telcos both offer roaming SIM cards that are ready to use overseas.

Check the features of Smart Pinoy Roaming SIM and Globe OFW SIM Pack that are especially designed to suit the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Both SIM cards are pre-activated for international roaming so users need not do any activation procedure.

SMART Pinoy Roaming SIM

• Only P20.00 per message sent to the Philippines
• Can receive texts from the Philippines even with zero maintaining balance
• With Prepaid Voice Roaming that is available in select countries.

Activation and Deactivation Process

To disable the service, just text “ROAM OFF” and send to 333 in order to use the SIM in the Philippines.

To activate your voice roaming service, just text ROAM ON < country of destination> and sending to 333 one hour before leaving the country.

How to Load?

A. ONLINE RELOAD

You can now purchase SMART Load from any accredited online SMART Load Dealers using your credit card:

1. Plug ‘N Talk E-load Dealer

Just click on the “E-load “ tab found on your Plug ‘N Talk softphone and you have instant access to our online SMART Load dealer in your part of the world.

2. PLDT Online

Click “Online Store” tab in your Plug ‘N Talk softphone, or visit http://www.pldtonline.com.

3. OksPinoy

OksPinoy provides one of the cheapest, fastest and most reliable mobile prepaid load services on the Internet.

Visit http://www.plugntalkload.com.

B. ELECTRONIC LOAD

The world’s first electronic prepaid load that lets you text and call for as low as P30.

SMART roaming subscribers can ask their relatives in the Philippines to load their SIM by visiting SMART load outlets nationwide. Likewise, e-load is available at SMART-accredited distributors abroad.

Available load denomination: Econo (30), Regular (60), Extra (115) and SMART Load (200)

C. CALL AND TEXT CARD/E-PIN VOUCHERS

Call & Text cards and electronic PIN vouchers are available in P100, P300 and P500 denominations.

SMART roaming subscribers can load their SIM via call and text cards in 2 ways:

* While roaming abroad, text RELOAD space and send to 1510.

Ex: Text RELOAD 1000100223344 and send to 1510

* To reload a roaming SIM using a Call and Text Card, subscriber must have at least P20 load.

* Your relatives in the Philippines can buy Call & Text cards for you. They should then text LOAD space < PIN> space < B# or SMART # abroad) and send to 1510.

Ex: Text LOAD 1000100223344 09182211333 and send to 1510

* To load using SMART Call & Text card or E-PIN vouchers abroad, subscriber should have a P20.00 maintaining balance. P20.00 roaming charge per transaction shall apply.

D. PASALOAD

The world’s first service that allows your friends and relatives in the Philippines to send load for as low as P2.00 from their SMART cellphones.

* To send load to your roaming SIM, they just have to text < your roaming sim#> space < amount> and send to 808.

* Ex: Text 09182211333 2 send to 808

Available PASALOAD denominations: P2, P5, P10, P15, P20, P30, P60

SMART Pinoy Presyong Pinoy Roaming Text

Text from Overseas to the Philippines FOR ONLY P10!

How To Check Your Balance:

   1. Dial *133# to show the Menu.

   2. Press "Answer" then type "2" and send.

Globe OFW SIM Pack

• With pre-activated roaming service
• No minimum balance requirement 
• With the FAMILY SIM, the rate for SMS is only Php1 per message
• With special promo IDD and ISMS rates
• Free calls to DOLE, POEA and OWWA

Click the following link for more details and to purchase Globe OFW Family Pack:

http://www.globe.com.ph/ofw-families-in-the-philippines

Tips: Choose the SIM card that is used by majority of your family members. The call and text rates may not only be cheaper; your kin in the Philippines can also take advantage of unlimited text or call offers.

You can also inquire with the telcos if their roaming services are available in the country where you are headed. There may also be load requirements so the service will not expire.

Once an OFW is back in the Philippines, the roaming service should b turned off to avoid unnecessary charges. Please inquire with the telcos the deactivation procedure.