What are sim cards and why are they important?

I am going to London for 6 months in January and I was told it would be easiest to switch to a company that has phones with sim cards (I now have verizon, and they don't) in order to keep my number and for things to be cheaper, etc. Is this true? What is the point of a sim card and why do I need one?

What are sim cards and why are they important?
A SIM card, or Subscriber Identity Module, is a portable memory chip used in some models of cellular telephones. The SIM card makes it easy to switch to a new phone by simply sliding the SIM out of the old phone and into the new one. The SIM holds personal identity information, cell phone number, phone book, text messages and other data. It can be thought of as a mini hard disk that automatically activates the phone into which it is inserted.





A SIM card provides an even bigger advantage for international travelers -- simply take your phone with you and buy a local SIM card with minutes. For example, a traveler from the U.S. staying in the U.K. can purchase a SIM card across the pond. Now the phone can be used to call throughout England without paying international roaming charges from the carrier back home.





A SIM card can come in very handy. For example, let's say your phone runs out of battery power at a friend's house. Assuming you both have SIM-based phones, you can remove the SIM card from your phone and slide it into your friend's phone to make your call. Your carrier processes the call as if it were made from your phone, so it won't count against your friend's minutes.





If you upgrade your phone there's no hassle involved. The SIM card is all you need. Just slide it into the new phone and you're good to go. You can even keep multiple phones for different purposes. An inexpensive phone in the glove compartment, for example, for emergency use, one phone for work and another for home. Just slide your SIM card into whatever phone you wish to use.





High-end cell phones can be very attractive and somewhat pricey. If you invest in an expensive phone you might want to keep it awhile. Using a SIM card, it is even possible to switch carriers and continue to use the same phone. The new carrier will simply issue you their own SIM card. The phone must be unlocked, however, and operate on the new carrier's frequency or band.
Reply:Malarkey.





Switching will cost you a $200 termination fee (although I believe Verizon prorates the cacellation fee...)





You should be able to contact Verizon and RENT a world-band phone to use in Europe. This way, you staw with the company you like, and don't have to play for cancellation, new activation and a new phone from a nother carrier.





Call your customer care number and ask abut International handsets. Or follow this link to information you will find useful.
Reply:sim cards keep all your info stored,,,


like if ur phone stops working or u want to switch phones with some 1 all u have to do is take out ur sim card %26amp;put it in the other phone...





im thinking about swithching to another service company seems easier.


good luck.!


london that awesome!