Insane Rates for AT&T Cell Phone Calls In Romania!

Well I'm getting ready for my trip to Romania on Friday. I figured I would check on the per-minute rates for calls. Can you believe it's $3.49/minute to send and receive calls? Well obviously, that's just not going to work, so I had to come up with a 'plan-b'. The first thing I needed to do was to get the unlock code for my phone. I had heard horror stories from others trying to do this so I was ready for a fight. None needed! I just called customer service and asked for the subsidy unlock code and about 5 minutes later I had an unlocked AT&T phone that will except any SIM card. Step 1 completed!

Next, what service should I use when I am in Romania? I had heard of other people purchasing a SIM card in the airport to use. I bought a international SIM card several years ago from GoSim.com but never used it because my data plan didn't work (and still doesn't). My GoSIM card has an Estonian phone number. Not sure why, but it does... Step 2 done.

Next step How can I have people get in touch with me without having to dial Estonia to do it??? I was going to try using it with a skypein number relay calls to my European cell number, but my tests were less then impressive with both sound quality and reliability of the call being delivered. But good news! -- It turns out that GoSIM has gateway numbers for $0.35/minute people here in the states can call a toll free number and have it ring my international cell phone. Many countries have free incoming calls, Romania isn't one of them, they have a $0.10/min charge for in-coming calls. Not bad. So for $0.45/min I can receive calls anywhere in Romania and people here just have to dial a toll free number and then enter my new cell number. Three easy steps :)

I tried it and it seems to work like a charm! I put $50 on my card so that should last me the trip as long as I don't spend tons of time on the phone with work! :-) Off to the land of Dracula!

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
This Joss Whedon video staring Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser) is fantastic. It reminds me of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer musical episode. Check it out and let me know what you think :)

Mike Nork Featured in the University of Connecticut Alumni Magazine


I'm proud of my brother Mike. He has been in the Peace Corps for over a year now.
My Mom, oldest son and I are going to visit him next week. Meeting in Budapest and then taking a train over to Romania.