sim card

I've been using this as a resource while we travel and it's proved helpful in each country we visit: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Indonesia

Best of luck!

ben

Hello, @sauna12! There are two leading network service providers – Globe and Smart. Both are good and offer special promotions for travelers. The SIM cards are cheap, ranging from ₱20 - ₱40 (but may vary depending on several factors). Normally if you buy SIM cards from the airports the network staff could already assist you setting it up. You could choose either Prepaid or Postpaid plans.

Prepaid Plans:
Globe: www.globe.com.ph/allnet
Smart: www.smart.com.ph/Prepaid/packages/type/all

Postpaid Plans:
Globe: www.globe.com.ph/postpaid
Smart: www.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/plans

They also offer free traveler SIM Cards:
Globe: www.globe.com.ph/international/traveling-in-the-philippines/traveler-sim
Smart: No offer as of the moment

Other networks are TM (a subsidiary of Globe) and Sun Cellular which offers cheaper promos. You could check them out. The speed of connection is location dependent, so expect a weakening of signals in some areas especially in the Visayas region. As far as I know the usual cost of an international long-distance call is $0.40 per minute and local calls range from ₱6.50 per minute and above for prepaid calls. Let me know what else I could help. Cheers!

they haven't said anything about whether they want to use a phone for internet.

SUN is the cheapest network with which to send international texts, they are 10 pesos each and sometimes they can be as low as 5 pesos each. With SMART and GLOBE, they are 15 pesos each. It doesn't cost the receiver anything when they get them. SUN have cheaper international calls too, I use a SUN SIM exclusively to text and to call overseas.

Philippines prepaid sim cards are quite expensive for international calls when compared to neighbouring countries. So, if you have a smartphone you should use free 'messaging' apps like WhatsApp wherever you can access wifi etc. assuming both parties are set up for it.
The international calls will not cost the person who is receiving the call. Globe and Smart are the main mobile operators but Sun may well be cheaper.
You should be able to buy Sim cards anywhere.

wow! thank you all…. i need to digest all this information and may have more questions

at airports, SIM's cost 100. In normal stores they are between 30-50. And staff at 7/11s will help buyers insert SIM's into their phones if they need help that way and show them how to load up with credit and so on.

if you want to set up internet data service for your phone and get on a GLOBE SUPERSURF type promo straight away, staff at the airports will come in handy there, but for a 'normal' phone service which is what it sounds like this guy wants, he might as well go to any 7/11 type convenience store.

Agree with the comment above! Maybe your next step would be asking someone who's in PP right now so he can give you more accurate advice upon choosing the right network in that area. Also, expect a huge volume of tourists when you reach PP that time. Do update us on your trip so we could help you. Cheers!

@rohitgarg4411 I think I have already said the same, exact words.

yes, i probably want internet data service….i really do not know what i want…. i want to be able to contact or be able to be contacted by my kids in the states, and make guesthouse reservations possibly (tho i have always just "found" them before) it would be nice to have internet, yes….seems from what i have read Globe is mentioned often on Palawan….