Instant SIM for travellers to USA

A new solution for travellers wanting to avoid high roaming costs has been launched. The ZIP SIM is quickly activated and doesn’t incur any sign-up or contract fees.

Another solution for travellers trying to avoid exorbitant roaming rates has been launched in the USA by Otono, an emerging global technology-based telecommunications company. Initially called Ready SIM, the product has been rebranded as ZIP SIM to focus on its ease of self-activation: the customer simply inserts the SIM, sends a text message to 7850 with a local US zip code, and the SIM is instantly activated and assigned a local phone number.

There is never a need to activate the service through a dealer, website, or customer service representative. ZIP SIM offers the ability to change phone numbers twice after initial activation, as well as an enhanced focus on convenience and privacy.

Aimed mainly at companies sending employees to visit offices in the USA, as well as business travelers and vacationers,  ZIP SIM has also seen a surge in use by younger customers (between the ages of 18-35) who are expressing a growing concern with privacy and those without credit.

Other new ZIP SIM users include mobile work teams, emergency responders, law enforcement, political campaign offices, press, military personnel, and web and app developers. The company is also partnering with members of the travel industry, including hotel, airline, and taxi and limousine companies who wish to provide their guests and customers with instant access to reliable cellular service on arrival in the USA.

“Both corporations and individuals alike initially flocked to Ready SIM for the ease of activation, but were surprised and excited by the security and privacy included,” said Oren Chervinsky, VP Global Sales & Marketing for Otono. “As such, we will continue to put customer privacy at the core of our business while being 100% compliant with government regulations for the wireless industry,”

“ZIP SIM is different. We knew there was demand for short-term service — just a little talk, text, and data for a couple weeks or a few days. Our self-activation technology also made it incredibly easy for customers to start their plans. Nobody wants to find a local mall with a cell phone kiosk and sit down with some sales rep to activate. The answer was to preload each SIM card with one of our plans, have that plan start right after the SIM is inserted and the customer texts a ZIP code.”

The ZIP SIM website, zipsim.us, will be available to place orders for ZIP SIM cards and purchase of long distance add-ons or top-ups.