When a child leaves the country to study abroad, it can be a nerve-racking
experience for the parents at home. A few of the many questions that parents
in this situation often ask themselves are, "How are we going to stay in
touch?" and "What can we do to make our child's experience safer and
easier?" PicCell Wireless has a solution.
We suggest that you consider the convenience of a wireless package from
PicCell Wireless. We have assembled the following information to help answer
frequently asked questions that parents may have regarding how our services
work and how to make them work the best for you and your loved ones.
Please review all information related to your mobile phone service including
calling rates, roaming rates, billing cycle, instructions for reporting
lost/stolen rental items, the terms and conditions of your contract,
additional fee schedules, etc.
1. Foreign cellular phone plans are different than plans in the US. You
do not have a bulk minute package; you are charged for individual calls,
text messages or other services based on your rate plan.
2. Share the information. Be sure that you and your child both know the
registered email address and password associated with your contracts. This
is the only way to assure that you and your child have complete access to
all of the important account and billing information.
3. During the first month, we recommend that your child use the phone
conservatively. See how much they have spent when you receive the first bill
and then budget accordingly. To keep your bills low, they should not use
their international phone as much as they would use a US phone.
4. Most calling packages offer free incoming calls* to your child's
international wireless number while they are in their home service area (the
country of the phone's service). To save money, have people call them. *See
rate plan for details.
5. US Virtual Number: The US Virtual Number gives you or other family
members the ability to contact your child without paying international
calling rates. Calls to their US Virtual Number are forwarded to their phone
abroad and the calls are charged by an incoming call rate and billed
separately. See rate plan for details.
6. Your child should never use calling cards from their PicCell
Wireless phone. They will be charged for the outgoing call from their mobile
phone in addition to the use of calling card minutes. To save on
international calls, calling cards can be used from land-line or pay phones.
7. Your child should be cautious when roaming outside of their home
service area. Roaming charges will apply to all outgoing and incoming phone
use. Roaming rates tend to be much higher and are determined by the foreign
provider the phone connects with, not PicCell Wireless
8. Immediately report lost/stolen phones (and/or SIM cards). Clients
are responsible for any fraudulent phone use until the phone is properly
reported and blocked! Lost/stolen reports can be made, on-line by logging
into the My PicCell account or by calling customer care. Sending an email or
leaving a voice message will not block lost/stolen phones. After blocking
the phone, it is wise to check email frequently to be sure a confirmation
from PicCell Wireless customer care has been received.
9. If you are planning to visit your child while they are studying
abroad, please remember that we also offer services for world travelers.
PicCell Wireless can furnish you with a wireless device to help stay in
touch while overseas, with a short term contract that is tailored to fit
your exact travel itinerary.
