International calling plan?

What would be the best route for my daughter who will be going abroad to Europe for about 20 days.  I want her to have the ability to call home as often as she likes.  We currently have the Family Talk Plan but international roaming charges averages about $1.29 per minute.  

Unfortunately, this service is only good for making international calls from North America. She should check ebay for "international sim cards", but her phone must be unlocked. If not, she can use calling cards from Europe.

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@Koko23 wrote:

Unfortunately, this service is only good for making international calls from North America. She should check ebay for "international sim cards", but her phone must be unlocked. If not, she can use calling cards from Europe.

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That is not accurate as written.  Most AT&T phones will work outstandingly well all over the world.  The cost is another issue.  The best you can hope for with at&t is to add the world traveler discount plan which is $5.99 per month on the months when you need it.  That will bring the cost down to $0.99 in most EU countries.

1. Confirm her phone will work in France and that it is not an iPhone;
2. Unlock the phone by calling Customer Support requesting the unlock codes (telling them that it is to use the phone in France);
3. Hire a SIM from:
4. http://www.rebelfone.com/france_simcards.aspx?couId=60
5. Sign up for a calling card through http://www.rebtel.com/en/Cheap-Calls/France/ (no relation to rebelfone).
6. Have your daughter send you a text message (or call you) and immediately call her back.

Try rebtel.com it's dirt cheap. It supports SMS. No connection fee, no VAT. Straightforward charges. 

Skype is usually best way to go on international calls from  US.  But instead of roaming you should probably rent a local SIM card if you're going abroad more than a couple days.  I regularly use Piccell wireless and find it the best way to go.

Okay.  Number 1 is already a snag.  What's with the not being an iPhone issue?

FYI: Military members if your spouse is stationed overseas don't allow them to call you because ATT charges you international rates for incoming calls not just outgoing....that's their policy. I am about to cancel my plan being a military member with a family because basically you are telling me I can't have my husband call me without me having a ridiculous phone bill....thanks for supporting our troops ATT!!!

When I posted my post in 2010, ATT would not unlock an iPhone -- hence my comments about not using an iPhone.