Uncapped mobile data while roaming
KnowRoaming, a mobile operator aimed at providing affordable pre-paid services to the international roaming market, launched its “smart sticker” SIMs in South Africa towards the end of 2014 without much fanfare.
It is available exclusively through iStore for R399, and gives travellers the ability to switch to a network that offers cheaper roaming rates without needing to swap SIMs.
Instead of using a separate SIM, KnowRoaming provides a “sticker” – a chip that sits on top your normal SIM – creating a virtual dual-SIM.
You are able to manually switch between your home network and the KnowRoaming SIM, or you can configure it so it automatically switches between networks as you move from country to country.
KnowRoaming uses a smartphone application which tracks your balance and usage history, and allows you to recharge and buy an uncapped data bundle.
The supported platforms are Android 4.0+ devices, iPhone 4S and newer, Windows Phones, and iPads. Network-locked, CDMA, and BlackBerry devices are not supported.
KnowRoaming applicator kit
Pricing
While on KnowRoaming you can also subscribe to the ReachMe service, which lets you receive calls to your SA cellphone number while paying KnowRoaming’s roaming rates.
This requires call forwarding support on your home network, as KnowRoaming forwards calls from your number to one of its local numbers.
Calls you make also look like they’re coming from your home network’s number.
In South Africa, ReachMe costs $4.50 per month, but KnowRoaming says the price varies between $0 and $12 depending on your home country. You can unsubscribe from ReachMe when you’re not travelling.
It is also possible to buy additional forwarding numbers from KnowRoaming so callers in the country you’re visiting don’t have to call “long distance”.
KnowRoaming also offers cheaper data rates compared to traditional roaming prices.
You can buy an unlimited data package for $7.99 per day, or use data ad-hoc at a rate of $0.15 per Megabyte.
KnowRoaming Android app screenshots
South African co-founder
Based in Toronto, KnowRoaming was co-founded and is headed up by South African Gregory Gundelfinger.
Gundelfinger founded the company after discussing starting a technology company with his cousin who had moved to Canada to study engineering. Gundelfinger’s cousin had a team of engineers that could join the project immediately.
Another reason KnowRoaming decided to incorporate in Canada was because the government gives significant tax incentives for research and development.
“It definitely wasn’t for the weather,” Gundelfinger joked. “Up to 70% of your payroll expense is subsidised by the Canadian government.”
How does KnowRoaming work?
Simply put, it is a tiny, flexible circuit board that is attached to your home SIM with an adhesive.
KnowRoaming is a fully fledged regional mobile network in the United States that is subject to the FCC, and is a full member of the GSMA.
“So we’re a network just like Vodacom or MTN,” Gundelfinger said. This enables KnowRoaming to negotiate roaming agreements with other networks around the world.
“Think of the GSMA as the UN. Once you have a seat at the UN, you can make treaties with other countries.”
He said they persuaded networks to make roaming deals with KnowRoaming thanks to the increased competition in the roaming space – similar to the competition between operators for subscribers and mobile traffic in local markets.
“When [networks] reach an agreement with us, we are saying that we are going to send them traffic that they might not otherwise receive because of the competitive environment.”
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