SIM card registration in Nigeria has been an area of contention as many people have simply ignored a 2002 law requiring registration. However, the issue keeps coming up due to an increase in violent crime and kidnapping within the country where the criminals demand a ransom via unregistered mobile phones which therefore cannot be traced.

For this reason, the National Assembly has passed a N6 billion proposal that would seek to expand SIM card registration by NCC within the country. The government has also recently required all mobile carriers to document certain information about new subscribers in an effort to combat crime. Some service providers, like MTN and ECONET, had previously required registration of SIM cards but ended up dropping the requirement as it cost them too much business to competitors.

A new GoPhone pre paid calling plan from AT&T offers unlimited talk, Web and text for a flat rate of $50 a month. This includes unlimited text messages and instant message to Canada, Mexico and over 100 other countries included with the deal.

The new plan will be available beginning June 26, and it will apply to all messaging phones like the Pantech P7040p. This phone will launch in conjunction with the new plan. There will also be a $50 per month plan offered to smartphone users. This plan differs in that it only includes unlimited text and talk. For users who want to add data, they must add another plan from a choice of 3 options ranging in price from $5 for a 10 MB plan up to $25 for a 500 MB plan.

When you will be spending a significant period of time overseas, it can make sense to purchase a pre paid SIM Card to text for cheap to the US. An unlocked GSM phone purchased in the destination country with a pre paid SIM card, which can be a good option.

It's possible, for example, to purchase an unlocked iPhone in the US and get a SIM card overseas. While this option is more expensive, it still beats the exorbitant rates charged by international plans from carriers like AT&T and Verizon. It's also possible to buy an unlocked Sidekick 4G and use a pre paid T-Mobile 4G SIM card in it. However, it's not necessary to go with a Sidekick if you are looking for a T-Mobile phone with a keyboard because there are several other options as well.