• MaxRoam Chips can NOT be called by a local Latvian number even if it assigned by Cubic Telecom Limited. Latvian phone companies block international dialing protocols that MaxRoam utilizes. We have tested the MaxRoam chip in Latvia.
• AirBaltic SIM chips require Estonia inbound number only.
• Other international calling SIM chips require expensive local calling techniques. Local Latvians will hesitate to dial international calls due to the high potential call costs and/or their phones may be blocked from dialing international calls.
• A local Latvian number operating on one of the Latvian GSM systems is the best alternative.
• FivePlus 5+ operates on the Bite network and has excellent call coverage on the major highway routes and major cities. Coverage is weak when traveling 5 km away from the major routes or cities.
• Tele2 has the weakest coverage of all Latvian networks and their call cost varies widely.
• LMT - O'Karte SIM chip has a higher than FivePlus call rate plan; but, their coverage is better throughout Latvia.
• Most USA GSM phone handsets are blocked from installing local GSM SIM chips. Contact your USA cell provider to unblock your phone before leaving the USA. This applies as well to other European providers that sell low cost handsets with their calling plans.
• SMS messages from USA to FivePlus phones in Latvia has been problematic. If SMS usage is important, we recommend the LMT O'Karte SIM chip alternative.
• Beware that call forwarding and voicemail costs for your home USA and European plans may be expensive when traveling. Check with your home providers before traveling.

Here is a drawing of       "The essential Riga"