It still surprises me that teams let this one slip: if you’re running a field study – remove a simple barrier to communication by buying all team members local SIM cards, have an assistant pre-load the necessary phone numbers and make it part of the welcome pack when you arrive. If you’re expecting a local to call and international number its not going to happen.
In Afghanistan an iPhone leeching WiFi from the guesthouse will last about a day.
The Nokia 1110 lasts closer to two weeks.
Don’t leave home without it.