The tips below are general tips that may not all apply to your particular situation.

• As much as possible, avoid linking your identity to your phone number. Buy prepaid SIM cards, if at all possible avoid registering the SIM in your name, and buy a cheap, low-tech phone that you don’t mind throwing out if necessary. More suggestions are in this guide.

• Take your battery out of your phone during and when travelling to and from group meetings to avoid cell phone triangulation and location tracking.

• Avoid sending text messages with sensitive information, or use mobile Internet-based messaging with encryption instead.

• Note strange behaviour like SMS non-delivery or frequently dropped calls. If necessary, change your SIM card.

• If you have a smartphone, consider using an encrypted Voice Over IP(VOIP) application for your phone calls. VOIP is used by Internet phone services like Skype and Google Voice.

• Always try to have an alternative if you are unable to access one or more services or the entire network. Carry SIM cards for other mobile network operators, and if possible, carry more than one phone. Have a backup meeting place agreed ahead of time if you suspect your specific line or the entire mobile service may be disrupted.

• Lastly, avoid giving out your actual mobile phone number at all costs, including putting it on fliers or press releases. If you need to publish a phone number, use Skype In, Google Voice, or purchase an inexpensive voicemail-only number.  For example, Skype Online Numbers can be purchased from Skype: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/online-number/ You get a public number, and then it can forward on to your mobile phone. The cost for this is $18 USD for three months.