using orange sim abroad?

rabialiones

i need some help/advice.
have to go abroad for couple of weeks, wondered if i could use my phone abroad, (inclusive mins)?
or whether it would involve additional costs.

redux

It doesn't use the inclusive minutes. Call charges are fairly high when roaming, from 30p/min for incoming calls and 70p/min for outgoing (a bit less for Ireland and Channel Is.).
http://www2.orange.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=PersonalIR&c=OUKPage&cid=1122896675712

If you'll make more than a couple of calls, it will nearly always be cheaper to get your phone unlocked and use a foreign SIM card. Find details of networks, tariffs, links to network sites and coverage at

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/operators.html and
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

Outgoing international calls can still be relatively costly on some networks, so it is also worth looking into calling cards or callback services.

If you'll be visiting several countries, then there are various international SIMs with free incoming calls in many countries, and calls from 14 to 28p at their cheapest tariffs, although this can be made cheaper.

People can call you using cheap calls operators in the MSE Callchecker, or some places are available via the various 07744 callthrough providers from some networks inclusive minutes.

mancitychick

Could you not buy a local PAYG sim when you get there and text the number to whoever needs it. Then they will be paying to call you and it will cut down on people calling you unless they really need to. Last thing you want is to answer your UK mobile abroad and it be a Sales call or your dentist etc..... Then you get ripped off, I mean charged :-) roaming costs.

If you must take your phone I know orange used to sell international calling minutes in blocks so you get a slight discount - bit like text message bundles. Not sure if they still do this though.

redux

Those international call bundles are for calling abroad from here - you get 20% extra.

If you'll hardly use the phone, then ask Orange about the Try bundle which will give you £5 worth of free roaming, but this is only 4 minutes worth in some places - better for texts though.

jon_r_2

i made enquires before going to Lanzarote last year the Carphone Warehouse FRESH p.a.y.g.tariff was by far the cheapest tariff (they route through local networks,had no problem at all, unlike here where t mobile can have reduced coverage)

redux

jon_r wrote:

i made enquires before going to Lanzarote last year the Carphone Warehouse FRESH p.a.y.g.tariff was by far the cheapest tariff (they route through local networks,had no problem at all, unlike here where t mobile can have reduced coverage)

Please point to where Fresh roaming tariffs are published.

*!*HIBS*!*

They might have changed their tariffs since last year. Ask again and get it in writing (by letter or email) if possible, as you will have some evidence to use if they don't become helpful.

redux

You mean the Fresh roaming tariff? They didn't have roaming before, and the tariff doesn't seem to be published. I rather doubt that it is much cheaper than T-mobile roaming though, as Virgin is similar. And it certainly will not be cheaper than a Spanish SIM on favourite number tariffs via a calling card - from 3p to 9p a minute.