whats the cheapest way to have a mobile overseas

eightpints

my parents are off to spain and portugal for 3 months, whats the best way for them to be able to recieve calls.
We've both got 3 mobiles with the 500 minutes pack, which if i call them it costs me nothing, but them 30p a minute, for them to call it's 80p a minute.

is there any way to best utilise the free minutes i.e a payg sim with no credit for them, so they can't be charged when i call using my free minutes, or will that just end up with the charges coming to me.

or anything else?

thefirs

For that time, a Spanish and/or Portuguese sim will be the best option. They can be obtained before departure, but are often cheaper abroad.

You'll have to study the best rate you can call them at, as the cheapest UK-to-overseas-mobile rates are normally in the order of 15p/min (see the international call checker). The Simply-fone access number available via X-net calls to 07744 974333 may allow onward calls to overseas mobiles, but some mobile operators have been reported as not allowing that number within inclusive minutes.

vangelic

Chick Lunchbox is right, a spanish sim will be your best bet

I was in india for 5 weeks, sending texts via the virgin network was 50p a shot, i got a indian sim, only 10 roupees per textwhich is about 1.5pence

brodev

moviestar and amena are both selling phones at about 60-70 euros that include 100 euros of credit. That should cover Spain. I don´t know about Portugal

eightpints

thanks for your help

rewilson

Hi - I am going to New Zealand for a month and wanted a NZ sim card. The only place I found where I could get one was https://www.Telestial.com in - don't laugh - San Diego. Have looked at their site and they offer a Spanish sim for US$69 with $30 credit. you will need an unlocked phone (most places charge £10 although if you've got a Seimens it's probably unlocked anyway). You may find a UK site for Spanish sims.

Have a look at: http://www.telestial.com/products/spain_sim.htm

You will of course be calling an international number from the UK which is 15p/min with https://www.18866.co.uk . Seems likely to be cheaper than using your mobile. And your parents pay nothing at all for inbound calls.

I can thoroughly recommend Telestial. Ordered the sim online on Sunday and it arrived the following Friday!

Cheers! Roger