Using phone in Spain - cheapest?

Cactus_Jack

I have an O2 phone (300 free texts package, although I barely have any left and my anniversary date is only after I get back) and an Orange contract. I also have a Vodafone simcard.

I want to stay in contact with someone in the UK (who is on Orange, but has O2 sim cards, and a vodafone sim card) whilst I am in Spain. Our primary communicaiton will be texting.

I'm just wondering the cheapest way to go about this? I want to spend around £10 on topping up. I have Orange PAYG sim cards - could I get their 300 free texts and use these from abroad?

What are the costs of texting/calling from abroad and will the person I want to stay in contact with be able to use their free text allowance on Orange PAYG to text me for free?

I read Martin's guide but I'm more interested in texting really.

Thanks for any help

redux

Texts usually cost quite a bit abroad, like 30 or 40p, but I believe the inclusive O2 ones can be used at 4 for 1 (certainly true for contract, payg might need checking), so £10 would get you 75. If it doesn't fit in with the anniversary date on your SIM, then could you use another?

Someone in UK texting/calling a UK phone pays the same wherever the other phone is. Texts are free to receive abroad.

For calling, the Vodafone SIMs would be useful. Register the one going abroad for Passport, and the one in UK for Stop-the-clock. Make sure the phone in Spain rlogs in to the Vodafone network or do it manually. Then the UK one calls the other for 15p off-peak for up to an hour, and the other one is 75p for the same. From Spain would be 75p connect and 5p/min off-peak

seven-day-weekend

I have an Orange PAYG which I use in Spain (occasionally).

It costs 40p to send a text message but receiving one is free.

Cactus_Jack

Thank you for the replies so far - I will certainly look into the Vodafone suggestions. I forgot to mention, I have a contract with Orange that gives me 1000 off peak minutes per month to Orange mobiles and landlines. Would this be any use to me whilst abroad?

espresso

Orange will give you £3 credit on PAYG and £5 credit on contract to use while abroad if you haven't claimed this on your numbers before.

HTH

See here to try Calling from abroad.

redux

Inclusive minutes are not used abroad; roaming charges apply.

If it is likely to be a small amount, the Orange offer espresso mentions is useful. For more use either the Vodafone Passport idea, or look into Spanish or global roaming SIM cards

Cactus_Jack

The free £5 from Orange is a good deal. Is there any way I can get this deal without calling into a stockist? The website says this is how to get it. I may try ringing them tomorrow. Does anyone know how much a text from an O2 phone is from Spain (UK mobile) to a UK mobile?

espresso

Cactus_Jack wrote:

The free £5 from Orange is a good deal. Is there any way I can get this deal without calling into a stockist? The website says this is how to get it. I may try ringing them tomorrow. Does anyone know how much a text from an O2 phone is from Spain (UK mobile) to a UK mobile?

I have never been into an Orange stockist and have simply rang customer services to get these TRY offers. Usually these last for thirty days, so don't get it enabled too soon. You should receive a text informing you of the offer when it has been activated.

According to this webpage an O2 text from Spain will cost you 49p, although check that it apples to your tariff.

MinervaUK_2

Hi,

To help provide a clearer guide to Vodafone Passport and roaming, Vodafone have performed a complete revamp on the overseas section of their UK website. This is a very useful link to use before going abroad, or if you have any interest in adding Vodafone Passport:

http://www.abroad.vodafone.co.uk/index.cfm?do=cost.passport&me=a2&nu=1&le=2

Hope this gives people a little more information if they didn’t already have it before.

Tedrick_2

I'll let you lot into a little secret....

O2 have not yet come to an agreement over prices for MMS whilst roaming in Spain, as a result, all MMS are free...

So send any sms by using the Multimedia message tool and enter your message into the text field (usually upto 1200 charachters) for free!!!

The person you are sending to must be able to receive MMS