International Roaming - Cheapest Option

cmorgan

After being stung a couple of times (big style) using my mobile abroad. I was wondering what the cheapest option was for using a mobile abroad. I have seen the following link mentioned on this website a couple of times;


http://www.oneroam.co.uk/sim-cards.aspx?m=2&mi=17

Is this the cheapest / most convenient option?

Any advice welcomed.

marjorie_2

tried it & quality very poor.

marjorie_2

sorry should have mentioned -- ws in Spain

cmorgan

Thanks for your reply Marjorie. Presumably you mean quality was poor in terms of reception / coverage? If so is this down to oneroam or the network they are utilising (ie would you have got the poor reception with any sim or is it the way that oneroam selects the network provider?)? If Oneroam is not up to much what are the alternatives?

The trouble is no matter how much we say we are only going to use the mobile for emergency use only we always seem to end up using it and face the huge bill when we get back.

grumbler

cmorgan wrote:

Is this the cheapest / most convenient option?

I think the cheapest option is to buy some local PAYG simcard. Not sure that this is the most convenient option.

pin

Like Grumbler has said best option would be to make sure your phone is unlocked and get a local simcard.

Other option (but probably not so convenient) is not to use your mobile for calls and make calls using a calling card at a payphone.

O2 do something called International Traveller Service, which you get free on tariffs over £30 (I think). Rates are as follows on the link (go towards the bottom of the page): http://www.o2.co.uk/personal/abroad/prices/callingwhileabroad/0,,133,00.html

andy88_2

2 possibilities - use a callback service with a foreign SIM

or - some countries SIMs have free 0800 or equiv - use calling card

cmorgan which country or countries ?

marjorie what quality problems ?

cmorgan

Spain in the Summer, St Martins (Dutch Antilles) in the winter:D

andy88_2

There are some other threads about Spain - use Search function above

Maybe Amena with their own calling card and free 900 number

gundo

grumbler wrote:

I think the cheapest option is to buy some local PAYG simcard. Not sure that this is the most convenient option.

Agreed.

I did this in Thailand and it was very cheap way of receiving calls and sending texts. The SIM only cost £7 and that came with £5 worth of calls.

cmorgan

Thanks one and all for your advice. I think on balance I will forget Oneroam as they do not cover St Martins for my winter holiday so is not worthwhile for me. I think I will try and investigate buying a local sim next time I go on holiday and see how that works out. Many thanks.