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Contacting UK while working abroad...best options?

Options
Jinx
Jinx Posts: 1,766 Forumite
Debt-free and Proud!
Hubby has a new job working throughout EU, Middle East and Russia. We are a bit overwhelmed :o by all the info re phones, tablets, laptops etc and looking for a cost effective way to keep in touch such as skype/that type of app or just calls.

Mobile phone shops have said their packages dont match our needs as the contracts arent great for phoning back to the UK and advise a sim card for each country.

There must be loads of people who travel and contact back to the UK to keep in touch, any advice?

Thanks
Jinx
Light Bulb Moment - 11th Nov 2004 - Debt Free Day - 25th Mar 2011 :j

Comments

  • Spank
    Spank Posts: 1,751 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    So long as you've got a free internet connection Skype is free & available on most devices
  • BlueC
    BlueC Posts: 734 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Get free wifi from hotel/coffee shop/bar wherever and use skype (on phone, tablet, or laptop) for talking and video chat totally free, and use "what's app" (on phone) for sending/receiving messages (similar to texting but better).
  • harleq1962
    harleq1962 Posts: 241 Forumite
    http://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/

    a friend of mine is friendly with a guy from asia and he swears by this to keep in touch with family , might be worth a look for emergencies .
  • Jinx
    Jinx Posts: 1,766 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Thanks all, no sooooooo out of touch as I thought then, we've used Skype in the past. Looks like he just needs a new phone then - thank you all for your posts :)
    Light Bulb Moment - 11th Nov 2004 - Debt Free Day - 25th Mar 2011 :j
  • neilwoods
    neilwoods Posts: 2,304 Forumite
    Could try a letter, may take longer but it works
    Mansion TV. Avoid at all cost's :j
  • Gunstar
    Gunstar Posts: 109 Forumite
    Skype is definitely a good option. I use it everyday to speak to clients all over the world.
  • paddyrg
    paddyrg Posts: 13,543 Forumite
    Skype and voip isn't reliable in some middle East countries, it is routinely blocked or crippled by the networks, especially in countries with lousy human rights records or state/royal owned telecoms monopolies. You might find for instance that you can't video call or can't download the software, although audio calling is more successful from experience

    You can also use touchnote as a nice way to send people postcards of what you can see - can work or fair value compared with finding stamps and post offices! More reliable than some middle eastern postal systems too ;)

    Have a look at pdqit as a way to send letters to friends, it looks a bit formal but is super cheap and fast compared with airmail
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