Contacting UK while working abroad...best options?

Jinx

Hubby has a new job working throughout EU, Middle East and Russia. We are a bit overwhelmed 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

Spank

So long as you've got a free internet connection Skype is free & available on most devices

BlueC

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

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

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

neilwoods

Could try a letter, may take longer but it works

Gunstar

Skype is definitely a good option. I use it everyday to speak to clients all over the world.

paddyrg

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