Mobile Roaming: Cheapest Calls When You're Abroad

redux

You can find it on eBay, or the same seller also has a website.

I forgot other possibilities

Meteor from Ireland, 50 MB for 99 cents a day. Same price less data, but that doesn't matter if you don't use that much.

Or Alditalk and Lidl Mobile both from Germany each have 150 MB for a week for €4.99

To save data usage, switch off automatic application updates, lengthen email and other message apps synchronisation interval or only do it manually, and use a browser which compresses data usage, perhaps with images off when not needed.

Quaint1

I'm planning to visit the US later this year and, rather than bring my old PAYG mobile with me, I'm toying with the idea of picking up a cheap phone over there. Looking online, it looks like I can pick up some good deals on smartphones (there's a nice looking Nokia Lumia!) - apparently I should avoid CDMA phones if I want to unlock and use here (my PAYG is REALLY old, so if I can pick up a bargain over there that I can use when I come back that would be nice!) but is there anything anyone can advise on the practicalities? Whilst in the US, I'll only be making 'local' calls - anything international will be facetime on my iPod via WiFi!

grumbler

Quaint1 wrote: »

... Looking online, it looks like I can pick up some good deals on smartphones (there's a nice looking Nokia Lumia!) ...so if I can pick up a bargain over there that I can use when I come back that would be nice!)

Don't forget about the sales tax that I guess you don't see. Then compare to http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go/deal-finder?PPAYUPG

Warranty issues are worth checking too.

Re the calls, check Three's 'Feel at Home'.
Incoming calls are free. Mobile data and calls to UK cost the same as in UK with a bundle. Calls to USA can be made via a UK 020 access number using inclusive minutes for as little as 5p+2p/min.

pete_l

Hi
Does anyone know how Three's Feel at Home works if you called another Three user who isn't at home?


There's a few of us going on holiday to Spain in May and we're not sure if we'll be able to use the Feel at Home allowance to get free calls to each other. I've been into a couple of Three stores to ask and some staff have said it'll be ok while others have said no.


Has anyone else used Three like this in other countries?


Thanks

darren72

grumbler wrote: »

Calls to USA can be made via a UK 020 access number using inclusive minutes for as little as 5p+2p/min.

If you are using inclusive minutes, surely it won't even cost 5p+2p/min ?

J_B

pete_l wrote: »

Hi
Does anyone know how Three's Feel at Home works if you called another Three user who isn't at home?

There's a few of us going on holiday to Spain in May and we're not sure if we'll be able to use the Feel at Home allowance to get free calls to each other. I've been into a couple of Three stores to ask and some staff have said it'll be ok while others have said no.

Presumably, the 'feel at home' works just like being at home ..... ???

Although Spain currently isn't in the 'included countries' it will be by April IIRC

redux

darren72 wrote: »

If you are using inclusive minutes, surely it won't even cost 5p+2p/min ?

I didn't quite understand that either.

With some callthrough providers well under a penny a minute to USA is possible, without any connection fee

darren72

redux wrote: »

I didn't quite understand that either.

With some callthrough providers well under a penny a minute to USA is possible, without any connection fee

You can call the USA for no further cost apart from a standard 'inclusive' call - so there shouldn't be any cost if you have inclusive minutes.

grumbler

darren72 wrote: »

If you are using inclusive minutes, surely it won't even cost 5p+2p/min ?

020 is the access number to the call-through provider that charges 5p+2p/min.

redux wrote: »

I didn't quite understand that either.

With some callthrough providers well under a penny a minute to USA is possible, without any connection fee

I just checked MSE International Callchecker, 'Quick and easy', without a top-up.
Dial123 is 1p/min without the connection charge, but is far too laborious IMO.
18185 is the one that I know well and that is simple and easy for occasional use with 5p+2p/min.

Of course, you can find 0.5p/min with a top-up.

pete_l

That's what I would have thought but since the staff in the stores gave different answers I'm not sure anymore. Might just have to wait in line for the helpline and ask them.

J_B wrote: »

Presumably, the 'feel at home' works just like being at home ..... ???

Although Spain currently isn't in the 'included countries' it will be by April IIRC