More analysis of long-haul roaming options, please

DCurrer

Now that mobile charges are limited by law throughout the EU, I'd appreciate it if MSE could offer more detailed analysis of options for affordable roaming worldwide. The current recommendation seems to be 'Get a 3 sim' - which still only applies to some destinations, and doesn't allow device tethering, for example.

It becomes really difficult to find roaming plan details for anyone outside the big four, ie Vodafone, 02, EE and 3. What about GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile, Plusnet, Utility Warehouse, etc etc? Most seem to offer no global roaming packages at all - or is it just that their web sites fail to explain what's seen as a minority requirement? Further insight on what's available where would be very helpful.

Lorian

https://community.plus.net/t5/Plusnet-Blogs/Introducing-Roam-Like-at-Home/ba-p/1436498

eDicky

Any particular countries?

I normally use a local PAYG SIM.

System

There isn't a catch all, for all locations, as countries/ local networks will have differing wholesale charges to UK networks.

You need to be more location specific or just get a local sim.

Samantha_EE

Hi DCurrer,

EE now have a great range of 4GEE max plans that allow you to roam in the 48 EU countries listed as well as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

We have a great newsroom page that covers all aspects of the new plans here:

http://newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-launches-european-roaming-for-all-customers-at-no-extra-cost-and-new-4gee-max-plans-with-inclusive-roaming-in-more-places-than-any-other-network/

Thanks, Sam

DCurrer

eDicky wrote: »

Any particular countries?

I normally use a local PAYG SIM.

I'm interested mainly in the US (which is often catered for by the latest plans) and Thailand, which usually isn't. I use a PAYG sim in Thailand as well, but I like to be able to receive calls and texts on my UK number and handset while I'm travelling, which is why it's useful to know what the charges will be. All too often, it's almost impossible to find this information online from the third-party 'piggyback' services, such as GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile etc.

DCurrer

Samantha_EE wrote: »

Hi DCurrer,

EE now have a great range of 4GEE max plans that allow you to roam in the 48 EU countries listed as well as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

We have a great newsroom page that covers all aspects of the new plans here:

http://newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-launches-european-roaming-for-all-customers-at-no-extra-cost-and-new-4gee-max-plans-with-inclusive-roaming-in-more-places-than-any-other-network/

Thanks, Sam

Very interesting - thanks. I guess I'll be able to find charges for using my phone in Thailand on your web site? And - will any of these new arrangements apply equally to third-party 'piggyback' suppliers using your network, such as PlusNet? I presume not?

redux

Some countries just aren't going to have cheap roaming there for the foreseeable future.

But you can look into methods of forwarding incoming calls on your UK number to whatever SIM you choose in other destinations.

There have been some global roaming SIMs which cheaper calls across a wider range of countries, but historically these were outside bundles of minutes on contracts, partly because some of them are on Isle of Man or Jersey numbers. So they might in theory be interesting, but not necessarily something to rush into after all.

I would suggest a local SIM card where you will be, perhaps with a data bundle.

Also look into VoIP accounts.

Some UK networks even offer their own VoIP applications that will receive incoming calls, such as O2's TuGo, and there is a Three one I don't remember the name of, so you can receive and make calls on your UK number using a smartphone while you have data access.

Third party VoIP providers can also be useful, either to reach your temporary foreign number cheaply, or you can register the account on a smart phone using data access. Then either way forward your UK number to an incoming number on the VoIP account.

Outgoing calls cheap on the VoIP account, or possibly direct dialled on the local SIM if they offer cheap international rates.

eDicky

DCurrer wrote: »

I'm interested mainly in the US (which is often catered for by the latest plans) and Thailand, which usually isn't. I use a PAYG sim in Thailand as well, but I like to be able to receive calls and texts on my UK number and handset while I'm travelling, which is why it's useful to know what the charges will be. All too often, it's almost impossible to find this information online from the third-party 'piggyback' services, such as GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile etc.

If the calls you are making and receiving in US are to/from UK then UK networks' roaming deals are useful, but local calls and calls to/from other countries may not be included.

There is never any charge to receive SMS when you are roaming, anywhere. Thailand roaming on EE contract: texts cost 50p, calls £1.50/min to make or receive, data add-ons are available. I never answer a call, voicemail is switched off because EE charge even if you don't listen to them (which was not the case with Orange). If necessary I call or text back using my Thai SIM, costs a few pence and easy with a multi-SIM handset, or use Viber, WhatsApp etc for free.

System

DCurrer wrote: »

I'm interested mainly in the US (which is often catered for by the latest plans) and Thailand, which usually isn't. I use a PAYG sim in Thailand as well, but I like to be able to receive calls and texts on my UK number and handset while I'm travelling, which is why it's useful to know what the charges will be. All too often, it's almost impossible to find this information online from the third-party 'piggyback' services, such as GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile etc.

Roaming charges are on GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile etc's websites.
You can't have looked very hard.

Samantha_EE

DCurrer wrote: »

Very interesting - thanks. I guess I'll be able to find charges for using my phone in Thailand on your web site? And - will any of these new arrangements apply equally to third-party 'piggyback' suppliers using your network, such as PlusNet? I presume not?

No problem DCurrer, yes you can find all roaming charges for EE on this handy roaming tool here:


http://ee.co.uk/help/add-ons-benefits-and-plans/call-or-going-abroad/roaming-costs


Any charges for 3rd party suppliers would have to be checked directly with that provider.


Thanks, Sam