Three - U.S. local calls on sim only

misterspoon

Hi. I have bought a three sim only for my trip to Florida. My question is how to best make local calls ( within U.S.). From what I know so far, local calls will not be possible with the add on. I chatted with someone at three and they told me I would need an add on ( for data and calling home ) and a separate top up for calls and text within the U.S. But as far as I understand any top up is converted to Add on when you buy an add on. So what I need is an add on and a top up to be running simultaneously.

I know of course I can use wi-fi etc - but from past experience I really want to be able to make the occasional text or call to U.S numbers when offline. Three calls within U.S. are £1.40 a min ( expensive ) but texts within U.S. only 2p text ( good )


Anyone have experience with this?

grumbler

misterspoon wrote: »

From what I know so far, local calls will not be possible with the add on.

Why? They are possible, but cost £1.40/m
http://www.three.co.uk/support/roaming/united-states#payg

I chatted with someone at three and they told me I would need an add on ( for data and calling home )

Don't take my word for it, but what I see is 3p/m and 1p/MB "Outside your allowance."

and a separate top up for calls and text within the U.S. But as far as I understand any top up is converted to Add on when you buy an add on.

No. And what SIM have you bought actually? SIM-only contract or PAYG?

eDicky

It's not clear whether you have a PAYG SIM or a SIM-only contract. You need to study the relevant ways to use the Go Roam service according to what you have, looking online may be less confusing than consulting their CS staff.

Perhaps you didn't notice this very recent thread which may be useful:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5944645/three-go-roam-from-usa-making-calls-to-usa

Frozen_up_north

Roaming in the USA on Three is similar to being at home in the UK, so you can call UK numbers as if you were still in the UK. However to call local USA numbers there are two kinds of option:

1. Voice over IP, using data, preferably “free” local WiFi, typically with an app such as Skype. Skype would need a “top up” to make calls and mobile data use would add to the cost if using a PAYG SIM.

2. A “re-dial” service such as Ringo, where the app calls a UK 03xx number and then dials the overseas number. This is currently free to call some overseas numbers, for example Spanish landlines from the UK. I’m not sure how it would work when roaming in the USA. You may might check with Ringo: https://www.ringo.co/index.html

misterspoon

Thanks for the replies. I'm on PAYG.

Grumbler. The add on is for unlimited calls and texts to UK numbers only. Hence my question about needing a add on and top up simultaneously. There is no credit in the add on to take the $1. 40 charge.


I did read that other tread eDicky, but it refers more to contract. I'm on PAYG. Forgot to mention that.

Ringo. I know there are workarounds using data, but from past experience there were times I really needed to contact someone when I or them were not connected to internet. Just thought they'd may be an easy way to make calls and texts without data. If not, I'll get by.


( sorry, don't know how to do quotes )

Frozen_up_north

Re: Ringo, it calls either via WiFi/data or via a UK 03 type number. Currently calls via Ringo via the dial out (03.. number) to USA landlines are free, except for any charge to ring the UK number. I can’t say whether the app would dial a UK number when roaming, maybe someone will comment on that.