Which cell phone service provider is best if you are moving abroad?

am.jovial

My partner is currently on Pay monthly (one month contract) and will be moving to Asia for an year or more. She will have to receive few calls and texts from banks etc. when abroad but has another local SIM for other local communications in that country.
Which UK service provider is best (cheapest, value for money, lowest contract , may be lowest incoming call receiving charges ) when in Asia?
Please could some one guide me.

Thanks a lot,
Am

eDicky

Which country?

Jon_01

No network will allow 12 months of continuous roaming, the most you'll get is around 3 months.

[Deleted User]

Getting a local sim would be better.

PHK

I would also advise a local SIM.

(Incidentally, it would be a good idea for her to talk to her bank as they may need to move her to an account which is suitable for someone living overseas for an extended period)

pramsay13

I've just done something similar with a year in Africa.

I moved my number to freedompop which is around £3 a month, but you can send / receive text messages and calls using the sim in the phone or even using their app on wifi.

The service / app is a bit glitchy and they will try and add extras that you don't really need, but apart from that it does the job.

eDicky

Jon_01 wrote: »

No network will allow 12 months of continuous roaming, the most you'll get is around 3 months.

Why? As long as you pay your bill you can roam indefinitely.

Perhaps you're thinking of time limits on free EU roaming under 'Roam like Home' regs.

J_B

_shel wrote: »

Getting a local sim would be better.

PHK wrote: »

I would also advise a local SIM.

But ....

am.jovial wrote: »

.... but has another local SIM for other local communications in that country.

(ten characters)

am.jovial

Thanks for the replies.
I think We will move to suitable plan that has cheapest call and text charges on international roaming to moving country. We don't expect too many calls but you never know. Let me search on comparison sites. It may be difficult to compare what will be the charges for a specific countries though.
We will definitely be having a local SIM.

mobileron

also ensure you have skype whats app facetime for personal use.
Look at setting up a voip account,you can then use a UK number for all calls.

eDicky

Several Asian countries feature on the list of 71 included in Three's 'Go Roam' service, which is why I asked which country. This could be used for little or no cost, until they notice prolonged roaming and revert to normal charges.

Incoming texts cost nothing on any network. Call costs will vary between networks, £1.50 - £2+ /min. Personally I never answer a call with such charges, unless strictly necessary for a verification, but call back on my own terms at minimal cost.