Great Cheap Local Sim Card Hunt

Dustsucks

I can't image why they make it so difficult for 'foreigners' to get SIMS - business is business isn't it? I'd have thought they'd jump at every opportunity... or am I being naive somehow? http://img.moneysavingexpert.com/smilies/confused-smiley-013.gif

payless

recently used 0044 global sim and was very happy with there service

My callers were charged based on calling a Isle of Man mobile ( most other firms seem to use more obscure countries) , thats about think 14p pm from BT ( BUT part of inclusive minutes from orange and o2 mobiles !! useful if you have relatives/. friends with these contracts , we left a contract phone with in-laws )

Had about 120 mins of incoming calls without costing me a penny ( although since then they have cut back a little on number of countries that are free)

- outgoing a lot cheaper than using my own mobile , but quality was variable when calling mobiles

Texting out did not always work l ( but had my o2 contract, and they seem to do a 4 in 1 on roaming texts from allowance)

Online itemised calls/ billing

I found 0044 customer services very good ( and purchased via quidco for a rebate)

knuckledragger

4 nrj sims purchased at 15 euros each!! The equivalent SFR sims were 30 euros each- erm, no thanks. The calling costs for nrj are slightly higher than SFR but who's doing any calling? Receive only please! Also the texts to other nrj sims are a measly 6 cents. I think that there is also 5 euros credit on the nrj sim. What a bargain. Thanks again Dustsucks

JPR

knuckledragger wrote:

4 nrj sims purchased at 15 euros each!! The equivalent SFR sims were 30 euros each- erm, no thanks. The calling costs for nrj are slightly higher than SFR but who's doing any calling? Receive only please! Also the texts to other nrj sims are a measly 6 cents. I think that there is also 5 euros credit on the nrj sim. What a bargain. Thanks again Dustsucks

Were there any hoops to jump through buying them? Any address to give? etc. I bought one via eBay (it was new but registered in the seller's name) so I had a actual number in advance but will want a couple more when in France.......

knuckledragger

JPR,
so long as you've got your passport as proof of ID then you should have no problems. They asked for an address so I gave a UK one. They didn't bat an eye. I'm still deciphering their website using babel fish but it all looks good. Maybe I'll get a helpful French person to activate the sim when I go back.

bindods

anyone know the cheapest for sharm el shaikh egypt?

mildenvilla

JPR wrote:

I managed to get hold of a friend's address in France but they appear (if I understood in correctly) to require a French issued Credit Card so no luck there.

Carrefour sell them and it seems possible to choose a mobile number from their website and have it reserved in some way at a shop for 48 hours. They give you a reference number. No shipping is involved so a fake Fr. address would work and you could do this 2 days before arriving in France and have the number in advance to give to people?

This does seem to be a good deal. I've just tried to buy one online but have also had difficulty with payment methods. I think I might have succeeded with the help of a LloydsTSB security assistant and 'Clicksafe'. Have to wait and see.

I really wanted to add that it appears you have to buy a 'phone to qualify for a personalised number! Carrefour stock the sims.

Regards, Alan

knuckledragger

re nrj sims,
topping up can also be done at the cashpoints of a couple of banks and at "Tabac" shops. Again, I can't speak too highly of nrj. When topping up, don't forget that the 5 euro top up option refers only to TEXT messages so always top up for a minimum of 10 euros.

redux

Why top up so much? Use it with a callback service for calls to UK landlines at 12p to 15p per minute

canjoos

Country Visited: PAKISTAN

Make of Sim: JAZZ

Cost of Sim: 200 (Rupees) (less than £2)

Ease to obtain: Mobile outlets are all over the place

Cost of calls: I use it to text back home to tell my family or friends to call me using the Cheapest Call Checker or I but them an international calling card before I leave. They then use it to call me.

Do you know of a weblink to the tariff http://www.mobilinkgsm.com/index_bb.php