Texts and calls to and from Ireland

Dinah93 · 26 June 2008 at 10:53AM

Hi all, I'm sure this has been covered somewhere before, but I have been trying to find an answer for a few days and I don't even understand some of the things people are on about with regards mobiles!

What I am trying to find is how I can cheaply text and call between the UK and Ireland. In addition I spend 1-2 weeks each month in Ireland and do make limited calls and texts back to the UK (15 mins/3 texts per day average). I have a landline, internet access (not for long though) and mobile. The person I am calling has intermittent internet access and a mobile.

At present I have o2 contract with 'international calling pack'... I have no idea what cost this makes it all I know is my mobile bills are coming in at over £200 a month :eek: I think texts are 6p each, but when you're sending 30+ per day, it really adds up.

Does anyone know any way I can call from the net, landline or mobile to a mobile for free or very cheap (have skype but due to intermittent access other end, cant be relied on for computer-computer). I tryed downloading vyke to my mobile today for texts, but it seems to want a wireless network, which I can't access, where I thought it ran off the internal wap on my phone (nokia n95). It has been suggested I get a meteor mobile phone while in ireland, as meteor do free meteor to meteor texts, however I'm not sure if these free texts would work when I was outside ireland texting back.

Any help would be very greatly appreciated, love Dinah x

allthatmularky · 26 June 2008 at 11:19AM

Whoa - thats way over the top.

A cheap and easy solution would be the 3 network - this assumes there is decent 3 coverage for the person you are callling in Ireland and the areas from which you call whilst in Ireland.

If there is decent 3 coverage - save yourself a bundle and just get the Skypephone on contract or a PAYG pack of 2 for £70.

http://www.three.co.uk/personal/help_support_/abroad_/3_like_home_pay_monthly.omp

Let me know how you get on.

Dinah93 · 26 June 2008 at 11:26AM

Thank you! That looks really promising... unfortunately I can't really understand it so I will have to get the other party to look at the deal this evening and explain what it would mean we would actually be paying! If he doesn't understand either I'll have to go find a 3 shop this weekend for a chat

allthatmularky · 26 June 2008 at 12:34PM

Again - difficult to advise without knowing more detail - but a few suggestions.

From the info. given :-

The suggestion about the Skypephone - if your friend in Ireland is in a decent area for 3 Ireland you can Skype each other for free via this mobile - no internet access is needed it is routed thro' the 3 network and is subject to a fair useage policy (3000 mins a month). This is the cheapest route - a PAYG top up of £10 a month allows the Skype call functionality.

Even if they're not in a decent area for 3 Ireland you can use a 3 contract - you could buy a cheap contract add a £15 add (International saver) on and call them.
http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/callingmessagingintlsaver.omp
With Add International Saver from 3 you can talk on your mobile to anyone you like for just £15 a month, in 23 destinations, for as long as you like.*
The * is for 3000 mins.

While you're in Ireland - from your usage say 15mins for 14 days a month - 270 mins plus 50 texts - get a 500+ units (mins or texts) contract and the 3 like home function lets you use your inclusive UK minutes and messages to call or text standard UK numbers.

A combination of these should bring your bills to £35 max a month.

Remember to use Quidco to get some cashback on any contract taken out.

I've no connection to 3 - just I use a similiar combination when I travel to Denmark.

The parts in italics and bold are from the 3 website.