Mobile Phones in US

[MARTINIUS]

I'm taking my Tri-Band phone to the US next week. I'm not interested in phoning home but may want to phone the brother in law who is coming with us - he also has a tri-band phone. When I phone him I understand this will be like an international call i.e. phone call goes US - UK - US.

How will I be billed - as an international call?

Do I just ring his number or do I have to put the international bit before his number i.e. 44 etc?

Anyone who has had experince of doing this - comments would be appreciated.

I'm only on planning on ringing him maybe once or twice in case we get seperated etc so am not worried about cost and don't want to buy a local sim or phone over there.

 

[wayneg]

Yes you would have to use the code back home.

When we come with friends we just text each other, always been instant and cheaper than calling.

 

[ford family]

You will be billed for making an international call to the UK.
He will be billed for receiving an international call from the UK.

ford family

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Cheapest way is to go into Walmart. get a couple of PAYG US phones, we got two TracFone Nokias for $19.99 and put some credit on them.

http://www.tracfone.com/home_page.jsp?b=n&flash=YES&p=W

 

[dee slack]

Cheapest way is to go into Walmart. get a couple of PAYG US phones, we got two TracFone Nokias for $19.99 and put some credit on them.

http://www.tracfone.com/home_page.jsp?b=n&flash=YES&p=W

Great tip thanks!

 

[gilld]

I found I just used my phone/address book and it automatically routed them to the UK.

 

[daipp]

Cheapest way is to go into Walmart. get a couple of PAYG US phones, we got two TracFone Nokias for $19.99 and put some credit on them.

We have done this also and works out well for us.

David

 

[mattnkatsmum]

We have done this also and works out well for us.

David

I've thought about this, but how do you get around the 'zip code' problem on registration?

 

[mnoble_uk]

You can buy virgin mobile phones at any virgin shop and the come with some prepaid credit. There wasnt any registration required when I bought one a few years back (at least I dont remember it being a problem)

 

[mnoble_uk]

You can buy virgin mobile phones at any virgin shop and the come with some prepaid credit. There wasnt any registration required when I bought one a few years back (at least I dont remember it being a problem)

... sorry I meant to put in 'US Virgin store' just in case there was confusion

 

[Bexx]

For those of you who have used Tracfones - did you have any trouble activating or re-activating them?! I don't think you can activate them online while still in the UK, as the phone needs to have a signal - is that right?

 

[jna]

I've thought about this, but how do you get around the 'zip code' problem on registration?

Yes, I'd like some information as well please. These 'phones seem a good idea.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I've thought about this, but how do you get around the 'zip code' problem on registration?

Your resort/hotel/villa/Disney has a zip code. you can use that.

We use the same phones whereever we are in the US just re register with the new local zip code

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

For those of you who have used Tracfones - did you have any trouble activating or re-activating them?! I don't think you can activate them online while still in the UK, as the phone needs to have a signal - is that right?

yes, this is the only downside that if you do not use them for a couple of months you have to re activate. Not a probolem. Get to the USA, buy a pre paid card and re activate and get new telephone numbers based upon your locality. Very simple system really