Phoning the UK from a mobile in the US

[JulieSharp]

Hi,

Despite that the fact our rented villa has free international calls I am looking at the option of phoning the UK from a mobile whilst I am in Florida.
Need a new phone so figured may as well get one with that functionality.

So I am looking at buying a phone in the UK and making calls from the US > UK on my mobile?

Can anyone advise on what type of phone I need, and would I have to contact my Service provider also?

 

[Macl1uk]

Go to a Carphone Warehouse shop or online, you will need a tri-band or quad-band phone to use in the States and the phone needs to be unlocked. Most of Carphone Warehouse phones are tri-band or quad-band and most are unlocked. Unlocked phones means that it will work with just about any SIM card.

Then purchase a USA T Mobile SIM cards off Ebay and activate them myself within 90 days of the return date. By activating them myself, the seller does not know when you are going to be abroad, your home address is normally registered with Ebay and the seller can pull this info even if you have the SIM’s posted elsewhere. Scotlandjohn95 on Ebay is good.

USA T Mobile has one of the best coverage’s available:-
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx

To activate:- call 001 877 778 2107 and get through to a person by staying silent when asked to enter the codes or call Customer Care 001 800 937 8997, activation is easier by speaking to someone
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/activateprepaid.aspx

Select the state FL and area code as 407 for Orlando or Kissimmee

To top up USA T Mobile in the UK:-
http://pinzoo.com/

Once in the USA you can buy top ups very easily, far easier than getting the SIM cards.

 

[tinks_1989]

Hello

I dont know if they still do have them but asda had international cheap call sim cards for 1.99 in Feb I am sure if you search online you could find some thing

Also Vodafone do a price plan where you pay 75p to connect then they are charged at usual uk rates and if some one rings you from the UK it only costs you 75p for you to answer and then no other charge and the person calling you from the UK doesnt pay any more then if they were ringing a mobile in the UK

I hope that is of some help x

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I am on O2 with a Nokia triband phone - it connects to a network when we arrive - I have used it to call and send a few texts without a problem.

 

[karriemouse]

If you are planning on upgrading anyway I would definitely recommend getting a quad band phone.

DH and I use our phones in the US with US sims and there were many places that his triband couldn't get a signal at all and my quad band had a full strength signal. It was so frustrating that we ended up buying him a dirt cheap phone from walmart which worked so much better than the expensive original!

 

[JulieSharp]

Hi

Just bought a quad-band mobile on 02 and I've topped up the phone ready for our hols. According to the booklet, on 02, I have to ring them before I go for international calls, I think they must have to set things up, . or try to get some more pennies out of me for something.

Thanks
Julie

 

[SammieG]

its very expensive to call home from your mobile.... just make sure youre aware of the charges..

 

[guccimum]

Why do you want to use your own phone if you get free calls?

 

[JulieSharp]

Why do you want to use your own phone if you get free calls?

its a long story, but I have to ring into work while I am away and they could be long calls. So not to take liberties with someone elses phone..........

Julie