Texting from the US

[Minniespal]

On our upcoming trip I would like to text home.

My mobile is a tri-band, so I know it will work in the US.

So how do I text, do I need to add a prefix to the mobile numbers?

Thanks.

 

[mikki.young]

You need to put the country code if the text is not going to the USA. Also need to know your phone company has coverage in USA and what they charge you!

 

[alisonbestford]

We're on O2 contracts and just texted everyone through our address books.

Just go to the name, text and send

We're both on online contracts and I was surprised to note that my texts were included in my monthly bill (500 'free' texts)
DH got charges for phonecalls but that was due to people calling him from the UK and him acruing 'roaming' call costs.

 

[Claire L]

For a UK mobile the dialling code you need is +44 then the mobile number minus the first 0.

Claire

 

[alisonbestford]

You will usually get a 'welcome' text, on landing, which will tell you how to contact the UK

Make sure you enable your phones for International use before you go - we failed to do this one year and were unable to use them

 

[Claire L]

Also need to know your phone company has coverage in USA

Not quite correct as you need to connect to a US company, such as AT&T for example, if you leave your phone set to automatic roaming it will find a suitable network for you.

Claire

 

[gilld]

I have never put in the UK code - simply text through my address book and it finds it's way home beautifully. I'm on O2 as well.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx

 

[spoiltrotten12]

Make sure you enable your phones for International use before you go - we failed to do this one year and were unable to use them

Same happened to us last year ooops

 

[SammieG]

I am a super texter from the USA! In my address book, some of the numbers have the +44 at the beginning and others dont. Still its pretty easy to change it if it doesnt and you dont need to change it back when you are in the UK, as it works with the code too.

Sometimes I get free texts and sometimes I dont...so dont think you automatically will get them within your minutes/text allowance.

Be sure not to use your mobile to call home though.. its extremely expensive!
We often text rather than phone eachother if we are separated in the park, as its cheaper.

 

[jns]

We often text rather than phone eachother if we are separated in the park, as its cheaper.

we do this as well but sometimes it takes a while

 

[matty624]

I texted a lot the summer before last (a friend who needed TLC). Cost 35p each, to send and for her to receive. Had a huge bill when I got back, it often charged me 2-3 times, even if I stayed under the 160 character length!
E-mailed them last summer from Florida Mall. Much cheaper!!!