Virgin Mobile?

[Olaf]

I was wondering if any of you had an account with Virgin Mobile, and if your UK phone worked while you were here in the States? I ask because we have an account with Virgin Mobile USA and they're telling me that the phone will work in the UK, but of course, I'll have to pay additional charges. It will be something approximately 45 cents a minute. I was told this by the Virgin Mobile call-in help desk, but I can't find anything confirming that info at their website.

Or perhaps one you has an idea about getting a mobile phone to use while visiting the UK. Thank you.

 

[jen_uk]

My Virgin phone worked ok in the US last year

 

[daipp]

I have had my Virgin mobile for several years on tri-band and have used it every time I go to the States to phone home and within the USA.

David

 

[Olaf]

This is very good news. Can I be nosey and ask if you got socked with additional charges?

 

[Hilary]

I've been on pay-as-you-go with Virgin for a few years now and have (touch wood!) had no problems using my phone in Florida. On arrival, I get a text telling me the cost of calls and texts - from memory it's something like 35p per text and 85p per minute for calls. I don't know if Virgin contract charges are different.

I did have a problem using the same mobile in New York - no idea why DD has never been able to use her Virgin pay-as-you-go tri-band phone in Florida, even though Virgin always assure her she will be able to but I presume this is down to the phone rather than the network.

 

[Olaf]

Hilary, what kind of phone does your daughter have? I hope it's not the same one, that would be just my luck. I'm on pay as you go with Virgin Mobile as well.

Something just occurred to me, how am I going to charge this phone up? I know the voltage isn't the same.

 

[SammieG]

i have a virgin mobile US phone.. but it doesnt work here in the UK...

they work the other way around i think...

But then Im pretty sure my phone isnt triband.... if yours is.. it will probably work.

the others are talking about having UK Virgin phones and them working in the USA...

 

[epcot1stfave]

If you have a car 12 volt power outlet/cigarette lighter charger, that will will work over here.

 

[Hilary]

Hilary, what kind of phone does your daughter have? I hope it's not the same one, that would be just my luck. I'm on pay as you go with Virgin Mobile as well.

I don't know the name or model, but I can find out from DD later if you think this sounds as though it could be the one you have - it's a pink-ish 'clam shell' design with a dark pink lotus flower on it!

Something just occurred to me, how am I going to charge this phone up? I know the voltage isn't the same.

We use our ordinary UK chargers plus a US plug adaptor. The lower voltage means they take longer to charge, but it works okay. However, for a US voltage charger to work in the UK without causing meltdown, I think you can get a voltage changing adaptor - they're about £12, I think. I've no idea how well they work!

Good luck

 

[Olaf]

Don't worry about your daughter's phone Hilary. Sammie is right, my phone won't work over there. None of the Virgin Mobile USA phones are triband.

The Virgin Mobile USA help desk game me bad info. See, that's why I come over here and post my question.

After doing some digging, I found out that I can purchase a triband phone for my Sprint account and I may do that. It's an excuse to finally get a Blackberry.

Thanks for everyone's help.