View Full Version : Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.....just got my mobile bil!!!
Isn't it outrageous how much we get charged to use our UK mobiles from the US back to the UK.
Just got my Orange bill and I suppose I feel it a bit harder as normally stay within my inclusive minutes and manage to keep my bill to £26 pcm.
This months with my 2 weeks in the US included it came to £84.
Didn't overly use it rang home most days (missed the odd day)and not on for long aside from one call which cost a whopping £7!!!
Obviously expected to pay more but I'd forgotten just what a rip off this racket is.
Lesson learnt - will look at other options next year......
Rant over. I'm going to lie down now in a darkened room to get over it.....
The phone cards from supermarkets work well. You load them with $ at the checkout, on the back is a scratch card type system with a code underneath.
You use these from the villa phone just following the instructions on the card. As you dial your International number you will be told how many minutes for that number you have left on the card. The cards can be topped up at the supermarket.
Thanks Clare - sometimes though it's nice to ring when you are out and about during the day and say
"I'm just ringing you from Main St. USA/Seaworld etc etc"
What options are there around USA PAYG SIM cards - or do they work out ridiculously expensive too....
Katys Grandad
19-07-2009, 20:43
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MJG
Thanks Clare - sometimes though it's nice to ring when you are out and about during the day...
[/quote]
Nice for the the service provider certainly!
There's been a few threads about the benefits of just buying a PAYG phone in the US. I'd say that if you're spending that amount, it would be worth it for you.
Net10 might be worth a look.
We bought a T-mobile sim and use that in our triband mobile phone. Don't tend to use it for calling the UK though as we use our villa phone for that, so I could not say how much it may cost.
I have seen some companies offer Skype for use on their phones. That might be worth looking into.
IF your phone is unlocked you can buy a T-mobile SIM card off Ebay for $12 delivered with 100 minutes on it, that you can top up
Or the phone cards mentioned can be used at pay phones aswell as at the villa.
Some home owners provide free international calls.
A PAYG Virgin US cell phone costs 20¢ a minute for calls to UK landlines. You can get a Virgin cell phone free when you purchase $9.99 of air time. International texts cost 20¢ each to send, 10¢ each to receive. You can buy these cell phones in Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
There are six of us, everyone with a mobile which I pay for. Two teenagers. When I got the bill from our last trip they all got a half-hour full on hairdryer rant. The cost could have rented us a villa for a week.
Katys Grandad
20-07-2009, 13:42
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Some home owners provide free international calls.
A PAYG Virgin US cell phone costs 20¢ a minute for calls to UK landlines. You can get a Virgin cell phone free when you purchase $9.99 of air time. International texts cost 20¢ each to send, 10¢ each to receive. You can buy these cell phones in Wal-Mart, Target, etc.[/quote]That sounds like something that would suit my needs because I just want to have the convenience of a cellphone but probably won't use it much at all.
Are you up and running straight away when you make the purchase?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
That sounds like something that would suit my needs because I just want to have the convenience of a cellphone but probably won't use it much at all.
Are you up and running straight away when you make the purchase?
[/quote]You need to activate the phone but it can be done online.
Katys Grandad
20-07-2009, 21:00
Thanks - that's a slight drawback for me but you certainly can't argue with the price.
Sounds good to me, as I dont like using my mobile when in US so think I will look at this, could activate via laptop at a free wireless spot as we will be travelling first 10 days, thanks Blott
flyrr100
22-07-2009, 16:42
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MJG
Isn't it outrageous how much we get charged to use our UK mobiles from the US back to the UK.
[/quote]Don't feel too bad. I get then same when I use my Sprint phone in London to call back home to Florida. It's almost $2.00 a minute to call here. And with a pay as you go UK T-Mobile phone it's over $2.00 a minute! Crazy since I call London from Florida for 8c a minute!
Go figure. I guess someone is getting rich! It sure isn't me.
cook22uk
27-07-2009, 22:30
If you have a laptop it is cheap to use Skype to phone and text home/mobile phones anywhere. A matter of pence or cents! My teens are on it all the time to their friends and although they have their UK mobiles with them (handy at the airports when they wander round the shops or to toilets and so on)we switch to skype and US mobiles in Florida.
For example we stay in our villa and take a laptop as we have wireless connection and skype phone to plug into it but we also provide free national and international calls for guests as do many owners as the system we use costs next to nothing so we don't need to charge. As owners paying the phone bill we also have a cheap number we can use on our mobiles whilst we are out and about. We bought the Virgin cell phones out there - they were about $11 each - you can call Virgin and set up over phone or do over net takes 10 mins. You will need top up card to operate. Better than walkie talkies as there are so many families using them at the parks you will get other families on same radio wavelength as you and it gets really confusing for the kids. Decent walkie talkies cost more than the cell phones.