Smartphone overseas internet warning from Which?
in [UK Mobile]
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From: andy on 21 Mar 2010 08:42 On 20 Mar, 19:25, Peter <occassionally-confu...(a)nospam.co.uk> wrote: > "Rainer" <newsgroups_s...(a)t-online.de> wrote > > >> >Which? advises users to go into their settings and simply turn off the > >> >data roaming facility. > > >You can by in germany a FONIC or ALDI Card as prepaidcards > >(15/30 or 50 Euros) to get a 24 hour acess to the internet > >for euro 2.50 or 1.99. > > Sure you can buy a local card but a) you lose your phone # (which is > no good if using the phone as the data modem and b) buying local SIM > cards, topping them up etc (and much of the topup is always wasted) is > a hassle. Local SIMs aren't that much hassle, given that there are network and independent shops all over the place, though perhaps some of the more attractive mvno brands aren't quite as widespread. No need to worry about not having your number in use. You could take a couple of phones, and switch your UK SIM to a modest one with no internet access. Depending on which UK network you're on, you might even also have a global roaming SIM with your incoming calls forwarded to it and using inclusive minutes (though not from all networks, as I hinted), to have incoming calls free As Rainer suggested, you might use data access via a local SIM for making VoIP calls, so call home for a cent a minute or so ..... or you might choose a SIM with cheap int'l rates Germany is a good example, as the SIM credit does not expire. One or two SIMs ask for a top-up once in a while to stay valid, like annually, but on some even that isn't necessary. For data use in Germany, Tchibo is also worth looking at as well as those mentioned.
From: Steve Wyles on 21 Mar 2010 12:45 On 20/03/2010 19:46, Peter wrote: > > Yes, but the BBC has missed the point a bit. In the EU, you aren't > going to get cut off at the 50 euro or whatever point - I don't think > any network has implemented that. 3UK have done exactly that: http://www.three.co.uk/Help_Support/Noticeboard?content_mode=Notice_C&content_aid=1220460044066#1220460044066 whether it is possible to vary that limit isn't mentioned. Steve
From: Chris Blunt on 22 Mar 2010 02:11
On Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:09 +0000, Peter <occassionally-confused(a)nospam.co.uk> wrote: >This is all a hassle for a short visit though, which no doubt is why >roaming will carry on. The dedicated penny pinchers will always have >ways to save money (like the people who go to huge hassle to obtain >the one Electron card on which Ryanair don't make a charge) but most >people with real jobs and real objectives don't have time to mess >around. I don't think this can be described a penny-pinching. We're not talking about saving small amounts of money here. If you use a roaming SIM to access the internet you can easily end up with a bill of hundreds of Pounds. With a local SIM that might have cost just a few Pence, or a few Pounds at most. The price differential really is very significant. Chris |