Traveling to the UK and France, looking for Windows Phone advice.

[jdhutch]

I'm traveling to the UK and France for two weeks in a couple of months, and I want to know whether I should unlock my AT&T Lumia 920, and get a SIM or get a cheap pay as you go Windows Phone when I get there. I figure I would need it mostly for voice, and I could use WiFi to Skype home, but I'll be traveling with an iPhone user and want to show off the OS if possible. Thanks.

 

[eusty]

Get a PAYG sim for the UK. Don't get one from the airport, you can pick them up from most supermarkets or phone shops.

 

[realwarder]

Get a PAYG sim for the UK. Don't get one from the airport, you can pick them up from most supermarkets or phone shops.

You would need it unlocked from AT&T now to use that. PAYG sim is really cheap in the UK. Supermarkets or anywhere are as easy a place to pick them up.

Saying that, its only worth it if you're making lots of calls. AT&T works fine there. I use WiFi and Skype rather than use the phone. Texts messages are $0.50 each when roaming either in or out. So beware of that.

AT&T does have a roaming plan that might be worth the money for a month if you need to use the phone a lot but keep your number. Check out their website.

 

[jdhutch]

Thanks. I want to have a phone available to make reservations and keep in touch with some friends who I'll be meeting up with, and I'd really rather not user AT&T over there.

 

[EBUK]

The are four networks here in the UK:

• EE (Everything Everywhere, a partnership between T-Mobile and Orange)
• Three (Originally a 3G-only network but now offering 4G)
• O2 (2G, 3G, 4G)
• Vodafone (2G, 3G, 4G)

With the exception of Three, all networks host a range of virtual networks, which are too numerous to mention. There are some that offer great UK rates, and others offer great international or roaming rates.

As far as PAYG is concerned, Three offers unbeatable rates on its 3-2-1 tariff. 3p/min UK calls (to landlines and mobiles), 2p texts, and 1p/Mb data. A little advertised fact is that if you use special access codes, Three offers some of the cheapest international calling rates, too, great for keeping in touch with home.

If you tell us your needs, we can recommend a suitable network for you.

I'm including a link to a pdf document detailing the 3-2-1 tariff. Page 21 explains the international access codes (3p/min to USA, 1p/min to Canada, for instance)

 

[EBUK]

Carphonewarehouse sells all its phones unlocked; just buy any PAYG phone and you can use ANY SIM card in it. However, Carphone Warehouse doesn't sell Three SIMS - you have to pop into a Three store for one. Three also sells its phones unlocked, though they tend to cost more than in CPW.

Every so often CPW drops its prices and you can pick up some good bargains. Take a look at:
Carphone Warehouse
Three

And for balance...
EE Mobile Network
O2
Vodafone

There are too many MVNO to mention!

 

[bradleymcc6]

In the UK, a pay as you go sim is called prepaid I think in the U.S. You can top it up and then the money just gets taken from your balance

 

[EBUK]

Yes, PAYG (Pay As You Go) is prepaid. Usual top up is ?10, though some networks let you top up with ?5.

FWIW, I'm with giffgaff (owned by O2). Their PAYG rates aren't the greatest, but they offer 'goodybags' which are similar to monthly SIM only tariffs, and they offer some good deals on data. www.giffgaff.com

 

[realwarder]

Thanks. I want to have a phone available to make reservations and keep in touch with some friends who I'll be meeting up with, and I'd really rather not user AT&T over there.

Definitely unlock your phone and get a PAYG SIM then. Simple enough to do. Oh, and they even have dirt cheap basic phones if you can't get an unlock. Just a feature phone but for a few UK calls and texts it'll work.

 

[seventeenapg]

I have an unlocked L830 and I currently use Three PAYG (3-2-1). I was with Giffgaff. I am in China right now for 3 weeks work and have a China Unicom sim card. I also have a DTAC sim card for Thailand all of which I top up when needed. I prefer to have only one phone with me. I recommend you unlocking your phone, getting a Three dim card when you get to the UK and ensure you have the likes of Viber and or Whatsapp on your phone as well. Safe travels.