mission

Thanks SCAMP, much appreciated - I can tell, you are a good soul

archie159

On android, and I assume iphone also, there are several satnavs which you can install for free, and then download (via wifi, before you leave the UAE) an entire UK mapping system - or indeed, the mapping for almost any country in the world, free. You then don't need any wifi or data connection in the UK. OSMAnd, Here (already mentioned), Navigator all work well on android, have spoken turn by turn navigation (street names etc), and are pretty much as good as a garmin etc. I assume some of these also work on iphone. Then you can step off the plane with your existing phone and no need for any data packages etc.

norsk

Both Du and Etisalat have data roaming packs which are actually decent value. 1GB for 1 week is AED200. Rather than faffing around with sim cards and a second phone this is what I do.

mission

Thanks ARCHIE, i'll look into that. But I would have thought apps to do with following instructions would require either a wifi or data connection? Otherwise how does it work in 'real time'?

mission

NORSK I already have roaming on my account and it costs a fortune when I'm using it abroad.

archie159

The satnav app is installed on your phone, and it uses the inbuilt GPS receiver which all smartphones have. The mapping is downloadable and is stored on the phone's own memory (or a SD card if your phone allows one). For the UAE, the mapping is just a few hundred MB. For the entire UK it will be a GB or more - but most of the ones I mentioned allow one to download the mapping by UK region (south, midlands etc) to minimise the needed storage space. Then it just functions like any garmin, tomtom satnav - none of which require wifi or data. You just need to install the app and required mapping via wifi before you leave home. These systems work well when holidaying also - most of the world is covered, so when you holiday in Thailand, for instance, you can just download the required mapping, and then delete on return. As I said, most are free (a few of the apps have some limitation to get you to buy an upgrade, but these are often very minor in nature (eg only a limited number of map downloads before paying, or some business-like function disabled), or they give you adverts while downloading the maps.

norsk

MISSION You have to sign up for special packages. On Etisalat you dial *177# from your phone and select what you want.

If you just use roaming without a package it will cost a lot as you say..

jam25mack

Tried this many a time and it never ends up working on my phone, hence why I just but a UK sim. Also, it lets me truly turn off my UAE life for a week or so.

norsk

I can't help you with your user issues

I've used this facility every time I go to UK for the last couple years. Never had an issue..

Inselaffen

try the Navfree app. used it a few times and it works offline. just need to install the app and then download the UK Maps

mission

Many thanks Archie will look into OSMAnd & Here

mission

NORSK i'm with Du....i'll try ringing them and see if they have any packages available. Thanks.

Pongo

I use Du easy roaming, they have a similar 7 day data package as Etisalat, available through the App or website.

mission

Thanks INSELAFFEN, will look into that app also

mission

ARCHIE....i'm probably being a complete dingbat here (i'm not the brightest bulb in the box when it comes to IT)....i've downloaded the Here app....i put the settings to 'offline' and then switched off my wifi & data connection.....I put in an address which the app located (to test it out) but then when i ask it to start the navigation it comes up with 'looking for GPS signal'?

i'm confused.dot.com