Alberta_Rose

Going back for two weeks. I don't suppose I will need to use my cell phone much, but it'd be nice to know I could......

I see roaming charges with all the usual supects are $1.99 per minute talk, $0.75 per outgoing text and $0.025/kb for data used.

Otherwise (with Bell) you can get addons eg $20/month for 15mins talk, then $1.33 per additional minute. Then text is $15 for 30 sent texts, and 50c after that.
Data charge addons start at $40. You can have any one/two or all three, or more expensive addons if you want longer/more.

So I've done some homework, but I'm still not certain which way to go.
What have other people found best? When I'm at family's I can use their land-lines, but I shall be meeting a friend up in London for a few days....

I didn't think I'd bother with the data ... if I find a Starbucks it's free right??
And mum has internet, bless her cotton socks.

JB0591

I take a UK unlocked mobile with me on trips to UK and use a Tesco Mobile PAYG SIM card. My top ups never expire and I get better rates than using my Canadian cell.

lmartin999

Yes, unlocked phone and pick up a 99p SIM card anywhere.

el_richo

How the **** we lived without mobile phones and Internet back in the day I'll never know

Aviator

I enjoy the peace and quiet, nobody can bug me, as they cannot call me

el_richo

Ditto. I love being off the grid these days.

Partially discharged

One thing to be aware of is that some of those plans have a 3 month minimum. Our daughter went on a school trip recently to europe...we got her some plan for something like $15 for 25 minutes of talk time (she never used it) and $15 for 30 or so outgoing texts and incoming ones free.

I got the bill for the 1st month and then on the bill was the amount for the next month. They never explained it was for 3 months. After a bit of ranting that I was never told this (and I had got the plan on the advice of the cell reps as being the best for a teenager on a school trip) and that who goes for 3 months to europe etc, they waived all the charges and gave me a $100 credit.

I find with the wireless companies you have to be ruthless in reviewing the bill to watch out for contract extensions, unknown charges etc.

jericho

As mentioned by others, just get a UK sim.
Canadian charges, even if you buy a bundle, are expensive and you'll never actually know what you're being billed for.

Cyan

Is there any weird small print to be made aware of ? About 5 years ago I picked up a SIM Card from Asda, and it could only be topped up online using either a British credit card (with implied current UK address) or Sterling cash at the seller.

There was also some minor complication with purchasing and activating a UK PAYG phone, but I can't remember now.

Taguntumi

You can buy a PAYG phone at Carphone Warehouse on most high streets for £15 unlocked if required.

britsnake

I have an unlocked handset, so I just get a SIM card and use it for those weeks.

You can get one for 5 or 10 pounds with 5 or 10 pounds worth of calls, depending on how much calls you are going to make.

You could also get a pay as you go plan if you think you will make loads of calls.

If you have not got a hanset you can get then pretty cheaply as well.