Downton Gabby

Does anyone know if there are unlimited, affordable calling plans for landlines or mobile phones?

Thanks in advance.

mrken30

Vonage does one for around £10 a month.

Lyca mobile I think also has a plan.

Do you need a US number?

Downton Gabby

Yes.

Vonage would be with a landline, right? That's pretty inexpensive for unlimited UK to US, isn't it?

mrken30

Vonage is voice over IP, requires internet. You can also use it on a mobile using data.

There are others out there.

Vonage does allow you to have a UK and US number on one line

livinginnyc

I've not used Vonage but I have used Skype.

Back when I lived in the UK, I got a US (NYC) from Skype and put the app on my iphone, computer.etc .etc - and it worked really well over WiFi and standard cellular data, and is pretty cheap too.

I *believe* that if you're calling the same country as your number, it will show up as the caller ID too.

mrken30

You can use google voice for free aswell

holly_1948

For VOIP I use ObiHai hardware with Callcentric service. USCent1/minute US to UK (or UK to US). Both reliable and decent quality.
The main attraction to me is that it is portable. I just pick up the ObiHai and handset and plug it into internet service when visiting family.
Supports free Googlevoice (US to US or UK to US).

Vonage is more fuss-free for non-techies and good quality and reliable. But it's more expensive, or at least it was when I last checked a few years ago.
Obihai OBi202 VoIP Phone Adapter with Router – Google Voice, SIP & T.38 Fax Support-Newegg.com
Callcentric - VoIP Internet phone service

mrken30

I have both the obihai and vonage. i like vonage because it will do simultaneous ring on my mobile and is easy to use. It also gives me a UK number. It also has an android app. Obihai works well once you have set it up.

durham_lad

I also use Skype and I think I pay $39/year to have a Skype number folks can call and text. If I'm not in wifi (or using data when traveling abroad) when they call then they leave a voice message and I receive an email saying that a Skype voice message is waiting.

Text messages are converted into voice but I rarely get those.

christmasoompa

Most landline suppliers have deals where you can buy international calls as part of your package - for example, I'm with Talktalk and could pay an extra £5 a month for 1000 minutes a month to international landlines.

TalkTalk Help

HTH.

petitefrancaise

FB messaging for friends/relatives. Just need a data plan on your phone if you're going to use it outside the wifi.

The only person who calls me on an actual phone line these days is my dad and at 72 he's not interested in FB.

Google voice - although I think only US based gmail accounts can get a phone number so do this before you leave for the UK. The charge is the smallest I've seen if you need to call internationally (and you will because you will be in the UK and not US)

mrken30

Do you really need unlimited?

you may want to use something like 3.

Three's 'Advanced' (as opposed to 'Essential') plans let you use your data, text and call allowances in 42 countries at no extra charge, and also let you tether. You can't do either on the Essential plans.

£11/mth. 600 mins, unltd texts, 1GB.
£16/mth. 600 mins, unltd texts, 4GB.
£33/mth. Unltd mins, unltd texts, unltd data.

Cheap mobile phones: compare, switch & save - MSE

DebzinUS

I use Ring Britain. I have a UK number and can receive unlimited calls from the UK to the US each month for $9.99.

mrken30

Ulta mobile has local access numbers included in their plan, but not as easy to use as ring Britain