Airtime and data contracts.
 

We have been here for 14 months and never yet needed to use a phone as we use Skype for friends and relatives.
Unfortunately, the above method cannot be used if we need to phone our kids in emergencies so we buy €10 prepaid pm that expires after 30 days.
This seems such a waste of money.
Is there not a cheaper option? Our local agent only sells €10 prepaid.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Is your phone locked to a network that might make a difference in what cheaper options you can access and then decide to ulock or buy and unlocked phone.

I think now most networks have the 30 day expiry, could you maybe purchase credit in smaller amounts from somewhere else. The 30 days starts when the voucher is added to the phone.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Can you get a mobile account in a bundle with your home phone/internet package for little or no extra cost?

Alternatively, it may be possible to convert your PAYG tariff to one without requirement for top-up every month (sem carregamentos obrigatórios). For example Meo Start. Calls may be considerably more per minute but if you rarely make any ...

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Why don't you use "SkypeOut" - we use it all the time to ring UK mobiles and Landlines direct from Skype at a fraction of the cost of mobile calls.

If you already have Skype, you just need to set up a SkypeOut account, pay some credit in, and away you go...

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

I don't understand that MEO thingy but SkypeOut seems the best option. We don't have a landline. Thanks. I will check it out. :)

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Obviously the SkypeOut is the way to go. I pay €10 and it lasts for 6 months renewable if not used by a simple 1 sms.
To top it all, the person I phone does not even need to have Skype installed.
A call to the UK will cost a few cents per minute. Where have I been that I did not know this?

Today I was offered a €10 pm contract for a SIM card with 500 minutes to any PT phones. No international calls. I accepted it but will cancel it asap.
Thanks once again.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Sorry, I'd assumed that your internet access was limited to while at home. If you have 3G/4G mobile data, then SkypeOut allows calls to those who aren't online at the other end. However, it won't help if you can't get online at your end.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Thanks. I do have unlimited and uncapped 4G internet at home.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

I hope that goes well and so good to see others chip in. Good advice Problem solved.:goodpost:

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Yeah. I can see the end of landlines and the frustration it must cause to the ISP's.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

I am sure many here in the Uk seldom use a landline but the way the contracts are with ISP you have to have the land line and pay for it usually around £16/month even if you have cable internet and TV.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

In the UK you still need a landline rental charge to access the internet for the vast majority of users.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

To answer the original post Skypeout is definitely the way to go, and if a mobile is still needed then lycamobile has a 5 euro top up with an sms or even an unanswered call every 6 months to keep it live.
In the UK there isn't any requirement to maintain a landline for internet access, there are mobile packages with unlimited internet access, and tethering included.

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

Sounds like someone in the business .

Re: Airtime and data contracts.
 

No, not in the business, anything but!! Although before I left UK I had a mobile contract with 3 which gave me everything I needed, unlimited calls, texts and internet download, and I was able to tether the mobile to my laptop. It wasn't as fast as broadband but it was usually good enough to watch live or catch up TV.