Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Hi,
Anyone know if there's a place at Heathrow to buy either a UK SIM card or a triband phone with a a UK SIM? Or cheap/reliable online sources for the same in the US? So far I've found http://www.planetomni.com/, http://www.telestial.com/ and http://www.myworldphone.com/ for unlocked phones and SIMs.
TIA

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

I bought a Virgin sim card at a phone shop in Terminal 3. It was upstairs, so after you come through arrivals, go upstairs to the departure level.

Not sure about the other terminals though.
Try this site. www.heathrowairport.com

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

T-Mobile do a decent line in triband phones.

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

The majority of modern phones are at least tri-band (GSM SIM card ones anyway) if you get one they can all be unlocked - most just with a code while some need a 'tool' - might be worth getting a second hand one on ebay? depends how much you are going to use it I guess.

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

There is a VodaFone store in terminal 1
http://www.heathrowairport.com/asset...ap_06-2006.pdf

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Thanks for the tips. Probably buying a phone in the UK will be the best option for me.

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Dont go for T-Mobile !!!

Receiving calls is OK but have had major problems trying to make calls on their network even though my account is alledgedly set for roaming. 4 times overseas in the last year each time same problem.

Not sure if they are at Heathrow but www.carphonewarehouse.co.uk has all networks and phones and has always been very competitive in my experience.

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

I wish there was more variety in the USA. So far T-mobile are the only company I've found that do pay as you go phones that work here and in the UK. For some bizarre reason, USA Virgin phones won't work in Britain, and I'd really like one that works in both places. Plus I'd make about 1 call a week so I don't want to get a monthly plan, they're so expensive its ridiculous. Any other recommendations?

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

I second that.
I bought a T-Mobile pay as you go sim when I first arrived here - it is useless outside the T-Mobile digital area (which is not that large). I could not roam using it, even with plenty of credit on the phone. Customer service told me you can't roam (or at least could not at that time) on a pre-paid phone. It can take a couple of days for the other carrier to forward the call charges to T-Mobile and they won't take the risk you make more calls than your allowance.
I drove all the way from Canada to Texas and it was often hundreds of miles (on main highways) before I had service to call - USELESS!

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

That's coz they use a different standard. The only US carriers that will work in Evropa are T-Mobile and Cingular, both of whom use GSM. However, being the US they couldn't bring themselves to use the same frequencies as everyone else so, in addition to using one of these two carriers, you'll need a phone that does both (often described as tri-band).

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Possibly even quad band since Cingular apparently uses 850 and 1900 (Europe is 900 and 1800)

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

cingular work in the UK too- they are on the GSM network - its the difference between sim card technology and non sim card (Cant remember name! :D ) that Verizon, Sprint, Virigin etc use....

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Isnt roaming a thing of the past now?(in US) Certainly not an issue on Cingular whose coverage is usually pretty good. The Virgin pre pay we used to have was pretty good on the travels we did too!

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

Virgin is pretty good except for coverage in central PA where we are is terrible. It works perfectly for me here at work, but 2 miles up the road where my husband is, there is no signal. Both our phones got lost and or broken so we're looking at getting something else now. I do wish my lovely adopted USA would catch up with Europe where mobile phones are concerned

Re: Mobile/SIM shop @ Heathrow? Or US source?
 

I know what you mean - but they are lightyears ahead of where they were 5 years ago!! I have contract Cingulars now and they work fine on both sides of the pond - not sure what the cost of using PAYG is over there though. I also kept a UK phone for using over there. To the OP- I would get a cingular or T mobile PAYG sim card and a UK PAYG sim card and get a tri band phone and unlock it. Careful with UK PAYG though as some need you to make a call from the UK every 6 months or so!