Using mobile phones abroad

You need to check that your phone is capable of connecting to foreign networks, mine refused to function in the USA this summer.

As in store or something.

Payphones don’t exist don’t they? Then you can really watch what you’re spending. Also, I’m not if this is what Sky High meant, but you can get Skype itself on your mobile. Not too sure how it works, but it is certainly cheaper.

Another option would be a Broadband stick? Again….load the laptop with Skype and talk whenever, wherever.

How about using a locally provided SIM card?

My dad used one when my family traveled to Vietnam for a month.

Doesn’t Truphone use VoIP – so as long as you have a WiFi connection it is free (as is Skype) – for other calls you need ‘credit’ on your account?….

That’s right. Current rates are 3p to landlines and 15p to mobiles if no Wifi, so fairly reasonable.

Doesn’t Truphone use VoIP – so as long as you have a WiFi connection it is free (as is Skype) – for other calls you need ‘credit’ on your account?….

I use a mobile version of Skype, called Truphone. I think that mobile to mobile calls on Truphone are free so make sure your mates are all signed up!:)

If you want to lug a laptop with you then Skype is a good option (as long as everyone you want to call has it too [free calls] or you buy Skype credit [for Skype to landline calls] for those that don’t).

Many places do the cheap call cards – I got stung a couple of years ago in the US when my wife crashed the car in the UK and I was using the hotel room phone to check up on her/sort out insurance issues. The bill came to $600 for about an hours calls!!! Hotel was good and reduced that by a big chunk as a good will gesture. I later bought a $20 phone card from the pharmacists which was 10c a minute to call UK. They can never expire as they are considered cash (in the USA at least).

Getting a cheap mobile phone may be difficult as from trying myself many networks insist on you having an address/bank account in the country (USA again). May differ for other countries of course.

If you take a laptop you can use skype, providing you can borrow someone’s net connection.

Every time I’ve gone to Australia I’ve bought a phone card, can’t remember which, or how much it cost but it was considerably cheaper than using a mobile.

Dean