(Untitled)

[inspired]

Sorry, these questions are probably pretty stupid but I thought I'd check. I am English, and, obviously, have an english mobile phone! However, in June I'll be heading out to America for three months and will be taking my phone with me. I'm probably going to get an international calling card etc anyway, but I had a few questions

Comments

[yummydeb]

I don't know if this helps, but when my friend moved across the US to another state, he kept the mobile phone he had when he was here (same number, same provider). So his phone number stayed a Pennsylvania phone number. When he moved away, because his # hadn't changed, I didn't have to dial him long-distance (or pay for long-distance) - I just called as usual.

However, I'm not sure if an UK phone will work in the US. I know that when anyone who works here travels abroad, they are issued with an international mobile phone because their US phones won't work elsewhere.

Don't know about the other way 'round, though. Can you ask your mobile phone provider? They can probably tell you specifically what areas they cover, and whether their mobile service will work here (in the US).

Have fun while you're in the US!

[inspired]

Well I'm just assuming, because whenever I've been to Asia or anywhere like that it's continued to work, just cost an absolute fortune to phone home!

I'll wait and see if anyone else knows, I've lost my voice at the moment so phoning my provider up won't be fun and whenever I email them they tend to talk a lot and not actually answer my question ;)

Thanks!

[yummydeb]

Good luck :-) I hope you get favorable news!

[janewilliams20]

Phones sold almost anywhere in the world these days (including the UK) are tri-band or better, and hence work anywhere in the world. The only place I know of that sells phones that aren't triband as standard is the US. Your UK phone should work fine.

I believe that since you'll still have a UK number, you'll have to dial just as if you were still in the UK. Personally I store all my numbers as international anyway, so I just select, no matter where I happen to be. When I'm travelling around Europe, people call me as normal from home, and then I have to point out that I'm in another country and they're probably getting charged the earth, they've got no way of knowing.

Might I suggest picking up a cheap pay-as-you-go when you get there, for phoning around America?

[serendipityhoo]

Have you asked your carrier? I know that the reverse situation (US phone in UK) costs will depend on the phone carrier.

You can easily buy a phone in the US to use for calling domestically, if that would help.

[sparkofcreation]

Or even just buy a SIM card, I think there're places you can find them now.

[serendipityhoo]

I meant a pre-paid phone - if you buy it in the US, you won't have expensive charges.

[winterbadger]

I think it depends on what sort of phone and service you have. GSM coverage (which most UK phones use) is available in the US, but not everywhere. It's probably best to check the website of your service provider. Here, for instance is a relevant page for Virgin Mobile users.

http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/callCosts.do?isoCountryCode=us&paymentPlan=PAYG

[a_d_medievalist]

I'd get a PAYG phone here, if you are going to be phoning a lot, or use your phone mostly for texting. I have a US phone, and had it unlocked so I could get a UK PAYG SIM card, and just swap cards.

[topacio]

Yes, that is what I did when I came over to Sweden. There's an online service that enables one to unlock a phone via USB cable when connected to their program. It costs $25 but it's worth it, and then if you want to use the same phone for ANY provider, it's unlocked.

[mappingcaroline]

If you will be making and receiving more American calls than British ones, I would find out if you can get a new sim and phone number while in America since that's quite an extended trip.