Communication
Communicating with family and friends in and out of the UK
Understanding Mobile Phone Plans in the UK
Mobile Tariffs - Phones in the UK only charge you for making a call, not receiving a call. Receiving a call does not cost you money or minutes against your phone plan (as the person making the call is charged). However, you will notice that the number of minutes you get on a phone plan is significantly less than you would get in the US based on this way of charging for mobile usage. Overall, I think this evens out--depending on whether you are one to make calls or receive them!
Pay-as-you-go SIM cards - these are very popular, especially for temporary visitors as you are not required to sign a contract or pay a monthly fee. These SIM cards can be put into almost any phone (which can be unlocked from a service provider for a decent price at many phone shops throughout London). You can choose plans that maximise text messaging, overseas calling, or domestic calls. For under 20, you will be up and running!
"Top up" - this simply means adding credit to your pay-as-you-go phone so that you can make phone calls.
Landlines versus Mobile Phones - BT (British Telecoms) is the main service provider of land lines. Calling a landline from a mobile phone can be expensive. Calling a landline from a landline is generally very inexpensive if not completely free. 0800 numbers (equivalent of 1-800 numbers in the US) are generally not free when calling from a mobile phone. You often have to pay a hefty surcharge to call customer service hotlines to most companies. However, if you call from a landline, the surcharge is much cheaper if not completely free.
Having a landline generates a charge for the line into your house (usually a BT line) as well as a fee for the service provider (Virgin, Sky, BT, etc). Landlines services often come in a package with internet and TV.
Make sure to consult several sources before signing a landline contract.
UK Mobile Phone Providers
T-Mobile
Orange
Virgin
Vodafone
Three
Lebara - specialises in SIM cards for international calls
Mobile Phone Sales
Phones4U
Carphone Warehouse
Other methods of communication
Skype - a free video calling software
Viber - iPhone / Android app that allows you to call or text anywhere in the world for free.
Whatsapp - international text app for your smartphone.
Understanding Mobile Phone Plans in the UK
Mobile Tariffs - Phones in the UK only charge you for making a call, not receiving a call. Receiving a call does not cost you money or minutes against your phone plan (as the person making the call is charged). However, you will notice that the number of minutes you get on a phone plan is significantly less than you would get in the US based on this way of charging for mobile usage. Overall, I think this evens out--depending on whether you are one to make calls or receive them!
Pay-as-you-go SIM cards - these are very popular, especially for temporary visitors as you are not required to sign a contract or pay a monthly fee. These SIM cards can be put into almost any phone (which can be unlocked from a service provider for a decent price at many phone shops throughout London). You can choose plans that maximise text messaging, overseas calling, or domestic calls. For under 20, you will be up and running!
"Top up" - this simply means adding credit to your pay-as-you-go phone so that you can make phone calls.
Landlines versus Mobile Phones - BT (British Telecoms) is the main service provider of land lines. Calling a landline from a mobile phone can be expensive. Calling a landline from a landline is generally very inexpensive if not completely free. 0800 numbers (equivalent of 1-800 numbers in the US) are generally not free when calling from a mobile phone. You often have to pay a hefty surcharge to call customer service hotlines to most companies. However, if you call from a landline, the surcharge is much cheaper if not completely free.
Having a landline generates a charge for the line into your house (usually a BT line) as well as a fee for the service provider (Virgin, Sky, BT, etc). Landlines services often come in a package with internet and TV.
Make sure to consult several sources before signing a landline contract.
UK Mobile Phone Providers
T-Mobile
Orange
Virgin
Vodafone
Three
Lebara - specialises in SIM cards for international calls
Mobile Phone Sales
Phones4U
Carphone Warehouse
Other methods of communication
Skype - a free video calling software
Viber - iPhone / Android app that allows you to call or text anywhere in the world for free.
Whatsapp - international text app for your smartphone.
