Mobal vs Telestial Cell Phones

Kirstin · Member

Mobal vs Telestial Cell Phones

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kirstin,

Welcome to my forum! No one phone and plan is right for every person. It depends on what you require and your usage while in Ireland.

I have been looking at Mobal for myself. The per minute charges are high but the phone will work in many countries and you don't have to purchase a SIM card for each individual country. Once you purchase the phone it is pay-as-you-go with no expiration dates, no roaming and no per month charges. Since I personally don't make or receive a lot of calls I can absorb the higher per minute charges for the convenience of being able to make calls in Ireland & No. Ireland without changing SIMs. I am not sure, but check to see if SIMs expire after a certain amount of time. If they do and you have time left on them it would be a waste of money. From what I read you must pay for incoming and outgoing calls. Your phone number does not change but it is a UK number and anyone calling it from the States would incur charges themselves.

I looked briefly at Telestial. Their phones require a SIM for each individual country. If I read right I believe the phone number might change for each country. The per minute charges are much lower. I did have many questions that I did not see answered on their website, but I may just have to do more reading or email them.

In the past I have always just purchased a calling card. But then you don't have the convenience of a phone with you. I have to find a phone, input the code and then make a call.

I am not an expert on phones so I suggest you compare features, decide what is most important for you when making and receiving calls and choose the one that fits your needs best.

Michele

Jerilyn Mc · Veteran Member

Kirstin,
We have the Mobal phone and used it in Ireland. It was amazing how well it worked! We haven't received the bill yet (we were in Ireland end of June/early July) so can't comment on the cost. The only issue was that it occasionally lost it's charge rather quickly, not sure why that was. When you get the phone, it comes with 5 different chargers. I recommend the Mobal phone, it worked for us.

LindainOhio · Member

I was just checking the forum to see what others have done about cell phones.

I ordered the Mobal but after looking at Telestial I think I am returning it. The per minute charges are too high. I am looking at the Pack Lite+Pack Lite Service+$20 airtime from Telestial. It is $49 and all incoming calls from the US are free. It also includes a phone calling card. We do have to call our office here in Ohio from Ireland, or arrange a time that they can call us. (It's a sad story, but we have been able to travel to many nice places because of my husband's job--so I should stop complaining) I was just reading all the information on the website and think I may have to call the customer center. I can't figure out if I need to buy the $19 international SIM card--to me it looks like it is included with the free $20 airtime.

I hate to pay my shipping again on the Mobal to return it, but 1 15 minute call from the office will cost more than the shipping.

This has almost gotten as confusing as car rental.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

Thanks for your input. It is confusing because we each have different needs. Some want low cost per minute. Others who don't make many calls can absorb the higher per minute calls for other conveniences. It all depends on how many calls you need to make, how long they will be, whether you need to call internationally, etc. Each person must determine what works for them.

Michele

irishnana · Member

Linda,
I saw your post and we are also thinking about cell phones while in Ireland. I calledTelestial and this is what they told me about the Pack Lite plan. While in Ireland, incoming calls from the US are not free - they are 79 cents per minute. Calls that you make while in Ireland, in country or international, are 99 cents per minute if you are calling a land line, $1.49 per minute if you are calling another cell phone. You will receive your phone and number before you leave for Ireland. The cost is $49 as stated on their website. Should you have any problems with service or the phone they provide you will a number you can call from your cell phone. This will be a free number, but if you are having trouble with your phone or phone service I wonder how you can use your phone. Anyway, thought this might help. You might want to check out this website - it is rentaphone-ireland.com. I have been looking at them as well. They will have your phone waiting for you at your first destination and when you are ready to leave Ireland you place it in the mailing pouch they provide you and put it in the mail box - no postage fees out of your pocket. Hope this helps.