Buying the $49 phone for use in Ireland

youngka · Guru

Buying the $49 phone for use in Ireland

Fotobug · Veteran Member

Hi Youngka,

We didn't buy it, though I thought about it since we travel to other countries too (I was looking at the $99 version that covers more countries but comes with a $40 call credit). But I decided that the per minute charges were so high that it wouldn't be worth it *for us*. I read a lot of reviews in my research and it seems that the people who read the details and understood what they were getting were very happy with it - they tend to carry it more for emergencies and liked the fact that they could just pack it away between trips and had no charge until they used it again.

Those who didn't read closely before they bought were horrified at how much it cost them to actually USE it - typically anywhere from about $1.25/ min for incoming calls to up to $5 outgoing depending on where you're calling from and to. Much of our travel is in the Caribbean and they were among the highest rates so that was one thing that deterred us.

But everyone indicated that it worked like it was supposed to - they just were not happy with the costs after the fact!!

I have a quad band phone so I'm going to try getting just the SIM card for it. I will report back on how that works out for us.

Barb

Keany · Veteran Member

Hi Youngka,

Its funny: I was going to post the same question today!

Fotobug,

To me, those charges are too high, so perhaps the SIM card is the way to go.

I am not familiar with what needs to be done to go this route. I know that there are numerous posts about it, so I will have to go back and check for the procedure. I'm assuming it will work on my Apple phone?

Erin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Erin,

Itallian Chauffeur wrote a very good post about phones. Do a quick search for it and it will come up.

Phones are so personal. Everyone uses them differently. Your usage, where you call and when will determine rates, etc. So it is best to do lots of research in advance.

Michele

Fotobug · Veteran Member

I'm assuming it will work on my Apple phone?

I don't know much about those but my daughter has an iPhone - is that what you mean? I think she said that those don't even have SIM cards; but when she travels she just calls them and adds "international" coverage for that particular month and gets all the same minutes, etc. she usually has. I think it cost her $50. But don't take my word for it - assuming that you are talking about the iPhone, I'd call ATT and ask them what the options are.

youngka · Guru

Thanks to everyone Fotobug, Keany & Michele! I had forgotten that Itallian Chauffeur had written up that long explanation! I'll search for it and make a copy for husband Dave and he can figure this one out!! youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

youngka,

When you find it will you post the link here? I don't have a lot of time left on the Internet at the moment. Thanks!

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's ONE of them:

http://www.ireland.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=15510063

And, another: http://ireland.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=11532735

And, ANOTHER: http://ireland.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=11532735

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 27th of April 2009 03:46:41 PM

Keany · Veteran Member

Fotobug,

Yes, its an IPhone. I have added the international roaming in the past, but it can get expensive. I was hoping the international cell phone or the SIM card way might be a lower cost option.

I'll check with ATT and see what they say.

Thanks for your help.
Erin

youngka · Guru

Thanks Bob for the sites!! youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Thanks for finding the posts. This is aways helpful.

MIchele