Unregistered User
(8/26/03 10:51 am)

cell phones in Ireland?

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Hi Michele and everyone,
We have heard that the best rates for phoning the U.S. from Ireland can be gotten by buying a phone card that is accepted in many phone booths over there. Apparently, the cards can be purchased in many places (shops? banks? post offices?) HOWEVER, for business purposes we will need to be readily phone accessible to and from the states(yes, even while on vacation). What is the best way to arrange for cell phone rental? We have AT&T cell service here and our 5 year-old phones are not exactly state-of-the-art but they serve our needs here. Should we look into renting phones from AT&T to use while in Ireland? Should be rent the phones over there? Which companies would we contact? Are the rates rediculous? (Although since it's for business, it's hard to get around.) I sure would appreciate all and any help.
Thanks, J2Spring

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 86
(8/26/03 10:19 am)

Re: cell phones in Ireland?

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One thing to verify - the laws around using a cell phone while driving. I recall hearing/reading something earlier this year that said that there is an EXHORBITANT (sp?) fine for talking on a cell phone while driving. Something like $1000. (Passengers can use the phone , just not the driver)

While we were there in April, we saw quite a few cars pulled over to the 'side' of the road talking on a cell phone, and then when they were done, re-joining traffic.

j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/26/03 10:32 am)

cell phones in Ireland?

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Hi Debby,
Thanks for the "heads up" on using cell phones while driving. Not a bad idea when you think about it. Maybe a fine like that in the states might not be such a bad idea. J2Spring

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1784
(8/26/03 4:20 pm)

Re: cell phones in Ireland?

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Hi j2spring,

First, your cell phone that you have for the US will not work in Ireland. So you will have to rent or buy one there.

There are many places to rent cell phones (called mobile phones in Ireland). Your car rental company may be able to rent you one. Inquire in advance for rates. Otherwise take a look at the following links:

www.12travel.com/?affid=1026
www.cellularworld.ie/
www.travelcell.com/
www.globalphoneworks.com/
www.planetfone.com/
www.smartcoms.com/about.cfm
www.cellhire.com/
www.patterson-electronics.com
www.hickeycomms.com/
www.telestial.com/

Please note that I have not used any of these companies because I don't use a cell phone in Ireland. You will have to do your homework to find the one that works for you.

I hope you find just the right phone for your trip.

Michele

j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/26/03 8:02 pm)

mobil phones

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Hi Michele, Thanks for passing along the mobil phone links. I will, indeed, do my homework and if I find any significant info that may be useful to other forum users, I will pass it along. Again, thanks for providing this network -- you are the greatest! J2Spring

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1787
(8/26/03 10:11 pm)

Re: mobil phones

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Hi j2spring,

Glad to be of help. I hope you find exactly what you need.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 300
(8/27/03 5:44 pm)

Re: mobil phones

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J2:

If you will be traveling in Ireland for two weeks or more, cell phone rental is very expensive and you are better off purchasing a phone and getting a prepaid SIM. You can buy them from sites in the US for between $60-100. If you rebt a phone, you will likely pay that much for rental, plus a much higher per minute rate. Rental phone rates run .99-1.99 per minute and pre-paid rates run .19-45 depending on the plan. If you travel to Britain, pre paid rates are very low.

If you have T-Mobile Service, you can get a tri-band phone from them and have internation roaming turned on. I believe a few other companies are doing that now. Again, the roaming is pretty expensive.

Here are some links to companies that sell GSM phones:
www.gandhiappliances.com/gsmguide.htm

www.220giftcenter.com/motorola.htm

www.220giftcenter.com/motorola.htm

I purchased the Motorola Time Port becuase of the much longer battery life since I was going to be on a boat. It paid off!

Here is the skinny on what to do when purchasing. Double check that the phone that you are buying is unlocked. That means that you can replace the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card in different countries. When you get to Ireland, you have to purchase a SIM there. You can do that in the US but it is much more expensive. The Shannon Airport no longer has a phone store, but Dublin may. I drove into Limerick to get mine. For E20, I got a SIM, E10 worth of calls and for filling out a two minute registration card, another E10. In other words, the SIM was free. You will pay $50-60 in the States to but it. The two phone companies in Ireland are Vodafone and O2. Vodafone prices are better for pre-pay. Below is a link to their site which lists store locations.
www.vodafone.ie/buyonline.../index.jsp

If you travel to NI, you will either pay roaming or have to buy a UK SIM. You simply snap the SIM in under the battery. The store will probably do it for you. If you run out of time you can "top up" your phone at news agents all over the country which simply entails purchasing a code that you punch into your phone.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I'm on the way out the door. Feel free to ask more questions.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1790
(8/28/03 12:14 am)

Re: mobil phones

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Hi Bill,

Thanks so much for the very comprehensive report! Right from the horse's mouth so to speak. As you know I don't rent mobile phones in Ireland but use calling cards. It is great to have the first-hand info.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 301
(8/28/03 9:34 am)

Re: mobil phones

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We only got the mobiles becuase of our two car deal in May, but I think they will prove handy in the future. Alos, we might still be sitting on the Shannon if we didn't have them for the trip. I will tell that story soon.

Bill

j2spring
Unregistered User
(8/28/03 3:01 pm)

mobile phones

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Hi Bill,
You certainly know your stuff!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write back with such helpful detail. We will only be in Ireland for 10 days, so I'm not sure if purchase is the way to go for us, but with the suggestions you have provided, I will have a good base to start my research. Again, thanks.
J2spring

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1794
(8/28/03 4:51 pm)

Re: mobile phones

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Hi Bill,

I can't wait to hear the story. I just knew that you would have some adventures in your boat.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 302
(9/2/03 12:02 pm)

Re: mobile phones

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Oh yes, we had some adventures ....

mike
Unregistered User
(12/16/03 5:38 pm)

topping

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ttt

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1985
(12/17/03 12:16 am)

Thanks Mikey!

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Hi Mikey,

Thanks very much for taking the time to search out this topic and top it for mldmv. Very helpful!

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 369
(2/24/04 7:15 pm)

Re: Thanks Mikey!

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ttt

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 385
(3/25/04 11:34 am)

Re: Thanks Mikey!

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ttt

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2358
(3/26/04 1:56 am)

Thanks Bill

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Bill,

Thanks for topping this topic. I have had such a busy week (got the 2004 book out and updated my web site) that I didn't have time to find this one and top it. Sir Bill to the rescue!

Michele