Phone help, please

Marie · Guru

Phone help, please

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Marie --

Check out my answer here:

http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=65127&p=3&topicID=41010749

An Irish phone makes it handy to communicate with people WITHIN Ireland as they can call you without making a Long-Distance call. People in the US call Long-Distance, but if they use an International Calling Card (or one of the "10-10" services) it's pretty cheap -- AND all incoming calls (to You) are FREE!!!

Bob

tony2phones · Guru

Just given this reply on another thread

The cheap 20 euro type phones will work throughout Europe not just Ireland. I swear by Tesco mobile who operate on the O2 network but also have an agreement with Hutchinson 3g giving 2cent calls to many long distance countries.

http://www.tescomobile.ie/

Point202 · Member

Thanks so much for asking this question! I am just trying to figure this out myself for our April trip :)

murphy · Guru

Likewise thanks for this post, as it just reminded me that we have a cell phone that we purchased in Aug of 09. I recall asking at the time, how we could keep the phone current, and they said we could just call them once ever 6 months, and they would keep renewing it. Well, I didn't do that.

I see it is a Nokia with O2-3G. On the data card, is see the mobile number is listed as well as a rather long Sim number. After 17 months of inactivity, I wonder if either pne will be valid, or if I have to start over with a new sim card and new number?

We are going to Ireland March 26, and wondered if I can get it up and going here in the States beforehand, or will we have to wait and visit an O2 shop or Tesco after arrival, to get it done. Hopefully someone on the other side of the water can advise. Thanks!

Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's the O2 Ireland web site:

http://www.o2online.ie/help/contact_us.shtml

Contact info (from it):

Support hours	8:00 am - 9:00 pm daily (automated system offers 24 hour service)
Phone	1747 (14c per call)
International	+353 61 203501
Phone from landline	1850 601747 (landline operator charges apply)

Give them a call --

I let my Vodaphone expire and all it took was a call to get the account re-activated. You will probably need to 'Top Up' to use it, though.

If you got the phone from Tesco, try THEM:

http://www.tescomobile.ie/ContactUs.aspx

Would think they would work the same, too. If not, just buy a new SIM for the phones you have (but that will change your phone #) hmm

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 7th of February 2011 10:53:58 PM

tony2phones · Guru

You should be able to get the phone unlocked before you leave home. I wouldn't use 02 as they are one of the most expensive operators in Ireland and besides Tesco operate on their network at least 1/3 the price. Having your phone unlocked will give you the freedom to use a sim card from any chosen network.

Sambailey · Member

Are you in the USA? If so, I can tell you that it can depend on your carrier. I have AT&T and will activate my international calling before leaving on my trip in April. The phone I currently have will work fine in Ireland - once I make a trip to the local AT&T store to make sure it is activated correctly. This will allow people to call you from the USA and you can make calls TO the USA. Will also allow you to dial phone numbers in Ireland. I did this for Amsterdam in 2008 - worked great. I had a friend call to invite me over that afternoon (in Texas). He was amazed that I was standing on a street corner in Amsterdam. So, this is what I know about AT&T Cell phones for international use. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just to add to the mix, I actually bought the Mobal Phone that is advertised on my website. I decided on it because I can use in in many different countries (including Ireland and No. Ireland) without having to change out the SIM card. Also, it never expires. I can use it whenever I want with as much time between trips as I want. Just charge and go.

Rates are not the best but I don't care as I use it infrequently. It is mostly for calling ahead to accommodations and in case of emergency. There are no roaming charges and it just picks up on the best network in the area. Only time I had a problem with it was outside Armagh at a self-catering cottage in a "dead zone". The cottage owner told me in advance about it and had a phone in the cottage because of the problem. On my last month-long trip to Ireland & No. Ireland I think I spent about $6.00 in calls. It is a "Cell Phone for Dummies" and works perfectly for this technology-challenged dummy! Only downside is I have a UK phone number but most Irish people can call the UK for about the same price as in country.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

Just be careful that, if you do have a smartphone of any kind ( you mentioned Blackberry) that you turn off roaming while in Ireland. International roaming charges can add up VERY fast, and get huge billing rates. I was advised (I have an iPhone) to turn my phone into airplane mode while I'm out and about, and only use WiFi, not any roaming network, for data/email/websurfing if I needed it.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

If you haven't already seen, here are AT&T's recommended settings for the iPhone that will avoid unwanted data charges.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/iphone-travel-tips.jsp

I used them when I went on a cruise and all was fine.

Jackie