Bill -- I've had a Vodaphone account for several years that I THOUGHT was pretty reasonable, then I upgraded the old phone and decided to keep the old one, so I got a Tesco SIM, too.
Can't beat the Tesco for cost -- particularly if calling back to the States! Only potential drawback is that it seems that you can only buy 'Top Ups' AT Tesco -- unlike the Vodaphone, which can be done at practically any/every Shop, or Petrol Station --
I use them both, now, as everyone that might need to call me has had the Vodaphone number since 2004 --- and ALL Incoming Calls are Free.
BUT ... I only call home with the phone that has the Tesco SIM, since they only charge a couple of cents per minute. If you buy a 10 Euro 'Top Up' at the time you "BUY" the SIM, they GIVE you the SIM -- AND, usually DOUBLE your Call Credit!
Bob
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Bob
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Bob. Thanks. That's what I thought I had heard. I had been using vodaphone too but the tesco version back to the states seemed to be the bargain. Thanks again.
Topping up is the drawback to Tesco but it can be done online if you get close to using the credit (i keep meaning to see if it can be topped up at the bank ATM). I am not sure if the double (free) credit can be used for overseas calls but is used first on calls to Irish numbers. I know that we never use our "free" credit allowance in the 30 day period but calls to the UK come out of the credit we put on and Irish calls after the 30 days, basically with 2 phones between us on Tesco Ireland we put 10 Euro on alternate ones, alternate months just to have the free Tesco to Tesco calls between me and Chris when we are out doing separate things. (you get 30 days free calls to all phones on the Tesco.ie network when you top up by 10 Euro)
We transferred the old O2 number onto Chris's Tesco phone to keep the number we had had on contract. To keep one of my old UK numbers active I used to text myself from that every 3 months so the normal 6 month inactivity cut off didn't come in. (We cant get a consistent signal on Vodafone up here on the slieve so is the only network we haven't played with for more than the 14 day trial period).
We also both have Tesco UK phones to keep in touch with family over there at UK rates (10p/min and free to receive) by purchasing the Ireland Bundle (£1.99) every month. We get triple credit on the Tesco UK network but can only use that when we are over there and within the 30days of putting credit on.
With the cheapest land line option costing 40Euro plus per month, even having 4 mobiles (2 each, 1 UK 1 IE) in the house works out the cheapest option averaging about 28Euro per month over this year so far.
-- Edited by tony2phones on Monday 10th of October 2011 07:04:16 AM
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