Need to receive phone calls on my cell phone while in Ireland, need advice

SXM Patti · Member

Need to receive phone calls on my cell phone while in Ireland, need advice

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If you have a 4S model, it SHOULD work in Ireland, but you will need to call AT&T and set up International Service. Incoming calls will come through as dialed. NO Long Distance fee to the CALLER --- But ... ALL calls, IN and OUT will be charged to YOU, at the International rate.

Don't know what that is, currently, but the last time I checked, I think it was about $1 per minute! AT&T's website / store should have all the current details.

Bob

tony2phones · Guru

If you do have international call forwarding you would need an unlocked European compatible phone and pick up a Tesco Mobile sim card for 1cent per minute calls to the US.

Or with an iPhone can you not divert to a Skype number and use wifi zones?

SXM Patti · Member

Actually, I did check into SKYPE. I can obtain a US number from SKYPE and have my calls forwarded from my 4S iPhone to SKYPE. I can also set up voicemail on SKYPE...if I'm not connected to wifi the calls will go into vm. Question: How is wifi connection between Dublin and Shannon...we are heading south and then west to Shannon for an 8 day tour. Txs in advance.

SXM Patti · Member

I will also get the least expensive coverage for international service from AT&T but try to use SKYPE depending on wifi service.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

See THIS for WiFi --

http://ireland.activeboard.com/t53575438/hertz-interesting-extras/

I THINK Dooley may be offering something similar, too.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dooley is offering a WiFi hot spot but the price seems a lot more than Hertz.

tony2phones · Guru

Or you could just rely on Hotels, B&B's, Bars, Restaurants, even AIB banks or Mc Donalds who have free wifi on offer.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Whatever you finally settle upon -- keep in mind the Time Difference of 5 hours as it COULD make business calls a BIT 'tricky' ... confuse biggrin confuse

Bob

SXM Patti · Member

What is Dooley? Txs for the link to wifi and all the hotspots. I will be working between 1-9 right around dinner. I traveled to Italy a few years ago and it was tough.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan Dooley: http://www.dandooley.com/

SXM Patti · Member

Dooley car rental might be a nice option. Question: How is the drive from Shannon to Dublin airport. I drive to NYC many times and used to country and city driving; however, not used to driving on the opposite side of the road.

tony2phones · Guru

SNN to DUB practically Motorway all the way if doing it in one hit..Under 3 hours given clear roads.

SXM Patti · Member

Has anyone used TEP wireless while traveling in Ireland....it is a wireless modem that can be rented and connects to iPhones, iPads, laptops. I was wondering how the wifi coverage is while traveling in Ireland with TEP for anyone that has used TEP. This would work out great if it works.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Had to research this, myself -- http://www.tepwireless.com/

A Review of TEP : www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413065,00.asp

A Review of their chief competitor: www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381232,00.asp

The TEP unit appears to operate on the '3' Network, in Europe. They list coverage in the UK, but do not SPECIFY Ireland as a covered country ...

In my less-than-expert understanding, these are merely Rentable, Mobile 'Hot-Spot' devices -- and they appear to be QUITE pricey, at about $150 US per week. Hertz offers a unit for less than 40 Euro per RENTAL and Dooley offers one at 10 Euro per DAY. SEE: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t53575438/hertz-interesting-extras/

A few years ago, I bought a Pay As You Go, 'Stick Modem' from Vodaphone and would 'renew' the internal SIM, each year -- Best performance I ever got was 3G and usually, it wasn't THAT good ... Don't know how their network compares to others, currently.

HOWEVER, they DO offer a competitively priced option: http://shop.vodafone.ie/shop/internet-and-broadband/mobile-broadband/device-details/vodafone-mobile-wifi-r205 59 Euro to purchase and THEN 3 Euro per DAY, to use ...

O2: http://www.o2online.ie/shop/view/product/ql_catalog/catdevice/35759204 From 69 Euro to PURCHASE device

Meteor: http://www1.meteor.ie/mobilebroadband/payg/?linkid=broadband_sub From 59 Euro to Purchase device

Data 'Roaming' WITHIN the EU is regulated at fairly reasonable rates, so it is my GUESS, that such a device, once purchased, SHOULD be reusable elsewhere in Europe, on future trips ...

I would THINK that other companies probably offer similar devices, as well?? I would leave it to a knowledgable Local ( Like Tony! biggrin biggrin ) to say WHICH company offers the best Coverage, though ...

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 11:05:49 AM

yesiree · Guru

If you're looking for a mobile hotspot from a company like 02, Meteor, Vodaphone, or 3; I would skip the stick modem or mifi-type devices and pick up an inexpensive Android phone that can be turned into a hotspot.

The one I've been using from www.three.ie costs about 79 euro + a 20 euro a month "top up" (no contract required - I turn it on and off each season and could put in a new sim card from other countries)... that gives me unlimited data, lets all my wifi-enabled devices get internet access, makes Skype/Google Voice calls, and allows me to use it as a phone to ring Irish #s (you'll need to buy more "top up" credits if you make calls).

The phone itself is not so good compared to the iPhone, but once I turn it into a hotspot, I'm able to use my iPhone just like at home (except I don't let it make or accept calls - I use Skype and Google Voice/Hangouts instead).

SXM Patti · Member

I just checked out the vodafone website and the coverage seems excellent in Ireland. I don't think we are going to Northern Ireland this trip....that was the only area without coverage. Pricing is better as well compared to TEP. I prefer to use my own phone and/or ipad. So this modem might work out nice. I contacted Vodafone and will speak with their representative. Thanks for this info!

SXM Patti · Member

Where in Ireland can you pick up the Vodaphone?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Since I'm electronically challenged I'm not touching this conversation. Except to give you Vodafone's website: http://www.vodafone.ie/ Find a store: http://www.vodafone.ie/df/store-locator/

tony2phones · Guru

I did ask this on TA to see if anyone could help because I have never heard mention of it confuse ... Yes if you want to go down the Dongle/modem route then "3" is the way to go..http://www.three.ie/products_services/broadband/ But what a waste of money when your iPhone can pick up free wifi anyway.

Tesco http://shop.tescomobile.ie/our-price-plans.aspx offer the best priced "sim only" (and cheap phones) packages including 2 cent calls to the States but 3 will give more data (and a higher price). Meteor are the next consideration although their data service is limited compared to the likes of Vodafone and O2 which are readily available from a bloke called Dick Turpin with a Black horse and a mask evileye .

SXM Patti · Member

Appreciate all the great info on the wifi modems. Tony, I need to be able to receive and make phone calls using SKYPE and access email from 1PM to 9PM Monday-Friday. I can't take time to look for free wifi as we travel in a car/bus/train or eat dinner in a restaurant. I have my own business and have employees working for me....I will need to speak with them as well between 1PM to 9PM. I set up my SKYPE account to receive messages forwarded from my iPhone to my SKYPE number. When I receive a vm message, I can then return the call using SKYPE. This will save me a tremendous amount of money and time. I usually receive about 20-30 phone calls and emails daily that must be returned same day and within 20-30 minutes. When I vacationed in St. Maarten/Martin this past February for two weeks, I used the international cellular and texting plan offered through AT&T. I arrived home paying an additional $600 for the international plan while in St. Maarten. The modem will be a lot less and provide me with the service that I need....to make and receive calls on SKYPE at all times and receive/send emails. Just want to make sure that I will have good service with the modem of choice when traveling from DUBLIN to Southern Ireland and over to Shannon then back to Dublin. I also prefer to use my iPhone...also can see when calls come in.

tony2phones · Guru

Three"3" are the Rural Broadband provider so have a better general service out in the sticks. 02 is fairly good, as is Meteor calls but signal strength would be low for data outside the main Urban regions. Vodafone service is almost non existent up here without roaming, fine for calls as they have agreements in place but data would be charged at roaming rates. The 303 stick from 3 @ E19 would be fine or the mifi Lite @ E39

http://www.three.ie/online/shop/DeviceListing.aspx?tf=PrePay&p=data