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If your mobile phone is your life line and you can’t bear the thought of being without it, you will want to make sure that it will work when you bring it with you to London.
Will My Mobile Phone Work in London?
Because different countries use different frequencies to transmit calls, not all phones will work in the UK. The more frequency bands your phone can use; the more countries it can work in. you can find out what bands your phone can use by looking in the phone’s user manual.
In the UK you will need a dual-band, Tri-band or Quad-band phone for it to work successfully.
Call your current network to inform them that you will be travelling to the UK. They can set up your account so your phone will be ready to use when you arrive. When you contact your network service provider they will:
- Set up roaming on your account so your phone will work in the UK
- Offer you an additional Bolt-On to save money on your calls when you are away
- Offer a cap on your phone to cut you off if you reach a certain credit limit whilst roaming
Using the Internet on Your Mobile Phone
If you use the internet on your phone, make sure you know how much it costs and how to turn off automatic downloads before you travel.
Mobile internet is more expensive when you travel abroad. This is because:
- Most mobile phone contracts are only for using your phone in your home country
- Your tariff and any data bundles included in it are only valid in your home country
- When you travel to the UK, your network needs to connect you to a foreign network in order for the phone to be useable. This means you are actually paying for two services.
If you wish to use your internet while in the UK, there are some cost effective ways to ensure you still enjoy the service:
While You Are in The UK
Turn off your voicemail service on your phone. You will be charged when your phone diverts a call to voicemail. This is because your phone is receiving the call and then making one back home to record the message.
On some mobile phones there is the option to forward all your calls to another number when you are roaming. Check your phones manual for more information.
Your phone will usually pick up the UK network immediately. If it doesn’t you may need to search for it yourself – you can usually do this by selecting Settings>Networks on your handset.
You will be charged for receiving calls as well as making them. This can be very expensive so you need to ensure you manage the calls you make carefully and don’t use your call limit to budget.
If you are needing to make calls, or if anyone needs to reach you, then you need to be aware that the UK dialling code is +44 (which replaces the 0). Check your own countries dialling code before your travel so you can keep it handy.
Roaming charges vary between countries and networks. Visitors from other countries, for example, will be paying in the region of:
- 24p per minute to make a call
- 7p per minute to receive a call
- 8p to send a SMS text message
If you are staying in London for a long time you may consider buying a temporary pay-as-you-go sim card when you arrive to keep costs down that little bit further. These are available from any mobile phone shop and allows you to make calls and send text messages at the local rate. If you do purchase a pay-as-you-go sim card you can top up the credit online, from some newsagents or phone shops, or on your phone (using a credit or debit card).
When You Return Home
If you changed your voicemail settings, change them back.
Your international call charges will be added to your bill as soon as they arrive from the UK network. This can take up to 6 weeks so your next bill may not include all these charges.
Different countries charge for calls in different increments – some by the second and some by the minute.
Great Apps for Use in London
When visiting London, especially for the first time, it can be very daunting. Before you visit, and to keep charges down for installation, download these free apps onto your phone to help you get around the city easier.
- London Official City Guide App
This free London App – on iPhone and android – helps you make the most of your time in London while on the move. Features include offline maps, weather, restaurant and bar recommendations, guides and travel information all without roaming charges.
- Citymapper London App
The Citymapper app simplifies public transport in London by providing up-to-the-minute information and multiple route options. Features include disruptions, offline maps, prices, taxi fares and even calorie burn counts.
- Riverside London App
From Lambeth Bridge to Tower Bridge, explore the cultural heart of London with the help of this free app for iPhone and Android. Includes event and restaurant listings and info on the best London landmarks and attractions.
The post Cost Effective Ways of Using a Mobile Phone in London If Travelling from Another Country appeared first on Pommie Travels.
Source: pommietravels.com