UK mobile/wireless access?

[dosborn]

I am spending three weeks in the UK and wonder if there is a better way than exorbitant international roaming to get mobile and more importantly wireless broadband access when I'm there?

Many thanks

 

[Mal]

Pay As You Go (prepaid) sims are available everywhere. Plenty of choice of carriers, and can be topped up in small stores, supermarkets etc.

You may be asked to register the sim when you purchase it, although I don't think this is very common.

Pay As you Go Mobile Broadband likewise is common. Do you already have an unlocked USB modem? It can be tricky to top up some mobile broadband accounts, unless you have a UK issued credit card/debit card - or at least that's what I found a year ago.

Plenty of competition, and thus choice and cheap prices in both mobile sims and mobile broadband.

O2 , T-Mobile, Three, Orange are the main carriers, with plenty of other smaller carriers reselling their services.

 

[samh004]

It can be tricky to top up some mobile broadband accounts, unless you have a UK issued credit card/debit card - or at least that's what I found a year ago.

I found it tricky too, complete BS that they only accept UK cards! Even worse, some deals required I set up a direct debit from a UK based bank card or I couldn’t get the offer, I don’t know why they wouldn’t just accept cash.

On the 3G USB Dongle route I found Three was offering 15GB for £15, which beat Vodafone’s 3GB for £15.

I used a Vodafone SIM in my iPhone, but had to tweak the setting to activate data as they didn’t work out of the box… they were being a bit cheap there.

 

[drewbles]

Might want to check out http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ternet/uk-mobile-pre-paid-internet-23121.html in the communication and internet section

 

[JetLagged]

I have a pas-as-you-go UK phone with Orange - and arrange with any aussie mates to ring that number so they pay for the actual call costs. Orange is dodgy here with coverage, but it has very good coverage in the UK.

Check where you are staying in the UK for their broadband connections - a lot more places are switnging on to free broadband access - though some hotel chains are still highly exhorbitant (looking right at you, Sheraton!) Also, plenty of places such as MacDonalds and other food places offer free wireless. Use mine to also Skype - which cuts down the cost of phone connection tremdendously!

 

[simongr]

Starbucks do free wifi if you have a starbucks card. Basically prepay a few quid on a card and get free wifi then use the card to buy the coffee/water/juice to drink whilst you surf. Yes I know Australian's hate Starbucks and you can't get a good coffee in the UK (just try getting good regular tea here) but you can at least drink starbucks water.