London - Calling Canada with a phone card.
Aug 1st, 2008, 06:44 AM
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London - Calling Canada with a phone card.
I will be in London in 2 weeks time, I need to buy a reliable phone card to call Canada. I will be calling several different numbers and will need to talk for a short time. Which phone card would fodorites recommend?
Aug 3rd, 2008, 10:13 AM
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Aug 3rd, 2008, 10:33 AM
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I just go to a "corner store" type establishment in London, and ask the cashier what calling card is best for Canada.
If you use them from payphones, they won't last nearly as long as if you are able to use them from a regular landline. From a regular landline, the cost will be just a few pennies per minute.
If you use them from payphones, they won't last nearly as long as if you are able to use them from a regular landline. From a regular landline, the cost will be just a few pennies per minute.
Aug 3rd, 2008, 10:38 AM
#6
Post office or corner shop - really not much difference. Just get a £5 phone card that is good for Canada. There are different brand names but most work about the same for about the same rates.
Just ask which brand they have in stock that has the best rates for Canada. It will also be good for other calls (w/i the UK or to other countries)
Just ask which brand they have in stock that has the best rates for Canada. It will also be good for other calls (w/i the UK or to other countries)
Aug 3rd, 2008, 12:20 PM
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Do you have a Canadian cell phone?
Is it a tri band gsm phone?
Is it unlocked?
All these things can easily be accomplished.
If so (or you can borrow one), then youwon't need a calling card.
You can have a T Mobile UK sim card package delivered to your hotel for free (or you can buy one...I think it is free if you buy a certain amount of time) then
look at yourcallworld.com
With a T Mobile UK sim card, you can dial the triggering number at yourcallworld and pay 3p/minute to call Canada...and people can reach you for free!
Is it a tri band gsm phone?
Is it unlocked?
All these things can easily be accomplished.
If so (or you can borrow one), then youwon't need a calling card.
You can have a T Mobile UK sim card package delivered to your hotel for free (or you can buy one...I think it is free if you buy a certain amount of time) then
look at yourcallworld.com
With a T Mobile UK sim card, you can dial the triggering number at yourcallworld and pay 3p/minute to call Canada...and people can reach you for free!
Aug 3rd, 2008, 01:05 PM
#8
Even if you DO have a tri band gsm cell phone - a calling card is cheaper . . . . .
High tech isn't automatically the best option
(my guess is, if the OP has a tri-band phone he wouldn't be asking about a phone card)
High tech isn't automatically the best option
(my guess is, if the OP has a tri-band phone he wouldn't be asking about a phone card)
Aug 3rd, 2008, 01:47 PM
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Well I'll tell you janisi..I don't necessarily disagree with you but you sure have to go a long way to beat 3p/minute!
Also, one should be aware that different calling cards have different triggering numbers..some have a local London triggering number starting with 020...the phone you are calling from in that case might charge you for a local London call.
Or you might get a toll free number, usually starting with 0800 or 00800 or some othert toll free number. They may or may not be free from a public phone and some hotels may charge or may not charge.
This is something you don't really know till you do some investigating and ask around.
Also if London is anything like New York, you will find public phones becomes scarcer and scarcer as every 10 year old kid walks around today with a mobile phone and the public phone business is in the midst of a big downer.
None of these are reasons to totally preclude a phone card of course.
But since many people already have unlocked gsm phones with the 1800 mhz. frequency on which T Mobile UK operates, it's a very viable competitive solution.
Admitedly if you don't already have the phone, it is a bit more expensive!
Besides, with a mobile, you get the free reception of calls 24/7 something a calling card can't provide!
Also, one should be aware that different calling cards have different triggering numbers..some have a local London triggering number starting with 020...the phone you are calling from in that case might charge you for a local London call.
Or you might get a toll free number, usually starting with 0800 or 00800 or some othert toll free number. They may or may not be free from a public phone and some hotels may charge or may not charge.
This is something you don't really know till you do some investigating and ask around.
Also if London is anything like New York, you will find public phones becomes scarcer and scarcer as every 10 year old kid walks around today with a mobile phone and the public phone business is in the midst of a big downer.
None of these are reasons to totally preclude a phone card of course.
But since many people already have unlocked gsm phones with the 1800 mhz. frequency on which T Mobile UK operates, it's a very viable competitive solution.
Admitedly if you don't already have the phone, it is a bit more expensive!
Besides, with a mobile, you get the free reception of calls 24/7 something a calling card can't provide!
Aug 3rd, 2008, 04:05 PM
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It certainly was...but what's so terrible about making what might be a more convenient suggestion
(Of course with a laptop, there are always voip's...didn't make that suggestion did I)..
The fact is many people, perhaps unknowingly, may very well already have a tri or quad band gsm phone from their providers which can easily be unlocked and the T Mobile UK solution may well prove easier than a phone card and almost as cheap!
Apologies if you think it is not proper to make an alternate suggestion!
(Of course with a laptop, there are always voip's...didn't make that suggestion did I)..
The fact is many people, perhaps unknowingly, may very well already have a tri or quad band gsm phone from their providers which can easily be unlocked and the T Mobile UK solution may well prove easier than a phone card and almost as cheap!
Apologies if you think it is not proper to make an alternate suggestion!
Aug 8th, 2008, 07:45 AM
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Thanks for all the feedback, xyz123, I appreciate your suggestion to use a mobile phone, I gave up my mobile phone many years ago, I found I got too many phone calls and it just drove me nuts.
Aug 8th, 2008, 08:47 AM
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partyon...
I hear you and your feeling regarding mobile phones but...
1. you do receive calls for free on your UK mobile.
2. you can always turn it off.
But for the trip aside, and in all absolute due respect, do you drive?
I wouldn't dream of getting into an automobile in this day and age without my mobile phone just in case.....
To me, if only for that, they are nearly indispensible in the 21st century.
But by no means am I putting you down for feeling the way you do.
I hear you and your feeling regarding mobile phones but...
1. you do receive calls for free on your UK mobile.
2. you can always turn it off.
But for the trip aside, and in all absolute due respect, do you drive?
I wouldn't dream of getting into an automobile in this day and age without my mobile phone just in case.....
To me, if only for that, they are nearly indispensible in the 21st century.
But by no means am I putting you down for feeling the way you do.
