picture_girl

Interested in buying a cell phone for temporary use in the UK.

Anyone ever used mobalrental.com or rangeroamer.com?

Did you have any issues? Do you have a preference?

I want a phone that I can call my local friends in UK and my friends back in USA while I am there.

Thank you!

Robespierre

With telestial.com selling unlocked phones for $40, I don't see much point to renting.

With a free SIM from http://www.t-mobilesimgiveaway.co.uk...d=ON-TM-W-Home you can do everything you mentioned.

Virgin Mobile also has a free SIM: http://www.virginmobile.co.uk/promo/duoSim.html

Both carriers require a UK address, but you can use your hotel's.

mikerank08

why dont u try looking at travelcell.com they have phones available for use in the UK.I rented a phone from them and its was cheap and worked great.

Robespierre

Travelcell gets $15 a week + $2.50 a day + $20 shipping + airtime <I>every time you travel</i>.

And you <U>don't even own the phone!</u>

None for me, thanks.

ira

Hi PG,

Mobal has very high per minute rates. I would recommend them only for emergency use.

cubes

pg- just use your cell with a local SIM.

Robespierre

Local SIMs are always an option - but you can use up half your vacation getting one and setting it up when you arrive in each country - plus your phone number is constantly changing. I'd say: pick one that covers all the countries you will visit, based on minimum outlay for the chip and the kind of airtime you will need (in-country, US, texting). Some "out of network" fees are absolutely obscene, but many are quite reasonable.

Robespierre

It should be added that when you buy a one-country SIM, the cost of acquiring it is essentially wasted when you move on to another country. There will probably be airtime left on it, but you can use that up (albeit at exorbitant rates) at the next stop.