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Recommendations for using cell phone in the UK

Northcowbear
Great Neighbour / Super Voisin

Since public mobile does not offer a plan for UK use can anyone suggest or recommend a SIM card to purchase that would be appropriate for short term UK use?   I thank you greatly in advance.   Brien

7 REPLIES 7

Terryscell
Model Citizen / Citoyen Modèle

Public Mobile only offers roaming in Canada and the US.

For travel in the UK and Europe, I found Giffgaff (a UK company) very good. They actually mailed a free SIM card to me in Canada!

Possibly they now have eSIM’s.

So, my account was set up before arrival there; no searching strange places to find a phone retailer. And for 5 Pounds, (about $8) we got 5G, a couple of GBs, unlimited calls and text, and EU roaming.

My wife used Lebara; similar product, but only mails SIM to UK address. 

For free calls back to Canada from overseas, we use Fongo.

BTW, strongly suggest a VPN for security when using hotel / airport WiFi.

softech
Oracle
Oracle

@Northcowbear 

Lebara Mobile is a good one, reasonably priced

Three is good and reliable, a bit pricier

Giffgaff is almost like a PM in UK, but they have good support

Airalo is one of the better Travel eSIM 

 

funpig1
Deputy Mayor / Adjoint au Maire

 

@Northcowbear 

I have used an Orange Travel esim in various European countries including Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and the UK. You can buy an esim or sim in different sizes of data for periods between 14 or 30 days. I like Orange because they provide a European telephone number which allows me to make unlimited regular telephone calls and text anywhere in Europe. There are also limited international minutes and texts to make a regular call or text back to Canada. Most other esims only have data but no call or text. I also have WhatsApp set up on my phone and use the mobile data or Wi-Fi to communicate with my friends using the same app. Good luck.

https://travel.orange.com/en?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwr7ayBhAPEiwA6EIGxLKBVTYC65VS6ah_F25FiDF-8_2l...

BKNS27
Mayor / Maire

@Northcowbear 

If you and your friends are on WhatsApp. You can use it on wifi for free calling and texting.

hairbag1
Mayor / Maire

@Northcowbear 

download free voip app like TextNow. You'll select a free Cdn number, you'll be able to send/rec calls & texts for free using your local wifi or separately purchased data.

risksmart
Great Neighbour / Super Voisin

https://www.simoptions.com/esim-europe/?gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7v2RrYaQhAMVP2tHAR1cAg1iEAAYA...

Every country option available. In April I bought 28 day e-sim with 50gig 5G data plus unlimited calls in 39 countries (incl UK) for $50 Cdn. Simple and worked well

Sansan
Mayor / Maire

@Northcowbear  you could try airalo. 

Or use wifi where available. 

https://www.airalo.com/

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