Using iPhone while temporarily in the UK

OuiOui · 28-07-2009, 1:59 PM

I'll coming to the UK for a couple of weeks and would like to avoid roaming costs. I'm assuming the best bet is to buy a PAYG SIM and therefore use a temporary UK number. But I'd like to have reasonable "unlimited" internet access either included or as a cost-effective add-on pack.
I'd appreciate advice on which operators / shops offer the best solutions.
Thanks anyone who can advise!

premaru · 28-07-2009, 3:36 PM

3 - Home

You can get a PAYG SIM free which gives you unlimited internet for £5 a month, FREE voicemail etc

chelsea.tone · 28-07-2009, 3:41 PM

o2 Pay As You Go. Top up £10 = free wi-fi/ internet for 12 months with no need to top up again

eaglemmoomin · 28-07-2009, 3:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

o2 Pay As You Go. Top up £10 = free wi-fi/ internet for 12 months with no need to top up again

Plus the cost of new IPhone GS of course......

I'm assuming the OPs Iphone is already unlocked. Otherwise would'nt they be stuck with whoever partners their existing provider.

chelsea.tone · 28-07-2009, 3:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglemmoomin

Plus the cost of new IPhone GS of course......

I'm assuming the OPs Iphone is already unlocked. Otherwise would'nt they be stuck with whoever partners their existing provider.

Get them from ebay or on here

*UEF* · 28-07-2009, 4:34 PM

Yeah, Ebay for that SIM and make sure you unlock it before you get here.

chelsea.tone · 28-07-2009, 4:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UEF

Yeah, Ebay for that SIM and make sure you unlock it before you get here.

Most (if not all) European iPhones are factory unlocked.

OuiOui · 28-07-2009, 7:08 PM

Thanks for the advice, looks like o2 payg + top up is the best route then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

Most (if not all) European iPhones are factory unlocked.

AFAIK the only European country where iPhones have to be sold unlocked is Belgium.

Here in France you have the option of buying them unlocked but, without the operator subsidy, they cost about double the price you pay if you buy with a 12 or 24 month contract.

However operators have a legal obligation to provide an official unlock for free after 6 months and this is done, in partnership with Apple, via iTunes. If you can't wait 6 months you can pay the operator 75 - 100 euros to do it.

(I'm talking about OFFICIAL unlocking, not other solutions which I'm not sure if we're allowed to discuss here).

RobM · 28-07-2009, 7:12 PM

Italian iPhones are unlocked also.

digi9 · 29-07-2009, 4:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

o2 Pay As You Go. Top up £10 = free wi-fi/ internet for 12 months with no need to top up again

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I think he already have an iPhone and want to use it here in the UK with a local SIM. Your advice seems to suggest him to buy a brand new iPhone PAYG and top it up for £10 for the use of internet while he is here.

I'm new on O2 so could not agree or disagree on either - perhaps there is indeed such a PAYG SIM with FREE 12 months data usages.

RobM · 29-07-2009, 7:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi9

I'm new on O2 so could not agree or disagree on either - perhaps there is indeed such a PAYG SIM with FREE 12 months data usages.

That's absolutely the case

The PAYG iPhone (and only this) comes with a years free unlimited data and WiFi once you've topped it up and activated the SIM.

After the year is up, you can maintain this free data and WiFi by topping up a minimum of £10 per month.

Check it out on the O2 website

OuiOui · 29-07-2009, 8:38 AM

Yes I do already have an (unlocked) iPhone, I just need to get a UK SIM for cost effective internet access whilst over in the UK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobM83

Check it out on the O2 website

I've checked out the website. I'm a bit confused

It seems you get "SIM Only" for £9.79
then £7.34 each per month for unlimited web and Wi-Fi bolt ons.
Is that what you were referring to?
Thanks for helping.

Desmo · 29-07-2009, 8:47 AM

O2 Simplicity would be a good bet. It's a monthly contract SIM only account. You'll get inclusive minutes and text and can then add on the data bolt on. Should cost less than £20 all in. Just make sure you cancel as it IS a rolling contract. Not sure what the notice period is for cancellation though.

Desmo · 29-07-2009, 8:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

then £7.34 each per month for unlimited web and Wi-Fi bolt ons.

If that's from the Simplicity tariff then I think you can only get either web OR wifi, not both for that price.

RobM · 29-07-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

I've checked out the website. I'm a bit confused

It seems you get "SIM Only" for £9.79
then £7.34 each per month for unlimited web and Wi-Fi bolt ons.
Is that what you were referring to?
Thanks for helping.

Sorry, I've probably confused matters here... I was referring to the PAYG SIM that comes with PAYG iPhones.

Although, these are often up for sale in the classifieds here from users who have bought a PAYG iPhone and used an existing contract SIM in them.

OuiOui · 29-07-2009, 3:39 PM

Thanks RobM83.

Sorry you're probably being very clear and I'm just being a bit thick here ...

So if I understand you correctly I need to find someone selling a Sim that originally came bundled with a PAYG iPhone from O2, then just get that £10 bolt-on for unlimited internet access.

I've looked and, yes, I see there are quite a few for sale on eBay.co.uk but I haven't tracked down any sellers that ship outside the UK yet.

Can I also assume (I haven't often come back to the UK in recent years) that free WiFi is now fairly prevalent in the UK or that I can also add the WiFi bolt-on because Desmo says this is probably not compatible though he was talking about the Simplicity tarrifs which appear to be a separate issue?

Thanks again

*UEF* · 29-07-2009, 3:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

Thanks RobM83.

Sorry you're probably being very clear and I'm just being a bit thick here ...

So if I understand you correctly I need to find someone selling a Sim that originally came bundled with a PAYG iPhone from O2, then just get that £10 bolt-on for unlimited internet access.

I've looked and, yes, I see there are quite a few for sale on eBay.co.uk but I haven't tracked down any sellers that ship outside the UK yet.

Can I also assume (I haven't often come back to the UK in recent years) that free WiFi is now fairly prevalent in the UK or that I can also add the WiFi bolt-on because Desmo says this is probably not compatible though he was talking about the Simplicity tarrifs which appear to be a separate issue?

Thanks again

The PAYG sims already have the "bolt on" as it were - you just need to have put a minimum of £10 on them (I had to do this at the point of sale though, so it may already have it)

There are a lot of wifi spots in cities but its not what I'd call reliable - I sometimes have a scan if I'm in a hotel in an area where 3G/Edge isn't up to scratch. Other times just get by happily on 3G.

chelsea.tone · 29-07-2009, 4:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi9

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I think he already have an iPhone and want to use it here in the UK with a local SIM. Your advice seems to suggest him to buy a brand new iPhone PAYG and top it up for £10 for the use of internet while he is here.

I'm new on O2 so could not agree or disagree on either - perhaps there is indeed such a PAYG SIM with FREE 12 months data usages.

Wrong ! Buy the sim ONLY

StevieDvd · 29-07-2009, 4:13 PM

I keep harping on about it, but so far no-one has either confirmed or denied it working for them..

When I bought a used iphone I went into the o2 shop and asked for a payg sim for the iphone, they just asked me to top up with £10 which I did. I did have the iphone with me but they did not ask to see it.

So why pay an Ebay seller for a free sim unless it contains a top-up for at least the purchase cost?

It's been working fine for both 3G and wireless ever since. Still has a little credit and have not topped it up since the first £10.

*UEF* · 29-07-2009, 4:22 PM

Shame someone can't work out some sort of dualsim adaptor to get the data off one SIM and the voice off another - that would rock

OuiOui · 29-07-2009, 6:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

... why pay an Ebay seller for a free sim unless it contains a top-up for at least the purchase cost?

Unless I'm missing the point (very possible!!!) it seems like the other posters believe that there's something special about the SIMs originally supplied with PAYG iPhones from O2, i.e. they're not the same as the bare PAYG SIMs you can get from O2 shops.

Now you seem to be saying -- and demonstrating -- that any PAYG O2 SIM will suffice. Very confusing!!!

jont · 29-07-2009, 7:29 PM

I have my PAYG sim from my PAYG iPhone 3Gs which I'm not using - PM me ...

Jon

*UEF* · 29-07-2009, 7:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

Unless I'm missing the point (very possible!!!) it seems like the other posters believe that there's something special about the SIMs originally supplied with PAYG iPhones from O2, i.e. they're not the same as the bare PAYG SIMs you can get from O2 shops.

Now you seem to be saying -- and demonstrating -- that any PAYG O2 SIM will suffice. Very confusing!!!

Oh no, it definitely needs to be one from an iPhone - i.e. one that someone has paid £530 at some point to get. Definitely not a normal one. Hence the offer

PaulieT · 30-07-2009, 9:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UEF

Oh no, it definitely needs to be one from an iPhone - i.e. one that someone has paid £530 at some point to get. Definitely not a normal one. Hence the offer

I'm not sure that is true...

If (as I've done) you buy a PAYG iphone 3gs and do not want the included PAYG sim you can purchase a simplicity SIM (which I believe will work in any unlocked phone). I just happen to put it in the iphone.
Then for just under £20 per month (on a 1 month rolling contract) you get 600 mins, 600 texts (or 1200 via online subscription) plus a bolt-on of your choosing.. link

or you could spend less and get less .. depends upon your needs

StevieDvd · 30-07-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

Unless I'm missing the point (very possible!!!) it seems like the other posters believe that there's something special about the SIMs originally supplied with PAYG iPhones from O2, i.e. they're not the same as the bare PAYG SIMs you can get from O2 shops.

Now you seem to be saying -- and demonstrating -- that any PAYG O2 SIM will suffice. Very confusing!!!

No I'm saying you can get the 'Iphone PAYG sim' from an O2 shop without buying an Iphone, just need to pay for the top there & then.

OuiOui · 30-07-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

No I'm saying you can get the 'Iphone PAYG sim' from an O2 shop without buying an Iphone, just need to pay for the top there & then.

Oh I see, O2 shops stock 2 varieties of PAYG SIMs: iPhone and non-Iphone ones and you just have to ask for the iPhone variety. And they're actually free and you just pay the £10 for the top up to get unlimited fair use internet. Have I got it right this time ... at last

?

RobM · 30-07-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OuiOui

Oh I see, O2 shops stock 2 varieties of PAYG SIMs: iPhone and non-Iphone ones and you just have to ask for the iPhone variety. And they're actually free and you just pay the £10 for the top up to get unlimited fair use internet. Have I got it right this time ... at last

?

No

When you buy an iPhone on PAYG, it comes with a SIM. This is the only way to get the iPhone PAYG SIM which is unique to the iPhone.

Many people, like myself, bought the PAYG iPhone 3GS as we already had a contract (or wanted to use Simplicity) so have no need for the SIM, this is why you see them for sale.

*UEF* · 30-07-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobM83

No

When you buy an iPhone on PAYG, it comes with a SIM. This is the only way to get the iPhone PAYG SIM which is unique to the iPhone.

Many people, like myself, bought the PAYG iPhone 3GS as we already had a contract (or wanted to use Simplicity) so have no need for the SIM, this is why you see them for sale.

Spot on.

A PAYG sim which has, at some point, come with a a PAYG iPhone is the only way to get unlimited data for £10 for 12 months. After that, you're on your own!

StevieDvd · 31-07-2009, 8:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobM83

No

When you buy an iPhone on PAYG, it comes with a SIM. This is the only way to get the iPhone PAYG SIM which is unique to the iPhone...

I got mine from an O2 shop without buying the phone!

Perhaps I have a nice smile

RobM · 01-08-2009, 5:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

I got mine from an O2 shop without buying the phone!

Perhaps I have a nice smile

With unlimited data and WiFi? In the iPhone envelope it comes in? Or did you get an O2 SIM with Bolt On's to give you free data?