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UK phones/SIMs

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562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 16:23

Thanks Crissy. No, mine's not locked either Sarahlou.

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 13:10

Cowboy, how do I know if it's locked with Du? And if it is, then presumably I won't be able to use any Uk SIM card in it... I have a DU contract phone and can put a UK sim in. It isn't locked and neither was my Etisilat one

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 11:16

When you open Wattsapp with the new sim it recognizes that a new number is being used and asks if you want to update your profile. I normally select to update and then switch it back to the Dubai number when i switch that over on my return.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 19:20

Update: so I've managed to get my Blackberry SIM cut down to nano size to use in my Dubai iphone. GreAt. So now I can swap the SIM cards over when I get to the UK and continue to use my old UK number and contract. Thanks Cowboy for suggesting that - very quick and easy solution! And the phone clearly wasn't locked. I may still call Orange (or EE as it is now) to ask about SIM only packages if it will be cheaper. They can still send me a new SIM card after all. One thing I don't quite understand if you are using 2 SIM cards in one phone is what happens about Whatsapp? Can j set it up again for the UK number as the current one will be linked to the Dubai number?

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 11:13

Cowboy, how do I know if it's locked with Du? And if it is, then presumably I won't be able to use any Uk SIM card in it...

685

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 11:09

They have a sim card vending machine in Heathrow airport. Last time i checked it was a bit more expensive than buying it from central London thou. You could also try cutting your sim card to fit the iPhone. Alot of shops in dubai do it for free. It should work on your dubai iPhone as long as the phone isn't locked with du or Etisalat.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 11:01

Chrissy, that sounds like an even better option for me as I already have an Orange contract and number. I will give them a call and see if they can send me a new SIM card to the friends we are staying with first. We will also be elsewhere in Europe, so that would be great if it makes that part cheaper too. 3 also sounds like a good option SEY. I'll check that one out if the Orange idea doesn't work out.

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 10:05

If you already have a contract then it may be worth contacting the company you are with and asking the cost of 'SIM only' deals on contract and 'SIM Only' deals on pay as you go. That way they can send you the relevant sim for your phone and you get to keep the original number without any hassle. I had a contract with Orange for years so everyone in the UK already knew my number, when I arrived in Dubai i switched it to sim only contract for £10 per month which includes loads of free minutes, texts and data while in the UK and cheap minutes when in Europe. I can then use this sim card when I travel to Europe instead of using my Dubai number which tends to cost a fortune. I recently changed my UK phone to an Iphone 5 (bought here) and just contacted Orange to send me a new SIM card to fit, they sent it to a friend at no additional cost so i could collect it when I last went to the UK. My husband switch his UK contract to a sim only pay as you go and that seems to work fine for him.... he just needs to remember to top up the credit when he lands there.

943

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 June 2015 - 09:44

I have bought a 3 pay-as-you-go sim card, and then every time I go to the UK I buy a £15 add-on (All in one 15) which gives you 300 minutes, 3000 texts and "all-you-can-eat data". This add on can be used for 30 days and then expires, but I am never in the UK for longer than 3 weeks, so it works for me. Plus your UK number stays the same as you buy the sim card. I have found 3 to be the best in terms of value for money and coverage, but it may depend on your location. A huge bonus for me last time I went is that 3 has contracts with a few countries in the world where you can use your 3 sim card as a local sim card, i.e. you don't pay roaming charges. We went to Paris for 5 days and I was able to use my 3 sim card as though I had purchased a French number, and I could still utilise my free minutes, texts and data so I was pretty much using my phone for free in France.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 22:19

I'm rubbish with that sort of thing too Buddha, so will also need someone to set up for me. We land at Heathrow though, but I'm sure we'll find similar options. Thanks again.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 18:24

I land at Birmnigham and just after you pass through customs there are normally a couple of stalls selling them. If you arrive at un social time then WH smith generally have some. I think one of the booths was Lycamobile..guy set it up for me but had to pay for it in WH smith so I'm guessing you can but one at any time. I'm just a tad technologically not great so prefer someone to set up. Otherwise , find nearest supermarket..Tesco do a good pay as you go as do Sainsburys.

4393

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 17:37

Sounds like just what I need ladies. Thanks very much. Buddha, is there a particular phone shop at the airport you got yours from and any particular carrier? If you get the chance have a look on Google and see which carrier, best covers the area/areas you'll be travelling. As someone else said some are better than others.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 17:33

Sounds like just what I need ladies. Thanks very much. Buddha, is there a particular phone shop at the airport you got yours from and any particular carrier?

25

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 17:08

After I landed at the airport I drove to the nearest Tescos and got a PAYG sim there for my iPhone 5. The guy there knew what kind of sim I needed and they only had sims from EE or 3 to fit. I knew EE was not good for the areas I was going to be in, so chose 3. He then put the new sim in, (I had nothing to open the sim holder with), did the top up for me and handed back a working phone. Now all I have to do is remember to take it with me next tmonth when I go back to UK::thinking:

4000

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:36

I got a PAYG Sim from EE at first but found it very bad value for money and inferior reception in many areas, so don't recommend EE. I have had Orange in the past, its OK but now I am with Sainsbury's SIM and its amazing value and excellent coverage.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:16

Thanks chezmoi. Where did you get your SIM and is it a pay as you go? That does seem like a straight forward and cheap option. I think the iPhone 6 takes a nano SIM, but I'm sure they can advise if I take it I to a phone shop in the UK.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:14

I just pick up a sim at the airport..generally get free texts, 60mins call and 1Gb for £10.

4000

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:02

I just got a UK SIM for my Dubai iPhone and its works fine, you can get UK sims in standard micro and nano sizes so one of these should work in any of your phones. You will have an option to buy the SIM in the size you need. Here is a guide to find the right SIM for your device Three types of SIM cards, which all do the same job but differ in size. These SIMs are known as: Standard Micro Nano Every device is designed to work with a certain size, so ensure you check which one you need for your phone, tablet or mobile broadband/4G WiFi device. If you’re unsure which SIM size your device needs, you can: Read your device manual this should include advice on the correct SIM needed Read the info below on SIM sizes SIM sizes guide Standard This is the original SIM size and is mainly used in older phones and devices. Example of devices using the standard SIM: Apple- iPhone 3GS Samsung - Galaxy SII, Note Nokia - 300, 301 HTC - Desire HD EE Mobile broadband/4G WiFi - Buzzard, Osprey Micro Micro SIMs are a smaller size. These are mainly used in smartphones. If you're using a recent smartphone and it doesn't take a micro SIM, you might need a nano SIM Examples of micro SIM devices: Apple - iPhone 4/4S Apple iPad Retina Display Sony - Xperia S, T, X, Z HTC - One, One X, One SV, 8X Nokia - N9, Lumia 720/820 Samsung - Galaxy Express, SIII, S4, Note II Nano Used with the latest Apple devices, this is the smallest size out of the three. Examples of nano SIM devices: Apple - iPhone 5, 5c, 5s and iPad Mini HTC - One (M8) HTC Desire 610 Multi and Combi SIMs Multi SIM This is the latest type of SIM card, which holds all three formats (standard, micro and nano) in one. Combi SIM This SIM card can hold either a standard SIM or a micro SIM. hth

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 15:12

UK ladies, just wondering what you do phone-wise when you go back home For holidays? I have a Uk phone/SIM card and contract which I have always just switched over to when in the UK. However,the phone seems to have suddenly died a death! The SIm won't fit in my Dubai phone as one is an old Blackberry and the other an iPhone 6. I'm thinking about options and wondered what everyone else does. Can I get a new UK SIM to fit my iPhone and if so will it work in my Dubai iphone? Or will I need to buy another phone over there (don't want to have to do this on cost grounds if it can be avoided). Also, pay-as-you-go versus existing contract? I've not had to think about this before as I've just let the contract run, but will need to do something now! In the past my Dubai phone has not worked in the UK so I've had to rely on the UK one. It should work (set up for roaming) but doesn't.

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