Recommend me a price plan

[peach_ blossom]

Hi guys

I'm finding it difficult to find a decent price plan that matches my needs and to be honest the salespeople in shops aren't interested in helping me, more interested in pushing something I don't need in my face.

I'm on a pre-paid sim at the moment. I make a lot of IDD calls back to the UK and $100 lasts about 7-10 days. I thought this was ok as I'd spend about the same amount in the UK on phone credit anyway but apparently this is expensive. I don't have readily available access to wi-fi at home so I don't have access to skype etc. I have an android phone so if I'm hooked up to 3G services/data packages, I can use the skype app which I'm sure would work out cheaper.

What I want is a package with data usage included but I don't want to be tied to a long contract. I know in the UK that certain providers have 'added extras' on their PAYG sim where you pay a certain amount and you get internet access. Is there anything like this in HK?

Or any other method of saving on international calls?

Many thanks

[bookblogger]

I use a land line for international calls and it's dirt cheap. I don't know about all this 3G stuff.

[PDLM]

You should buy your IDD calls entirely independently of your mobile package.

There are many options: 0060, 0080 (and its "all you can eat variant 0088), 1529, and so on. Exactly which supplier is best may depend on which destinations you call, whether landline or mobile, and whether long or short calls. For csalling to9 normal phone numbers Skype is not generally any cheaper than IDD packages. Often calling from a mobile is cheaper than from a fixed line, provided that you have enough bundled minutes in your mobile monthly plan.

[Football16]

Why not check out Skype as it is free to UK for landlines after you pay some sort of deposit. Calls to mobiles there do cost but I think it is reasonable.

[peach_ blossom]

Thanks for the replies guys. My current PAYG sim has IDD via a 0060 number and I think it's ok for calling home. I think I may just stick with it because if it's near the same to Skype then there's not much point in me signing up for a monthly mobile package that I don't need. I was thinking of getting a monthly mobile package that had data usage included so I could use the skype app on my phone but if the costs are more or less the same it seems less hassle to stick with what I have....

[pin]

Are you calling the same number in the UK?

[HUMMER 3]

I'm not sure which PAYG sim you're using, but usually, there are 2 types: (1) "free IDD" sim at ~$0.25 for local call and international call is free; (2) "local" PAYG sim at $0.06-$0.12 for local call but the IDD tariff is expensive ($2+ in your case for calling to the UK).

The 2nd one should be cheaper and more flexible, as you may choose other cheap IDD suppliers such as 009 or 0080 to provide the international call service. In your case, $100 is worth about 1000 minutes to UK, and those suppliers also have PAYG IDD plans to choose

[PDLM]

(1) "free IDD" sim at ~$0.25 for local call and international call is free;

"free" ONLY to certain countries and only to FIXED LINES in those countries (except US/Canada/Singapore/China where it includes calls to mobiles also)

(2) "local" PAYG sim at $0.06-$0.12 for local call but the IDD tariff is expensive ($2+ in your case for calling to the UK).

$2 per minute is the charge to a UK MOBILE - these are NEVER included in "free" or fixed price calling plans. Calls to UK FIXED LINE would be around $0.25-0.50/min + local airtime.

In your case, $100 is worth about 1000 minutes to UK

Maybe on some sort of limited offer. But again ONLY to FIXED LINES, and more commonly around HK$0.15-0.25/min, so 400-650 minutes for $100.

[Stu79]

If you don't want to be tied into a long contract go and speak to Smartone Vodafone. The standard contract terms are 18 months but as long as you provide your own phone you can cancel your contract with a month's notice and a $250 fee.