speedking

We're going to Ireland later in the year. Would like mobile phones so we can contact family members while there (mobile to mobile). Currently on Orange PAYG.

I presume that if we use our UK phones, then every call will be international charged at £3/min or something ridiculous?

So what is the best thing to do? Can we buy phones there? Can we just buy SIM cards and use our current orange phones? Don't need internet access / camera / MP3 etc.

Have PMRs for short range so don't suppose the phones will get used a lot.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

mal_howarth

Northern or Southern ? Northen is the same as being in UK

speedking

Republic of Ireland.

Need local mobile to mobile communication.

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

Orange is not available over there. I was in Dublin at march.
They have 3 over there. and O2. Probably best off getting your current phone unlocked, and buying a cheap Irish sim over there.
If you plan ahead, you could probably go to o2 Irelands website and get a couple sent to you for free.

ChrisB

Orange suggest 38p/minute to make a call back to the UK and 19p/min to recieve in Ireland.

Would need to make a few calls to add to even a cheap PAYG mobile. I guess you might be able to get a PAYG SIM over there to stick in your existing phones.

urban

iTrader: (1)

O2 if I remember correctly do not charge roaming charges between North and South.
North means UK, so in that respect you should be OK.

speedking

Thanks for that info. That's not too bad. But of course the calling phone will be charged 38p and the reciveing phone 19p = 57p/min. But even 30 minutes in a week would only be £17.

If they don't have Orange, can I top up locally, or would that have to be done via the Internet if necessary?

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

Or get two FREE o2 sim cards, pay as you go and if you top up 20€ on one, you get free calls to 10 o2 numbers:
- O2 - Speakeasy prepay - My favourite numbers
You can get the free sim cards, up to 5, here: O2 - Sim Order

speedking

We only deliver within the Republic of Ireland

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

Are you staying with family you have in Ireland? Get them sent there.
If not, I'm sure you can pick them up from the phone shops over there.
I even saw an international PAYG sim in a vending machine before.
Or even........ebay:
o2 sim ireland, Sim Cards, Mobile Home Phones items at low prices on eBay.co.uk

bpm1588

im from northern ireland myself and live right on the border.my net work changes from uk o2 too o2 ireland all the time....sometimes when i walk from one end of the house too the other!

i sugest you just get yourself a free o2 sim"uk" and use that,unless you are a real busby i can't see you finding any problems or getting crazy bills,i think you can add a bolt-on as well for cheaper international calls from ireland.