Orange

[Plavt]

Has anybody here (UK nationals) ever used an orange phone in Singapore or anywhere else abroad? What was the service/reception like? I used to have O2 which worked well in Singapore but didn't like the way they kept adding services with charges that I never asked for.

[Deefa]

It doesn't matter what network you are connected to as long as they allow partner roaming.

All uk CellCo's allow roaming to all Singa CellCo networks so you will have no issues with signal. You should also get GPRS, Blackberry and 3G services if you currently subscribe to them in the UK.

Worth having a chat with Lemmon in the UK before you leave to find out if they have a "partner network" in singa that will give you cheaper call costs though and ensure you lock to that one, otherwise just let the phone auto roam, it will always lock to the strongest network for your location

HTH

[Plavt]

I know about partner roaming, I am wondering what the reception/transmission is like. Here in the UK there have been times when the call kept breaking up and often callers sound 'tinny'. That wasn't the case with O2 but I don't like them for the reasons stated.

[ukdesigner]

I used to be on orange and to be honest they were abysmal. They charge you a fortune for roaming about £1.50 upwards per minute for each end, so you pay that and the person you ring also pays that.

I have found vodafone to be far better. 60p a minute for me only and reception and clarity of calls much better.

Vodafone have proper partners out here whereas Orange just have associations. I think vodafone are connected with M1.

I have never been with 02 so can't pass comment on them but if I were you I'd ditch Orange in a flash. poor service, over priced and bad reception (even in the uk).

Just my tuppence worth!

[Plavt]

Thanks UK designer look like your right; bad reception seems to be a problem with them and I haven't used their service abroad yet. O2 was expensive but the reception was good in Singapore - cost a bomb though.

[Saint]

Plavt, depending on how long you'll be in Singapore, it's cheaper just to get a pay as you go Singapore SIM card. That's what we do and is so much cheaper!

[Plavt]

Thanks Saint sounds like a good idea, will give it a try next time I'm there.

[Saint]

Thanks Saint sounds like a good idea, will give it a try next time I'm there.

But you'll have to stick with O2 as they are they only UK provider who's mobiles are unlocked to any network. All the others you have to get unlocked so you can use another networks SIM card

[Plavt]

Okie, I have an O2 pay-as-you go phone too so hopefully there shouldn't be a problem.