Which mobile phone for British user?

[wino]

Does anyone have any advice on mobile phone packages for expats? I have heard that SingTel is the best but they have so many options for calling internationally and I don't understand how it works!

I am likely to call the UK occasionally and potentially text there a lot.

My husband (who needs his own separate phone) needs to call to and from lots of asian countries for work plus the same as me for social calls.

Any advice most gratefully received!!

[ksl]

Does anyone have any advice on mobile phone packages for expats? I have heard that SingTel is the best but they have so many options for calling internationally and I don't understand how it works!

I am likely to call the UK occasionally and potentially text there a lot.

My husband (who needs his own separate phone) needs to call to and from lots of asian countries for work plus the same as me for social calls.

Any advice most gratefully received!!

Phone doesn't matter, service providers do, for overseas calls, you can also get a skype phone, like the N95, but the phone itself is rubbish. look around..you can also sign up with 1511.com to get cheap overseas calls, or use the skypeout. which is also very cheap.

I have a N95 I never really use, its too big, for when i go running, so a pain in the butt, (not literally)

[durain]

using a mobile to phone international will always going to be more expensive than using a landline at home.

[wino]

Thanks for that advice. I've looked on skype website and can't see any way of using it on a mobile from Singapore. But maybe this Nokia phone is an answer - though doesn't sound like you'd recommend it and I'm guessing the phone itself is expensive/unlikely to be included in a Singtel package.

Sounds like 1511 is a good option - is that what you tend to use ksl? In which case I could get any old package for my local calls and presumably dial an access number for international ones. Guess it wouldn't help with texts though.

[durain]

you can use VoIP on a mobile phone. your mobile phone need to support it (usually those using symbian OS series 60). so instead of charging you for the calls, you get charge for data.

have a look at www.pfingo.com.

[ksl]

Yes I use 1511.com for cheaper rates, better than skypeout, but more expensive too, because i don't think it is over the PC network.

Skype out is very cheap and you don't really need a phone, if you have speakers and a mic.

using a phone for skype isn't always the best, because you may wish to be hands free..so the headset and mic is cool. With skypeout, you have to pay up front into your skypeout account...although like i say you don't need phone, you can call from pc to direct line.

If you are settled in Singapore for a few years, it will pay you to buy an adapter for your phoneline, so that all your calls from the mainline, go over the Voice Over Internet protocol (VOIP) this is also cheaper than 1511.com calls.

I believe my mate in Denmark uses the grandstream VOIP, it works well because i have also tried it for overseas calls. These units are ideal for small and medium sized businesses, that make many overseas calls, probably saving 75% to 80% on costs.

The other thing is phones here are cheaper than UK, I sold my phone every time i visited UK, and made 30 to 50 pound on it.

Although I purchased the N95 on ebay for a very good deal at the time, it was unlocked with GPS maps and 2gb memory for 200 quid, had it a year and never really used it because of its bulky size, but it can make calls over skype, along with a few other phones. Although it's not easy for the novice to get sorted out.

So my recommendation would be to choose the cheapest phone plan and get a free phone..then use 1511...or skype for your overseas calls. Better still get the magic box and have it fitted to your phoneline for VOIP calls, it can be used with the computer turned off! and skype to skype are free...you only pay for skype to mobile or fixed line, with skypeout.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Any phone using Win Mobile can also run Skype. (like the O2's). I use a Dopod 900 (Another version of the O2 Exec) with WinMob 5.0 (not even 6.0 which is better). Great on wireless hotspots like Airports and McD's & Starbucks.

See our recent discussion regarding SkypeOut, and others.

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/ftopic50254.html

[wino]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Have got a webcam for skype and also planning to get a dual phone (Shiro 9500) for use at home but still investigating the mobile...