Going to UK for six months, iPhone 5 help

[Dylatron2000]

After reading this thread : http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1491664 it got me thinking about my situation coming up...

I live in NC currently and am studying abroad in London from January to June and I have an iPhone 5 on Verizon, and do not know what to do for a phone while I'm in the UK......

I know that just using my phone normally will be RIDICULOUSLY expensive so I am gonna try to stick to using it in airplane mode and only use wifi for stuff like imessage and apps and what not.

But I am asking if I can put in an international sim card (which one would be best?) and use it for local texting and calls where imessage wouldn't be usable.

Otherwise I could just use my iP5 as a glorified iPod touch and get a pay as you go phone (which has been recommended to me by a few people)

thanks in advance and sorry in advance if this has been asked a bunch before.

[PharmDoc]

I like Three's All-In-one plan which costs £15 and gives you 300 min, 3000 texts and unlimited data when I visit the UK. It's a PAYG plan so no contracts to sign.

[darster]

The verizon iphone is unlocked. As long as you can find a nanosim over there, you will be good to go.

[Dylatron2000]

Originally Posted by PharmDoc

I like Three's All-In-one plan which costs £15 and gives you 300 min, 3000 texts and unlimited data when I visit the UK. It's a PAYG plan so no contracts to sign.

that sounds like an awesome plan! Is this a whole phone device or a sim to put in my current phone?

[iphonehype]

Originally Posted by Dylatron2000

that sounds like an awesome plan! Is this a whole phone device or a sim to put in my current phone?

Its a SIM card you simply insert into the iPhone 5. As soon as you land, pop into your local Carphone Warehouse, and explain the situation to them they will sort you out!

[Vundu]

Order a GiffGaff sim before you go.

[bandofbrothers]

Each Network provides pay as you go nano sims in the Uk which are normally free if you order one online or call in to a network shop.

A network like 02 will ask you to put £10 onto the card before you leave the shop. This is then used as credit on the sim.

Ask whoever you know where your going to be in the Uk which network provides the strongest signal , as a really good bundle is useless without good signal !

Obviously ensure your iphone 5 will accept another networks sim too.

Lastly enjoy your stay here.

[stridemat]

OP have you thought about ringing up your current provider to see if you can 'freeze' your current contract?

[LoloBond]

Originally Posted by stridemat

OP have you thought about ringing up your current provider to see if you can 'freeze' your current contract?

I was about to say that... OP you can put your line on hold for free online that way you don't get charge. If you dont know how to do it, call and have the rep guide you... other wise Verizon charge $15 to do it over the phone.

[hvfsl]

Can you actually use that phone in the UK? It was my understanding that it is a CDMA model, so it won't work on UK 3G GSM networks.

[tomjleeds]

Originally Posted by hvfsl

Can you actually use that phone in the UK? It was my understanding that it is a CDMA model, so it won't work on UK 3G GSM networks.

From Apple site:

GSM model A1428*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 4 and 17)

CDMA model A1429*: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)

GSM model A1429*: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5)

Looks like it's only LTE which won't be available, and let's face it, that's not much of a loss at this point!

[Dylatron2000]

Originally Posted by Vundu

Order a GiffGaff sim before you go.

I know this thread is kinda dead but I just now looked into GiffGaff, how is the service on them? The £12 a month unlimited web, texts and 250 talk minutes sounds like my kind of plan exactly, but if service is ****** then I wont even bother....

[Jtludwig]

Originally Posted by hvfsl

Can you actually use that phone in the UK? It was my understanding that it is a CDMA model, so it won't work on UK 3G GSM networks.

Your "understanding" shows a complete lack of "understanding".

Ever since the 4S, the Verizon and Sprint versions have had GSM capability as well.

[bandofbrothers]

Originally Posted by Dylatron2000

I know this thread is kinda dead but I just now looked into GiffGaff, how is the service on them? The £12 a month unlimited web, texts and 250 talk minutes sounds like my kind of plan exactly, but if service is ****** then I wont even bother....

Why not order a free giff gaff SIM card from their home page.

Put a £10 on not to activate it and give it a go for a period of say a week where you reside and work.

Then if alls ok commit.

If you have friends or family on that network and then ask them and also take an look at the forums giff gaff users are talking in.

[stridemat]

Originally Posted by Dylatron2000

I know this thread is kinda dead but I just now looked into GiffGaff, how is the service on them? The £12 a month unlimited web, texts and 250 talk minutes sounds like my kind of plan exactly, but if service is ****** then I wont even bother....

It's on the O2 network, so one of the larger mobile networks.

[greenyoga]

Originally Posted by darster

The verizon iphone is unlocked. As long as you can find a nanosim over there, you will be good to go.

Agree...

[JaySoul]

Originally Posted by Dylatron2000

I know this thread is kinda dead but I just now looked into GiffGaff, how is the service on them? The £12 a month unlimited web, texts and 250 talk minutes sounds like my kind of plan exactly, but if service is ****** then I wont even bother....

Hey mate.

I've been on O2 for 4 years, the network service is fine, but got messed around by their customer services badly, so recently decided to leave.

I've just moved to GiffGaff, and have the £12 a month deal. Really impressed, much cheaper than O2 and it uses their network anyway. The Unlimited Data is a killer feature.

Got sent a free nanosim for my iPhone 5. Can fully recommend.

[Dylatron2000]

Originally Posted by JaySoul

Hey mate.

I've been on O2 for 4 years, the network service is fine, but got messed around by their customer services badly, so recently decided to leave.

I've just moved to GiffGaff, and have the £12 a month deal. Really impressed, much cheaper than O2 and it uses their network anyway. The Unlimited Data is a killer feature.

Got sent a free nanosim for my iPhone 5. Can fully recommend.

Sweet! Yeah I think I'm gonna do that, I move in around january 15ish so as soon as I get my apartment I will order it, I really didn't want to get another phone so this is awesome.

[JaySoul]

Originally Posted by Dylatron2000

Sweet! Yeah I think I'm gonna do that, I move in around january 15ish so as soon as I get my apartment I will order it, I really didn't want to get another phone so this is awesome.

No problem! Good luck with the move man!

[nickchallis92]

you must use the Three £15 plan! easily the best and the internet speeds are outrageous!

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by tomjleeds

From Apple site:



Looks like it's only LTE which won't be available, and let's face it, that's not much of a loss at this point!

The Verizon iPhone 5 is the same as the UK iPhone 5 (just the UK version has CDMA disabled).