Overseas Plans

[mpossoff]

Hi,

Curious how overseas plans compare to USA AT&T plans.

Currently we are on a family plan with 1 iPhone and 3 non smartphones.

700 min family share plan

Unlimited text for all phones

1 unlimited data plan for iPhone

The total cost is $155 with all taxes and fees.

Are overseas plans better?

Marc

 

[Daveoc64]

We don't generally get "Family Plans" in the UK, so you can't really make that comparison directly, but I pay £45 a month ($70.34 including tax) on a 24 month contract for:

1200 minutes (to any UK landline or mobile number at anytime)
Unlimited SMS
750MB of Mobile Data
Unlimited Wi-Fi using hotspots provided by my network operator

Receiving calls/texts is always free in the UK.

The 32GB iPhone 4 cost me £129 ($201)

 

[mpossoff]

Basically the same costs as hear in the states. Except I'm grandfathered into unlimited data plan.

So in the UK they offer subsidized pricing on iPhone with a contract like here in the states?

I think the main difference is that overseas you have choice of provider?

Marc

 

[Daveoc64]

So in the UK they offer subsidized pricing on iPhone with a contract like here in the states?

Yep

I think the main difference is that overseas you have choice of provider?

The iPhone 4 is available from all 5 of the national carriers (we don't have any regional ones).

A supermarket is also offering it (as an MVNO).

Pricing is really the same between the main networks though.

 

[mpossoff]

How to the carriers compare on service?

Marc

 

[Daveoc64]

How to the carriers compare on service?

Marc

To use an American adage, YMMV!

The carrier that had the iPhone exclusively to begin with (O2) has a reputation a bit like AT&T, however I have always found their coverage to be better in the places that I use my phone and as such, I went with them even though all of the networks have the same phone.

O2 is the only network to support Visual Voicemail.

 

[moka]

Batelco Bahrain
3000 Minutes
100 free sms
free calls on friday
3GB Data
-----
$87

 

[mpossoff]

To use an American adage, YMMV!

The carrier that had the iPhone exclusively to begin with (O2) has a reputation a bit like AT&T, however I have always found their coverage to be better in the places that I use my phone and as such, I went with them even though all of the networks have the same phone.

O2 is the only network to support Visual Voicemail.

I don't know what you mean having a reputation like AT&T. I've been a long time customer and very satisfied AT&T customer.

Marc

 

[Daveoc64]

I don't know what you mean having a reputation like AT&T. I've been a long time customer and very satisfied AT&T customer.

Precisely my point.

There's a lot of criticism about AT&T's coverage and network performance on these forums and similar sites, although as with O2, there are many people that are happy with the service.

 

[mpossoff]

We don't generally get "Family Plans" in the UK, so you can't really make that comparison directly, but I pay £45 a month ($70.34 including tax) on a 24 month contract for:

1200 minutes (to any UK landline or mobile number at anytime)
Unlimited SMS
750MB of Mobile Data
Unlimited Wi-Fi using hotspots provided by my network operator

Receiving calls/texts is always free in the UK.

The 32GB iPhone 4 cost me £129 ($201)

I was under the assumption that in the UK contact plans with iPhone subsidized pricing wasn't available, that only option was buying an unlocked iPhone and then one can choose.

Didn't know there were contract options even available.

But all contract carriers offer the iPhone unlike here in the USA.

If Verizon a CDMA carrier got the iPhone could it be used overseas? As I know 'sim card' carriers like AT&T and t-mobile can easily be used overseas.

Marc

 

[OllyW]

I was under the assumption that in the UK contact plans with iPhone subsidized pricing wasn't available, that only option was buying an unlocked iPhone and then one can choose.

Didn't know there were contract options even available.

But all contract carriers offer the iPhone unlike here in the USA.

If Verizon a CDMA carrier got the iPhone could it be used overseas? As I know 'sim card' carriers like AT&T and t-mobile can easily be used overseas.

Marc

You have a lot of choice here in the UK.

The iPhone is available direct from Apple unlocked and without a contract.

You can sign up to a contract with one of the networks and get a subsidised handset.

Or you can get a pay as you go iPhone with no contract and top up your credit when required.

There are no CDMA networks in the UK.

 

[mpossoff]

Thanks! We'll be traveling to the UK in the near future. I realize my iPhone has to be unlocked. When we get to the UK is it really that easy? Get a sim card, pop it in, activate and ready to go?

Marc