Is Roaming possible in the UK?

I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is pretty
ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks are better
than others - but overall no single network is perfect.

My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in the
UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen when
one is abroad.

Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!

TIA

V

"Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:fvd8cu$8mg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is pretty
>ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks are better
>than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>
> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
> when one is abroad.
>
> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>
> TIA
>
> V

Could get a foreign sim card and delete any prefered networks from the sim
card so that networks are used in signal order.

I think vodafone ireland dont have roaming charges when in the U. Also, i
dont know which networks prepaid roaming is enabled for if you wanted
prepay.

You might find this of interest:-
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04...untry_roaming/

---
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
---

Victor Delta wrote:
> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks
> are better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>
> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
> when one is abroad.

I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a UK
078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on multiple
networks.

http://www.united-mobile.com

More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly fiddly
to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good option just
for incoming calls?

David

"Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> Victor Delta wrote:
>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks
>> are better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>>
>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
>> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
>> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
>> when one is abroad.
>
> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a UK
> 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on multiple
> networks.
>
> http://www.united-mobile.com
>
> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly fiddly to
> use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good option just for
> incoming calls?
>
> David

Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?

OJ wrote:
> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>>> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks
>>> are better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>>>
>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
>>> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
>>> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
>>> when one is abroad.
>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a UK
>> 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on multiple
>> networks.
>>
>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>
>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly fiddly to
>> use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good option just for
>> incoming calls?
>>
>> David
>
> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?

Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be able
to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems worth it!

David

On Thu, 01 May 2008 21:14:54 +0100, Victor Delta wrote:

> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!

A Manx Pronto SIM will give you a UK-style number and let you roam in the
UK, but I'm not sure about pricing.

--
<http://ale.cx/> (AIM:troffasky) (UnSoEsNpEaTm@ale.cx)
21:48:53 up 68 days, 4:43, 2 users, load average: 0.03, 0.08, 0.13
Convergence, n: The act of using separate DSL circuits for voice and data

"Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> OJ wrote:
>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>>>> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks
>>>> are better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>>>>
>>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever
>>>> in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between
>>>> the networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to
>>>> happen when one is abroad.
>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a UK
>>> 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on multiple
>>> networks.
>>>
>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>
>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly fiddly
>>> to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good option just
>>> for incoming calls?
>>>
>>> David
>>
>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>
> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons. Certainly
> it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be able to let you
> know the name of one service so hardly seems worth it!
>
> David
>
Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the networks to
see which ones allow roaming and which ones are restricted??!

Jason wrote:
> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>> OJ wrote:
>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>>>>> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks
>>>>> are better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>>>>>
>>>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever
>>>>> in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between
>>>>> the networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to
>>>>> happen when one is abroad.
>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a UK
>>>> 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on multiple
>>>> networks.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>
>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly fiddly
>>>> to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good option just
>>>> for incoming calls?
>>>>
>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons. Certainly
>> it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be able to let you
>> know the name of one service so hardly seems worth it!
>>
> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the networks to
> see which ones allow roaming and which ones are restricted??!

Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember where
I'd put the bloody SIM card...

David

In message <JsVSj.98174$Ff4.52831@newsfe5-win.ntli.net>, Lobster
<davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> writes
>Jason wrote:
>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>> OJ wrote:
>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county
>>>>>>is pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some
>>>>>>networks are better than others - but overall no single network
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or
>>>>>>whatever in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically
>>>>>>switch between the networks and take the strongest signal. This
>>>>>>is what appears to happen when one is abroad.
>>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you
>>>>>a UK 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on
>>>>>multiple networks.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>>
>>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly
>>>>>fiddly to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good
>>>>>option just for incoming calls?
>>>>>
>>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
>>>Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be
>>>able to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems worth it!
>>>
>> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the
>>networks to see which ones allow roaming and which ones are
>>restricted??!
>
>Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember where
>I'd put the bloody SIM card...
>
>David
>
I've got a united mobile SIM & it's in use. It just automatically
selects the strongest signal. This can get a bit annoying when it picks
up O2 because you then get a text message saying something like welcome
to o2 in the UK.

Best Regards...
Ian

----
To reply by email, replace string "nospam at nospam" with "ianking at"

"Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:fvd8cu$8mg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is pretty
>ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks are better
>than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>
> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
> when one is abroad.
>
> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!

Many thanks for all the helpful responses.

V

On 02 May 2008 21:02:05 GMT, alexd <troffasky@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On Thu, 01 May 2008 21:14:54 +0100, Victor Delta wrote:
>
>> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>
>A Manx Pronto SIM will give you a UK-style number and let you roam in the
>UK, but I'm not sure about pricing.

A quick look at the Manx Telecom website tells me that on the pre-pay
tariff (which isn't actually that bad value) you can only roam onto
the O2 & TMobile networks.

However if you get a Manx Telecom Contract Sim then you can roam onto
all the UK networks it seems ...

Prefix is an 07624 number I believe ... wasn't this the same prefix as
Truphone were using for their VOIP service ? If so there were reports
of various UK networks charging extornionate rates to ring these
numbers

Cheers

Jim!

On 2008-05-04, Jim! <me@privacy.net> wrote:
> On 02 May 2008 21:02:05 GMT, alexd <troffasky@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 01 May 2008 21:14:54 +0100, Victor Delta wrote:
>>
>>> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>>
>>A Manx Pronto SIM will give you a UK-style number and let you roam in the
>>UK, but I'm not sure about pricing.
>
> A quick look at the Manx Telecom website tells me that on the pre-pay
> tariff (which isn't actually that bad value) you can only roam onto
> the O2 & TMobile networks.
>
> However if you get a Manx Telecom Contract Sim then you can roam onto
> all the UK networks it seems ...
>
> Prefix is an 07624 number I believe ... wasn't this the same prefix as
> Truphone were using for their VOIP service ? If so there were reports
> of various UK networks charging extornionate rates to ring these
> numbers

If you want one with a number which is cheap to call in the UK I
have a Celtrek SIM, from

http://www.celtrek.com

which seems to roam on all networks. The UK inbound numbers they
supply are regular landline numbers so, while you pay for incoming
calls, it is inexpensive for callers.

Their prices aren't too bad in the UK, though I got the SIM because
their prices are excellent in some Asian and Latin American countries
I occasionally travel to.

Dennis Ferguson

In news:slrng1r47s.vs.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com,
Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> typed, for some strange,
unexplained reason:

[snip]

: If you want one with a number which is cheap to call in the UK I
: have a Celtrek SIM, from
:
: http://www.celtrek.com
:
: which seems to roam on all networks. The UK inbound numbers they
: supply are regular landline numbers so, while you pay for incoming
: calls, it is inexpensive for callers.
:
: Their prices aren't too bad in the UK, though I got the SIM because
: their prices are excellent in some Asian and Latin American countries
: I occasionally travel to.
:
: Dennis Ferguson

Where does it say about UK numbers..? All I can see there is that you get
a US number, which for mobiles are normal format numbers anyway.

Ivor

On 2008-05-04, Ivor Jones <ivor@thisaddressis.invalid> wrote:
> In news:slrng1r47s.vs.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com,
> Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> typed, for some strange,
> unexplained reason:
> [snip]
>
>: If you want one with a number which is cheap to call in the UK I
>: have a Celtrek SIM, from
>:
>: http://www.celtrek.com
>:
>: which seems to roam on all networks. The UK inbound numbers they
>: supply are regular landline numbers so, while you pay for incoming
>: calls, it is inexpensive for callers.
>:
>: Their prices aren't too bad in the UK, though I got the SIM because
>: their prices are excellent in some Asian and Latin American countries
>: I occasionally travel to.
>:
>: Dennis Ferguson
>
> Where does it say about UK numbers..? All I can see there is that you get
> a US number, which for mobiles are normal format numbers anyway.
>
> Ivor

See the FAQ, here:

http://www.celtrek.com/faq.php#64

You can get one with a US, UK or French inbound number if you ask.

Note that this is a VoIP lashup which is why you end up with landline
numbers. You can't receive text messages on the inbound number, and the
SIM itself is Israeli. Mine has been pretty reliable despite all that,
however, and they even manage to get outbound caller ID to work right
most places. I've been happy with it.

Dennis Ferguson

On Sun, 04 May 2008 10:33:33 GMT, Dennis Ferguson
<dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote:

>On 2008-05-04, Jim! <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>> On 02 May 2008 21:02:05 GMT, alexd <troffasky@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 01 May 2008 21:14:54 +0100, Victor Delta wrote:
>>>
>>>> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>>>
>>>A Manx Pronto SIM will give you a UK-style number and let you roam in the
>>>UK, but I'm not sure about pricing.
>>
>> A quick look at the Manx Telecom website tells me that on the pre-pay
>> tariff (which isn't actually that bad value) you can only roam onto
>> the O2 & TMobile networks.
>>
>> However if you get a Manx Telecom Contract Sim then you can roam onto
>> all the UK networks it seems ...
>>
>> Prefix is an 07624 number I believe ... wasn't this the same prefix as
>> Truphone were using for their VOIP service ? If so there were reports
>> of various UK networks charging extornionate rates to ring these
>> numbers
>
>If you want one with a number which is cheap to call in the UK I
>have a Celtrek SIM, from
>
> http://www.celtrek.com
>
>which seems to roam on all networks. The UK inbound numbers they
>supply are regular landline numbers so, while you pay for incoming
>calls, it is inexpensive for callers.
>
>Their prices aren't too bad in the UK, though I got the SIM because
>their prices are excellent in some Asian and Latin American countries
>I occasionally travel to.

Do you know if this SIM allows mobile broadband data connections also?
I can't see any reference to that on their web site, and they only
quote rates for voice calls and SMS.

Chris

"Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:fvip9m$q39$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> "Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:fvd8cu$8mg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>>pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some networks are
>>better than others - but overall no single network is perfect.
>>
>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever in
>> the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch between the
>> networks and take the strongest signal. This is what appears to happen
>> when one is abroad.
>>
>> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>
> Many thanks for all the helpful responses.
>
> V

Don't forget that you will need a dual / tri-band phone to get the full
benefit as O2 and Voda are dual band in the UK, whereas Orange and T are
not.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Victor Delta <none@nospam.com> wrote:

> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some
> networks are better than others - but overall no single network is
> perfect.
> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever
> in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch
> between the networks and take the strongest signal. This is what
> appears to happen when one is abroad.
>
> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>
> TIA
>
> V

It may not come to anything but, interestingly, BBC Parliament was showing
something relevant last night. A Conservative MP is trying to use the
10-minute Bill procedure to initate legislation which would encourage (but
not compel) mobile phone companies to set up inter-operability arrangements
to address just this issue. The analogy was drawn of cashpoint machines -
where you can use Bank A's machine to draw money out of your account with
Bank B.

Similarly - it was suggested - if you have a mobile phone with Operator X,
you should be able to access the network via Operator Y's mast if X doesn't
have one in a suitable place. It was suggested that this would actually save
money for the operators - who could pay for bandwidth on rival networks
rather than extending their own infrastructure.

Could be a while before anything happens, though. <g>
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

"R. Mark Clayton" <nospamclayton@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:roadncGrJd1DR4PVnZ2dnUVZ8sylnZ2d@bt.com...
> "Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:fvip9m$q39$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> "Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:fvd8cu$8mg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
<snip>
> Don't forget that you will need a dual / tri-band phone to get the full
> benefit as O2 and Voda are dual band in the UK, whereas Orange and T are
> not.
So any phone made for the European market in the last 8 years then?

Steve Terry

Roger Mills wrote:

> It may not come to anything but, interestingly, BBC Parliament was showing
> something relevant last night. A Conservative MP is trying to use the
> 10-minute Bill procedure to initate legislation which would encourage (but
> not compel) mobile phone companies to set up inter-operability arrangements
> to address just this issue. The analogy was drawn of cashpoint machines -
> where you can use Bank A's machine to draw money out of your account with
> Bank B.
>
> Similarly - it was suggested - if you have a mobile phone with Operator X,
> you should be able to access the network via Operator Y's mast if X doesn't
> have one in a suitable place. It was suggested that this would actually save
> money for the operators - who could pay for bandwidth on rival networks
> rather than extending their own infrastructure.
>
> Could be a while before anything happens, though. <g>

It's a very good idea though. I'm old enough to remember when AA and RAC
roadside phone boxes had the same access key, and you could call either
organisation for either's box.

--
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

"Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:688e73F2r8jeaU1@mid.individual.net...
> In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
> Victor Delta <none@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county is
>> pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some
>> networks are better than others - but overall no single network is
>> perfect.
>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or whatever
>> in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically switch
>> between the networks and take the strongest signal. This is what
>> appears to happen when one is abroad.
>> Any suggestions please - especially if they don't cost the earth?!
>> TIA
>> V
>
> It may not come to anything but, interestingly, BBC Parliament was showing
> something relevant last night. A Conservative MP is trying to use the
> 10-minute Bill procedure to initate legislation which would encourage (but
> not compel) mobile phone companies to set up inter-operability
> arrangements to address just this issue. The analogy was drawn of
> cashpoint machines - where you can use Bank A's machine to draw money out
> of your account with Bank B.
>
> Similarly - it was suggested - if you have a mobile phone with Operator X,
> you should be able to access the network via Operator Y's mast if X
> doesn't have one in a suitable place. It was suggested that this would
> actually save money for the operators - who could pay for bandwidth on
> rival networks rather than extending their own infrastructure.
>
The Swiss have had this kind of internal roaming for years
They saw it as a civil defence need

Steve Terry

In article <688e73F2r8jeaU1@mid.individual.net>,
"Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> writes:
> Similarly - it was suggested - if you have a mobile phone with Operator X,
> you should be able to access the network via Operator Y's mast if X doesn't
> have one in a suitable place. It was suggested that this would actually save
> money for the operators - who could pay for bandwidth on rival networks
> rather than extending their own infrastructure.

You would've thought that it was in their interests from the off to at least
share masts, but apparently not. That's why there are three on the hill
opposite my house.

The whole business is screwed up. They can't, between them, offer useful
contracts, get the coverage right, do decent customer service, run shops,
anything. Then there's the whole `phone locked to network' thing. That
mobile phones are popular in the UK is in spite of these largely-useless
companies, not because of them.
--
SAm.

Ian King wrote:
> In message <JsVSj.98174$Ff4.52831@newsfe5-win.ntli.net>, Lobster
> <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> writes
>> Jason wrote:
>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>> OJ wrote:
>>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county
>>>>>>> is pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some
>>>>>>> networks are better than others - but overall no single network
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or
>>>>>>> whatever in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e.
>>>>>>> automatically switch between the networks and take the strongest
>>>>>>> signal. This is what appears to happen when one is abroad.
>>>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you
>>>>>> a UK 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well,
>>>>>> on multiple networks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly
>>>>>> fiddly to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a
>>>>>> good option just for incoming calls?
>>>>>>
>>>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>>>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
>>>> Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be
>>>> able to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems worth it!
>>>>
>>> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the
>>> networks to see which ones allow roaming and which ones are
>>> restricted??!
>>
>> Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember where
>> I'd put the bloody SIM card...

> I've got a united mobile SIM & it's in use. It just automatically
> selects the strongest signal. This can get a bit annoying when it picks
> up O2 because you then get a text message saying something like welcome
> to o2 in the UK.

Found it...! it was inside my 'spare' mobile at the bottom of a drawer.

Yes: the (old, non-3G) phone lists O2, T-mobile, Vodafone and Orange as
available networks and will log on to any of them when forced. I notice
it doesn't list Virgin, which ISTR this phone (Nokia 3510) used to be
used with.

David

In message 4MITj.11815$EH2.10010@newsfe1-win.ntli.net,
Lobster <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> Proclaimed from the tallest tower:

> Ian King wrote:
>> In message <JsVSj.98174$Ff4.52831@newsfe5-win.ntli.net>, Lobster
>> <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> writes
>>> Jason wrote:
>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>> OJ wrote:
>>>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the
>>>>>>>> county is pretty ropey to say the least. In any location,
>>>>>>>> however, some networks are better than others - but overall
>>>>>>>> no single network My question is therefore is it possible to get a
>>>>>>>> SIM card or
>>>>>>>> whatever in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e.
>>>>>>>> automatically switch between the networks and take the
>>>>>>>> strongest signal. This is what appears to happen when one is
>>>>>>>> abroad.
>>>>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives
>>>>>>> you a UK 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as
>>>>>>> well, on multiple networks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly
>>>>>>> fiddly to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a
>>>>>>> good option just for incoming calls?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>>>>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
>>>>> Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be
>>>>> able to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems
>>>>> worth it!
>>>> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the
>>>> networks to see which ones allow roaming and which ones are
>>>> restricted??!
>>>
>>> Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember
>>> where I'd put the bloody SIM card...
>
>> I've got a united mobile SIM & it's in use. It just automatically
>> selects the strongest signal. This can get a bit annoying when it
>> picks up O2 because you then get a text message saying something
>> like welcome to o2 in the UK.
>
> Found it...! it was inside my 'spare' mobile at the bottom of a
> drawer.
> Yes: the (old, non-3G) phone lists O2, T-mobile, Vodafone and Orange
> as available networks and will log on to any of them when forced. I
> notice it doesn't list Virgin, which ISTR this phone (Nokia 3510)
> used to be used with.
>
> David

Would it list Virgin as a seperate network? I thought they just used
T-Mobile's network...(?)

--
Regards,
Chris.
(Remove Elvis's shoes to email me)

"Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:fvn45h$77s$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "R. Mark Clayton" <nospamclayton@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:roadncGrJd1DR4PVnZ2dnUVZ8sylnZ2d@bt.com...
>> "Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:fvip9m$q39$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>> "Victor Delta" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
>>> news:fvd8cu$8mg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> <snip>
>> Don't forget that you will need a dual / tri-band phone to get the full
>> benefit as O2 and Voda are dual band in the UK, whereas Orange and T are
>> not.
> So any phone made for the European market in the last 8 years then?

Not as long as that I suspect.

>
> Steve Terry
>
>
>
>

"Sam Nelson" <sam@ssrl.org.uk> wrote in message
news:15m3f5-eer.ln1@nntp.stir.ac.uk...
> In article <688e73F2r8jeaU1@mid.individual.net>,
> "Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> writes:
>> Similarly - it was suggested - if you have a mobile phone with Operator
>> X,
>> you should be able to access the network via Operator Y's mast if X
>> doesn't
>> have one in a suitable place. It was suggested that this would actually
>> save
>> money for the operators - who could pay for bandwidth on rival networks
>> rather than extending their own infrastructure.
>
> You would've thought that it was in their interests from the off to at
> least
> share masts, but apparently not. That's why there are three on the hill
> opposite my house.
>
> The whole business is screwed up. They can't, between them, offer useful
> contracts, get the coverage right, do decent customer service, run shops,
> anything. Then there's the whole `phone locked to network' thing. That
> mobile phones are popular in the UK is in spite of these largely-useless
> companies, not because of them.
> --
> SAm.

They weren't always useless. Apart from Sweden (which started earlier on
450Mhz) and one or two niche places (like the Channel Islands), cellular
phones took off more quickly in the UK with higher market penetration and
steeper falling prices than any other country BECAUSE of the competition
between the companies and between the service providers (telcos were not
allowed to sell directly to begin with).

The first true hand portables appeared in the UK in 1986. By 1991 the UK
had millions of phones, 99% coverage, sensible charges and handsets were in
the few hundred pound range. In France by contrast handsets still cost
~£2k, coverage was both fragmented and patchy and charges were high.

On 2008-05-05, Chris Blunt <mail@nospam.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 04 May 2008 10:33:33 GMT, Dennis Ferguson
><dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote:
>>If you want one with a number which is cheap to call in the UK I
>>have a Celtrek SIM, from
>>
>> http://www.celtrek.com
>>
>>which seems to roam on all networks. The UK inbound numbers they
>>supply are regular landline numbers so, while you pay for incoming
>>calls, it is inexpensive for callers.
>>
>>Their prices aren't too bad in the UK, though I got the SIM because
>>their prices are excellent in some Asian and Latin American countries
>>I occasionally travel to.
>
> Do you know if this SIM allows mobile broadband data connections also?
> I can't see any reference to that on their web site, and they only
> quote rates for voice calls and SMS.

I've not tried so I don't know, but I don't think so. I'm happy
enough that voice calls work.

Dennis Ferguson

ChrisM wrote:
> In message 4MITj.11815$EH2.10010@newsfe1-win.ntli.net,
> Lobster <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> Proclaimed from the tallest tower:
>
>> Ian King wrote:
>>> In message <JsVSj.98174$Ff4.52831@newsfe5-win.ntli.net>, Lobster
>>> <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> writes
>>>> Jason wrote:
>>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>> OJ wrote:
>>>>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the
>>>>>>>>> county is pretty ropey to say the least. In any location,
>>>>>>>>> however, some networks are better than others - but overall
>>>>>>>>> no single network My question is therefore is it possible to get a
>>>>>>>>> SIM card or
>>>>>>>>> whatever in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e.
>>>>>>>>> automatically switch between the networks and take the
>>>>>>>>> strongest signal. This is what appears to happen when one is
>>>>>>>>> abroad.
>>>>>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives
>>>>>>>> you a UK 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as
>>>>>>>> well, on multiple networks.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly
>>>>>>>> fiddly to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a
>>>>>>>> good option just for incoming calls?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>>>>>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
>>>>>> Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be
>>>>>> able to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems
>>>>>> worth it!
>>>>> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the
>>>>> networks to see which ones allow roaming and which ones are
>>>>> restricted??!
>>>> Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember
>>>> where I'd put the bloody SIM card...
>>> I've got a united mobile SIM & it's in use. It just automatically
>>> selects the strongest signal. This can get a bit annoying when it
>>> picks up O2 because you then get a text message saying something
>>> like welcome to o2 in the UK.
>> Found it...! it was inside my 'spare' mobile at the bottom of a
>> drawer.
>> Yes: the (old, non-3G) phone lists O2, T-mobile, Vodafone and Orange
>> as available networks and will log on to any of them when forced. I
>> notice it doesn't list Virgin, which ISTR this phone (Nokia 3510)
>> used to be used with.

> Would it list Virgin as a seperate network? I thought they just used
> T-Mobile's network...(?)

Dunno, but that would explain it!

"R. Mark Clayton" wrote:

> >> Don't forget that you will need a dual / tri-band phone to get the full
> >> benefit as O2 and Voda are dual band in the UK, whereas Orange and T are
> >> not.
> > So any phone made for the European market in the last 8 years then?
>
> Not as long as that I suspect.

Longer, I got my Siemens S25 in 1999, and as I remember *almost* all
phones thereafter were dualbands (in Germany ;-) ).

Greets Dirk

"Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4MITj.11815$EH2.10010@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> Ian King wrote:
>> In message <JsVSj.98174$Ff4.52831@newsfe5-win.ntli.net>, Lobster
>> <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> writes
>>> Jason wrote:
>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:9zKSj.92835$jH5.27105@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>> OJ wrote:
>>>>>> "Lobster" <davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:FnrSj.92417$jH5.63978@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>>> Victor Delta wrote:
>>>>>>>> I live in Dorset and mobile reception in some parts of the county
>>>>>>>> is pretty ropey to say the least. In any location, however, some
>>>>>>>> networks are better than others - but overall no single network
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My question is therefore is it possible to get a SIM card or
>>>>>>>> whatever in the UK which enables one to 'roam' i.e. automatically
>>>>>>>> switch between the networks and take the strongest signal. This is
>>>>>>>> what appears to happen when one is abroad.
>>>>>>> I have a United Mobile sim card for use overseas, which gives you a
>>>>>>> UK 078xxx number, and that certainly works in the UK as well, on
>>>>>>> multiple networks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.united-mobile.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> More expensive than any normal domestic PAYG though and slightly
>>>>>>> fiddly to use (it's a ring-back service), although might be a good
>>>>>>> option just for incoming calls?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Which UK networks can the united mobile service use?
>>>>> Wouldn't know, as I never use it in the UK for obvious reasons.
>>>>> Certainly it logs on though: if I were to test it now I'd only be
>>>>> able to let you know the name of one service so hardly seems worth
>>>>> it!
>>>>>
>>>> Surely you could go to "network selection" and go through the networks
>>>> to see which ones allow roaming and which ones are restricted??!
>>>
>>> Doh! Yes of course - and I would do so if I could just remember where
>>> I'd put the bloody SIM card...
>
>> I've got a united mobile SIM & it's in use. It just automatically selects
>> the strongest signal. This can get a bit annoying when it picks up O2
>> because you then get a text message saying something like welcome to o2
>> in the UK.
>
> Found it...! it was inside my 'spare' mobile at the bottom of a drawer.
>
> Yes: the (old, non-3G) phone lists O2, T-mobile, Vodafone and Orange as
> available networks and will log on to any of them when forced. I notice
> it doesn't list Virgin, which ISTR this phone (Nokia 3510) used to be used
> with.

Thanks for the info...

Virgin mobile uses T-Mobile to provide its service so wouldn't be displayed
as a network