OT: Purchasing prepaid sim card for mobile phone at Heathrow?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Hmmm, I'm not sure. I know in T3, there's a machine in arrivals (have had relatives use it upon arriving). There's a vodafone (iirc) shop in T5, but it's inside security, so if you're arriving and not transferring, it wouldn't work anyway. If no one responds in the next week, I'll try to remember to check.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
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If you have lead time this is a great option. Free incoming, cheap local, never expires.
http://www.mobell.com/sim/
http://www.mobell.com/sim/
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newcastle, UK
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If you have lead time this is a great option. Free incoming, cheap local, never expires.
http://www.mobell.com/sim/
http://www.mobell.com/sim/
www.freshmobile.co.uk
All networks in the UK (and most in Europe, I believe) give you free incoming calls, so don't worry about that. Unlike in the US, the caller pays ( often handsomely) for calling a mobile phone.
If you need to know your new number in advance, and expiry is important, then Mobell might be worth a look. Otherwise there are better deals out there.
To the OP: you don't say whether you're arriving or transferring at T5. I'll assume your arriving. From the map, it looks like the Vodafone shop (#4) is by check-in, so it would be landside. Might be worth giving them ring:
Location: Terminal 5, Before Security
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 22:00
Telephone: +44 (0)7826 952 062
#8
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#9
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Vodafone GSM900
Orange GSM1800
O2 GSM900
Any other company is just using their capacity eg Virgin, Tmobile, 3mobile etc.
#10
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Certainly being able to call the companies on their US 800 (freephone numbers) for nothing via Skype on my Three mobile has easily covered the cost of the phone not to mention the calls I've made abroad to friends etc.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Was back in the UK in June and T-Mobile had one of the best pre-pay sim deals. 300 minutes any network & unlimited texts for 30 days for 20 pounds.
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobil...u-go/boosters/
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobil...u-go/boosters/
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 5,706
Just to clarify for the OP, while the many virtual networks may just be leasing capacity and do not own their own masts, I'm sure you all would agree that is certainly not a reason to discount them at all.
But obviously you need to checkout who they piggyback on to find out what they use/need.
The virtuals also come in various sizes, Virgin are so well established and abundant that they are not really viewed as a virtual operator in the publics eyes. But it goes all the way down in size, through ones tied to major supermarkets etc, all the way down to tiny outfits no one has heard of (then the caution should probably rise - they deal will probably not be that good as a smaller speculative player behind the venture.).
Also a bit unfair to categorize 3 as not having their own network?
[But, please note I've not really been following things for a couple of years!]
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lithgow, NSW
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I have a pre paid Talk Mobile Sim for my UK jaunts. The rates to call OS on your mobile from the UK are great. Local call rates are also good. You can get them at the vending machines in the arrivals hall or Carphone warehouse on the high street. Just make sure when you recharge they give you TALK mobile and NOT Talk Talk. 2 VERY different companies.
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,660
On somewhat the same off-topic topic... does anyone know how long an unused top-up voucher for O2 should remain valid after purchase? I know the equivalent ones I buy in France for SFR show a date about 12 months from purchase, but the one I bought for O2 at the WH Smith in T5 doesn't show when it expires.
To clarify a bit, I had planned simply to use it immediately, but that was before I discovered my O2 prepaid SIM had gone into "unregistered" status, probably because I hadn't used it within whatever time frame you have to use such chips. I was on a connection back out (and wanted/needed to make a call) so that's why I never really had a chance to follow up with O2 or anyone else about the expired chip - had hoped I could just replace the chip next time I'm in UK, and still make use of the top-up credit then.
To clarify a bit, I had planned simply to use it immediately, but that was before I discovered my O2 prepaid SIM had gone into "unregistered" status, probably because I hadn't used it within whatever time frame you have to use such chips. I was on a connection back out (and wanted/needed to make a call) so that's why I never really had a chance to follow up with O2 or anyone else about the expired chip - had hoped I could just replace the chip next time I'm in UK, and still make use of the top-up credit then.
#15
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
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Virgin sims don't seem to expire either.
Sorry read that wrong.........vouchers? No idea.