Ireland 4 months> internet connection/calls home
May 25, 2010, 3:43 am
#1
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: SFO; PSP; SNN/DUB
Programs: BA CO DL NW UA US
Posts: 76
Ireland 4 months> internet connection/calls home
Family staying in Ireland as usual for summer, and I'm hoping for some advice on getting internet connection for Galway residence. Don't want to sign up for usual 12-month contracts. Will be using laptop for bill paying, email, some word processing, web surfing, and want to make least expensive calls home (best method: Skype? Magic Jack? Advice?). Will appreciate any advice or experiences! Thanks.
May 25, 2010, 9:31 am
#3
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Imagine WiMax service may be an option - there is a 12 month term, but the early termination charge is "only" EUR100, so it may be worthwhile.
Performance will be a lot better than a 3G service.
http://www.imagine.ie/wimax_coverage.html
Performance will be a lot better than a 3G service.
http://www.imagine.ie/wimax_coverage.html
May 25, 2010, 12:36 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: SFO; PSP; SNN/DUB
Programs: BA CO DL NW UA US
Posts: 76
I've read a little about the 3G broadband and will be looking further into that and will read that European SIM card stickey.
The Imagine WiMax service probably wouldn't be suitable for us with that 12-month contract and the early cancellation fee.
Any views on if Skype is the way to go re calls back to family in the States?
Thanks for info.
The Imagine WiMax service probably wouldn't be suitable for us with that 12-month contract and the early cancellation fee.
Any views on if Skype is the way to go re calls back to family in the States?
Thanks for info.
May 25, 2010, 2:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 311
If you are in the city all of the phone providers will probably have good coverage, if you are out of town then you;d need to check the coverage.
Vodafone
http://www.vodafone.ie/df/mobilebroa...jsp?tab=prepay
Meteor
http://www.meteor.ie/bbtg/payg/#overview-tab
O2
http://www.o2online.ie/shop/broadband/mobile/
Three
http://www.three.ie/products_service...and/prepay.htm
for calls Skype (or other VOIP) is probably best.
for non skype calls from a mobile indirect calling is cheapest http://gocall.ie/ from a Three mobile or http://1call.ie from an O2 mobile. Vodafone is cheapest to dial directly, but 5 times the cost of these.
Vodafone
http://www.vodafone.ie/df/mobilebroa...jsp?tab=prepay
Meteor
http://www.meteor.ie/bbtg/payg/#overview-tab
O2
http://www.o2online.ie/shop/broadband/mobile/
Three
http://www.three.ie/products_service...and/prepay.htm
for calls Skype (or other VOIP) is probably best.
for non skype calls from a mobile indirect calling is cheapest http://gocall.ie/ from a Three mobile or http://1call.ie from an O2 mobile. Vodafone is cheapest to dial directly, but 5 times the cost of these.
May 25, 2010, 10:59 pm
#6
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: SFO; PSP; SNN/DUB
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Posts: 76
Thanks very much...exactly what I needed to know. And that 1call.ie sounds great!! We have an O2 mobile for the Galway house (out by Salthill), and those rates would be great if we're not using Skype.
Oh, we also have Eircom landline, so I'll be investigating trying to get better international rates on that as well for my parents who prefer it to the computer or the mobile.
Oh, we also have Eircom landline, so I'll be investigating trying to get better international rates on that as well for my parents who prefer it to the computer or the mobile.
If you are in the city all of the phone providers will probably have good coverage, if you are out of town then you;d need to check the coverage. ...
...for calls Skype (or other VOIP) is probably best.
for non skype calls from a mobile indirect calling is cheapest http://gocall.ie/ from a Three mobile or http://1call.ie from an O2 mobile. Vodafone is cheapest to dial directly, but 5 times the cost of these.
...for calls Skype (or other VOIP) is probably best.
for non skype calls from a mobile indirect calling is cheapest http://gocall.ie/ from a Three mobile or http://1call.ie from an O2 mobile. Vodafone is cheapest to dial directly, but 5 times the cost of these.
May 26, 2010, 4:50 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 311
from an Irish landline I use the indirect service http://www.telesavers.ie/ for international calls. Works fine and good value from landlines. The also have a UK service http://www.telesavers.co.uk/
May 26, 2010, 10:00 pm
#8
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: SFO; PSP; SNN/DUB
Programs: BA CO DL NW UA US
Posts: 76
Thanks re Telesavers info; that should be pretty good, as U.S. rates are local rate for the access number:
Sa-Su: 1.26 ct/min
Mo-Fr 6pm/8am: 1.26 ct/min
Mo-Fr 8am/6pm: 4.92 ct/min
Now that really means 1.26 cent per minute NOT 1 Euro 26 cent per minute?
Thanks.
Jan
Sa-Su: 1.26 ct/min
Mo-Fr 6pm/8am: 1.26 ct/min
Mo-Fr 8am/6pm: 4.92 ct/min
Now that really means 1.26 cent per minute NOT 1 Euro 26 cent per minute?
Thanks.
Jan
May 27, 2010, 5:01 am
#9
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The "local rate" access number may not be as good a deal as you think, most unlimited calling packages exclude non-geographic numbers like this 1890 one. Likewise for mobile phone packages - these numbers often don't come out of your "minutes" but are charged at a higher rate.
An ideal situation would be one where the access number was a geographic one, or a 1800 freephone one.
It probably won't end up being that expensive, but it's worth being aware of.
The 1.26 is in cents.
An ideal situation would be one where the access number was a geographic one, or a 1800 freephone one.
It probably won't end up being that expensive, but it's worth being aware of.
The 1.26 is in cents.
May 27, 2010, 11:34 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 311
Geographic or 1800 numbers generally mean that you have to have an account with someone or buy prepaid minutes etc. With Telesavers you don't need any account other than your landline phone bill, so it is entirely pay as you go and 1.6c/min is not expensive whatever way you look at it. That said mobiles are a different proposition.
May 27, 2010, 12:24 pm
#11
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Geographic or 1800 numbers generally mean that you have to have an account with someone or buy prepaid minutes etc. With Telesavers you don't need any account other than your landline phone bill, so it is entirely pay as you go and 1.6c/min is not expensive whatever way you look at it. That said mobiles are a different proposition.