UK (tech savvy) Pals: mobile question

[winterbadger]

I'm starting to think about things I'll need to be dealing with related to The Move. I'll probably post about some others later on (packing/moving/storage of world goods, what to bring/leave, car storage, old flat evacuation, new flat hunting, the visa fezzle), but right now one question I have is about phones.

At the moment, I have a mobile plan through a US carrier that has voice, messaging, and data services that are attached to my iPhone 4. Now, they have "global" plans, but my impression is that they are probably pretty extortionate and that I'd be a lot better off cancelling my service (I think the service contract will be up next month, so I can do that without penalty) and signing up with someone new in the UK for the year (+?) that I'll be there.

Question is, can I use my beloved iPhone? Am I going to have to do something funky to it before I can use it on another network? I used to be tech-savvy, but I readily admit that when it comes to the world of mobile phones, I'm close to being someone's old grandad.

Comments

[wolfette]

various UK mobile networks offer good deals for "SIM only" phone/text/data. If your phone is unlocked - or can be unlocked - you should be able to pick up a SIM for use here. some people who travel a lot actually have a UK/EU SIM and a US SIM they swap between.

[richard talbot (from livejournal.com)]

HI, pretty much everything Sarah and Wolfette have said. Get your phone unlocked here or before you arrive and once here shop around for either a SIM Only contract [credit check, photo ID and address required] or simply buy a Pay As you Go SIM chip and top up monthly. Price range for SIm Only plans are 7-40 GBP dependent on what you need.

iPhone is a global handset so no technical issues there unless you are Verizon and the unlocking should cost you between 5-15 GBP.

I use Giffgaff.com on a rolling Pay As You Go plan and it's 12 GBP for 250 mins, unlimited texts and data. Once you are over happy to help you if you need it

[richard talbot (from livejournal.com)]

All prices per calender month

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

I can recommend giffgaff pay as you go sim, which is what I use in my iPhone 5 and Stegzy uses in his iPhone 4, but your phone would need to be unlocked

[winterbadger]

Thanks to all of you for the advice, and to Richard for the offer. I'm much obliged.