Based on input in this forum, I plan to use minimal iPhone data. I have CityMaps2Go to navigate and I plan to use free or cheap local WIFI when needed. There seem to be several providers. Should I sign up for all of them? Are any particularly useful or not? Any help appreciated.
O2. Free but they spam you with offers.
Virgin Media. 15 GBP per month. Focused on tube stations.
Sky WIFI or The Cloud. (Are they the same thing?)
Thanks!
You’ll need to register if you want to use their services.
You’ll find wifi hotspots not as handy as mobile data as they are much more local in nature i.e. in coffee shops etc. You may need to reconnect when moving from site to site.
This might answer some of your questions
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/free-wifi/
Getting a cheap local SIM offers greater coverage for mobile data when you're out and about. Just decide when you get to London and see how you get on.
Getting a SIM would be so much easier and not expensive for UK-only use. There are some really cheap providers like GiffGaff (a few of them may limit roaming outside of the UK, but if you aren't going outside the UK, don't worry about that). Only reasons not to get a SIM would be if your phone is locked...or you really need to get calls/texts on your original phone number (which you won't have while you have a different SIM in the phone). If your provider supports WiFI calling (and your phone supports it too), you might still be able to get texts and even make/receive calls from home while on WiFi.
I found the Cloud and other free wifi from stores/restaurants/museums/coffee shops/hotel to be ubiquitous enough in London that I never needed anything else. I signed up with the Cloud a few years ago and when I return to the UK, the Cloud is right there with no need to re-enter a user id/password.
As said above, you'll have to register with every free wifi that you'll find in pubs/restaurants/coffee shops. It can get annoying, especially the ones that require a phone number to text confirmation. Most will demand a legit email to confirm registration.
So, you'll be getting spam.
'Here's the wifi password' isn't at all common in the UK.
How long are you going to be there for and who is your home carrier? I find it worthwhile to pay the $10 per day and get access to my unlimited data and text from Verizon, but I use citymapper all the time and I have a lot of UK friends that I stay in touch with while there.
especially the ones that require a phone number to text confirmation.
I have never understood this. How can you receive a text confirmation to start free wifi if you don't have access to wifi yet?
As said above, you'll have to register with every free wifi that
you'll find in pubs/restaurants/coffee shops. It can get annoying
Not for me as so many of them are part of the Cloud network already. If not, it's not a big deal logging on to get free wifi. I just did this 4 months ago.
text doesn't use data, it uses phone
Sometimes you must enable data however to be able to receive texts. And if you use WhatsApp or another free texting app, that WILL use data or WiFi.
text doesn't use data, it uses phone
I won't receive that text if my cellular data is turned off (which it is always is when I'm outside the US) and I don't have wifi access.
If I enable cellular data, which Andrew H mentioned above, I will be charged $10 to receive that text from my US carrier.
I’d assume that businesses that offer free WiFi via a text are targeting the locals. It’s offered as a enticement for hopefully frequent return visits. We travels are seen as relatively less important since we’ve not as likely to become a regular customer.
I go the local SIM card route, for £15 to £20 I can get mobile data for 30 days and roam through most of Europe. Cheaper than the international plans from US carriers.
