Cell phone, wifi HELP!

Wifi for what? Are you taking a netbook or laptop? You could just skype home from an internet cafe. Or you could GO to a hotspot, like a McDonald's or a public library.

Can't Skype from internet cafe as most places I'll be at won't have it. I'm taking my laptop. Last year, I made sure to stay at wifi accessible places. This year it isn't working out.

I'll mainly be in rural areas where there won't be hotspots. I need some sort of wifi card. Plus, it'll be 11 or 12 am before I'm able to Skype home and I don't want to be out that late.
Thanks though, I appreciate it!

You could buy a cheap phone and pay as you go plan when you get there. Car Phone Warehouse has lots of options and stores all over the UK. Will you have a laptop or netbook? You could also check and see if there are any mobile broadband options that are offered pay-as-you-go. Again, I'd try going to a Car Phone Warehouse when you get there (check their website).

Laura,
Thank you! I will check them out!

Kristie: Because you are going to the U.K., check out a mobile wifi device. T-Mobile U.K. sells one for a fairly reasonable amount and prepaid service for the connection isn't that unreasonable. They call it a "wireless pointer." See http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/wireless-pointer/. If T-Mobile does it, I'm sure others do as well.

Thanks Paul! I will check it out.

Check out the Vodaphone website. That is what I have.

Wifi. Rent a pocket Wifi from Fonmigo. They will deliver it to your London address - or let you pick it up. Is your phone Verizon? If so, put it on Airplane mode and use it as a computer.....But, I nad no luck using Skype (not Skype wireless).

Thanks. I used Skype last year and loved it - talked to everyone via the computer for free - such a joy!
My phone won't even come on in the UK. No signal at all. I have never heard of that company and am going to look them up right now - sounds great. Thank you!

I'm glad to see services such as Fonmigo. While its rates are better than some alternatives, you still might come out ahead actually buying this type of device once you arrive and getting a prepaid data plan. I posted something about T-Mobile U.K.'s offerings in another thread and they looked like they would be cheaper than the Fonmigo rates. The Fonmigo rates also are based on the amount of data you use, so what you'll end up paying isn't something you can determine in advance. The cell companies' prepaid rates are fixed, so no surprises. Fonmigo is more convenient, however, especially if they deliver or you pick the device up at the airport.

Kristie I just got back from Scotland last Friday and I was able to get a basic phone for 9.95 GBPs at the CarPhoneWarehouse at a mall in Edinburgh. Check their website. I saw a special for 2.95 pounds and then you top up for 10 or 20 pounds. They had a special that gave you 60 minutes of free international calling for every 10 pounds that you put on the card. Then you had that 10 or 20 pounds for use around the country to call for directions or reservations. I have a balance of 18.61 after 7 days. But I still had probably an hour and a half of international calls too. I didn't call home as often as I thought I would. Pam

Hi Pam,
Thanks - that sounds great.