getting a phone

Can anyone point me in the direction of a mobile phone provider who will accept someone who hasn't been in the UK a year? Virgin said no, as well as Barclays. Can't pay full price up front but need a phone.

Can you just get a cheap phone for now and then use Pay as you Go? That's usually the only way to do it until you've started building up some UK credit, as contract phones will likely require a credit check.

You can get some pretty cheap phones on Pay as you Go - they won't be the latest smart phones, but that might be your only option for now.

For example, on Tesco Mobile, the phones start at £14.99 on Pay as you Go: http://shop.tescomobile.com/pay-as-you-go/mobile-phones#phones-available?offer-type%5B%5D=payg

Another option is to buy a proper phone on EBay and then get a sim only deal.  I recently got a iPhone 5c for about £100, then signed her up for a 10 quid sim from giffgaff .  She's got a decent phone and all the data she wants.

I bought my phone outright and got a SIM only contract with Three.  They'll let you do a contract if you have a bank account and can do direct debit.  PLUS, they have their "Feel at Home" package which works in about 20 countries, so you can use your phone while you are traveling for no extra cost. My plan has all you can eat data, so when I'm in the US, I can use my phone as normal and my bill is exactly the same.  I just still need to call people through Facetime and apps.  I know I sound like an advertisement but I honestly think Three's plans ROCK!

  PLUS, they have their "Feel at Home" package which works in about 20 countries, so you can use your phone while you are traveling for no extra cost.

Just to note that they've recently expanded this to 42 countries .

When I joined 3 in May 2016, it only covered 14 countries, and now it's up to 42: http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

Just to note that they've recently expanded this to 42 countries .

When I joined 3 in May 2016, it only covered 14 countries, and now it's up to 42: http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

It is awesome!  Though I'm guessing antartica doesn't make the cut?

It is awesome!  Though I'm guessing antartica doesn't make the cut?

Unfortunately not . No cell service at all down there and the internet won't be fast enough for Skype, so it'll be back to old fashioned landlines (luckily, the phones there have Cambridge numbers, so it costs the same as a UK national rate call to phone home).

Unfortunately not . No cell service at all down there and the internet won't be fast enough for Skype, so it'll be back to old fashioned landlines (luckily, the phones there have Cambridge numbers, so it costs the same as a UK national rate call to phone home).

I like the think the UK government will fund your calls home, regardless!

How much longer until you go?

I like the think the UK government will fund your calls home, regardless!

How much longer until you go?

Sadly not - I have to buy phone cards to take with me .

I fly two weeks tomorrow... I'm so not ready!

Thanks everyone, plenty of alternatives thankfully. I need to get my husband to add me to his bank account, hopefully it's easier than when he opened it! I'm not too fussy about my phone, as long as I can text, call, and have some sort of map app I'll be good. I am horrible at directions and got lost in Bath, 7 years away and now living on the total opposite side threw me off lol