Mobiles when abroad - Your thoughts please

J

Jam Man

Active Member
As some of you may know, I started working for a mobile network at the end of last Summer.

Part of my brief is to look at new routes to market and potential for new sales techniques.

A proposal I am working on is a Pay as you go mobile that would be sold either in UK airports or on Charter flights.

The phone would have an amount of credit loaded on it and the amount of minutes that credit is worth in each country would be stated at point of purchase (and the aim is to make it the cheapest in the market)

The customer could then use it abroad and we would offer a refund amount if the handset was returned with the charger and sim card when arriving back in the uk.

The plan is to make it work out so not only are the calls the cheapest, but the handset would work out to be almost free once it is returned and the refund claimed.

I would welcome your thoughts:

1. Do you think this is something you would potentially be interested in.

2. Do you foresee any issues?

3. All other suggestions welcomed.
 
I'd definately be interested.

While on holiday I always phone home to check in with family/work/housewatcher etc but i don't take my mobile/have it switched on because I don't want to be bothered while i'm enjoying my holiday.

Would it be cheaper than using a payphone in Spain?
 
The first year I went to Spain I bought a Pay As You Go Amena SIM card pack for about 29 euros with 15 euros of calls on it and I can use it over here too in my phone but I actually do use an Orange one when here.

The Amena one is good though because even if I don't use it for 6 months or more - it doesn't go inactive.

However, when in Ibiza last November I bought a Nokia pay as you go phone for 32 euros, with SIM card.....the phones are so much cheaper over there.

I don't really know much about if it would work but just some things thought you might like to know?! ;)
 
stuie said:
Would it be cheaper than using a payphone in Spain?
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Yes, possibly...there are a chain of shops in Ibiza called The Phone Box and their calls are sooooo cheap...I even used to go in there to make calls to Spanish mobiles and landlines! Alot of the Spanish used them too.

English workers to Ibiza tended to buy the Amena or Movistar SIM cards though.
 
1. Yes
2. Would this in effect be a rental system with deposit? If so, do you think people would be keen on having a second-hand phone? I'm not so sure.
3. Maybe hire the phones out at larger hotels, like an iron or fan?
 
It would have to be a new number because your existing network would take at least a week to port the number across...

The idea is to make it a simple one-stop shop for people who want a known cost of calls, cheaper than using their existing tariff, and a free phone to make them on.

I am not sure about the rates using phone boxes abroad but I suspect this mobile wouldn't be cheaper. However the convenience of not having to find a phone box when wanting to make a call would possibly outweigh that in some people's eyes.

The returned handsets would be sent back for diagnostics and refurb after each use so it wouldn't be a true rental service...

keep the thoughts coming.....
:)
 
The only problem I could forsee would be that your friends would not know your new number. They could call your other mobile, and you use your new phone to call out, but you still get charged a large amount for reciving calls.

Or am I just speaking poop? :lol:
 
No it's a valid point Fergie...

Possibly something that we could overcome with maybe a voicemail message on the user's normal phone before switching it off, or a couple of calls to nearest & dearest?

Perhaps there's an even simpler answer - but you raise a good point. It would be down to me to try and make it as simple as possible so I'll give it some thought......
 
No it's a valid point Fergie...

Possibly something that we could overcome with maybe a voicemail message on the user's normal phone before switching it off, or a couple of calls to nearest & dearest
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Sounds like that could work to me, I'd definitely be interested after last years phone bill ;)
 
Jam Man said:
No it's a valid point Fergie...

Possibly something that we could overcome with maybe a voicemail message on the user's normal phone before switching it off, or a couple of calls to nearest & dearest?

Perhaps there's an even simpler answer - but you raise a good point. It would be down to me to try and make it as simple as possible so I'll give it some thought......
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Maybe at the airport you have like a pc wich you stick ur sim card in and it sends a txt to everyone say hi its ________ ill be on holiday in spain for _______weeks in the meantime you can contact me on this numer..

well you should be able to chose the numebr of people or who you want sent this meaasge cause you dont want to sedn it to sumone that you dont want to be contacted by
 
Personally i wouldnt use it and thats only because on your hoiliday its quite nice not to have your mobile trailing round with you like at home, it one less thing to worry about on holiday and i like using the phone cards because firstly they are cheap and good value for money and you can get in touch back home when you want but pressures from back home cant get in touch with you.
But of course thats just my own personal opinion. ;)
 
I need to carry a phone on holiday for family health matters and work related matters.

In theory I think its an excellent idea and one I would consider.

Jam - if you remember we were texting and calling each other in Ibiza inSeptember an awful lot (even though we were in the same complex and we had room phones to contact each other for free - although it was 5 days into the holiday before we realised... :oops: :oops: : :lol: :lol: ) and my bill was as high as it normally is after a 2 week stint on the Island.....
 
gfunk said:
Fergie19 said:
The only problem I could forsee would be that your friends would not know your new number.
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Just put your exisiting mobile onto divert before you go
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Would need to check that it is the new number that bears the cost of the international divert....

Already on the case with that though ;)
 
sexylady said:
where is there a good phone shop in ibiza lou?? if u buy 1 other there can u use it back here?
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There is one next to NAXA in San Antonio and one right in the back of San Antonio near Video Torres! ;)
 
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