When you touch down in London you will need a mobile phone number. This is an absolute must. Why you ask? Here are some reasons:
- Family & friends back at home want to get in touch;
- Recruitment agents will contact you to inform you of roles and interviews. Plus you will need to follow up agents on roles etc;
- Real estate agents will contact you to inform you of viewings or documentation required to secure a lease;
- HSBC
Charing Cross
will need to contact you to arrange the opening of your bank account; and
- Your friends (new and old) will need to contact you in London
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| Mobile Networks |
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Here are the major mobile networks that you could use:
- Vodafone;
- 02;
- Orange; and
- T-mobile
Given that you have no credit history in the UK, it is likely that none of the mobile networks will offer you a "Pay monthly", which is either a 12 or 18 month contract, which you pay monthly at an agreed tariff. Instead it is likely that your only option is a "Pay as you talk," given that your credit history is not taken into account. As your credit runs out based on the "Pay as you talk" tariff you just top it up in store, on line or through your mobile.
The main advantages of "Pay as you talk" are:
- This deal can be purchased as a SIM card only or with a mobile phone. This will be dependent on your own personal circumstances, i.e. you may have a mobile phone that you are using in your home country that can be used in London;
- You are not tied into a long term contract; and
- You get a UK mobile number immediately.
Whilst the tariff rates on a "Pay monthly" are usually more competitive than "Pay as you talk", this is unavoidable in the short term. Within 3-6 months once you have built a credit history you can change to a "Pay monthly".
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| Phone Cards |
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Phone cards in London:
The best form of communication and also one of the cheapest ways to talk with family and friends back home is through a phone card using a telephone landline. Since leaving in London we have been using Nomi-Phone, click on www.nomi-phone.com
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