They work fine in Sharm just check with Orange that your contract phone has it's Roaming Bars off and what it costs per call
contract is USUALLY cheaper than PAYG abroad

check text prices too sometimes abroad picture texts are treated as data so are cheaper than normal texts so you could send a picture AND a text to go with it

thanks i will contact orange

Hi,

I've looked into it and am also on orange and they charge a whopping 50p a text and extortionate amounts for phoning.

Just wondering if there are any pay phones in Hurghada as this may be cheaper option?? Also is it cheap enough to phone out from hotel room phones??

Thanks Elaine

I went in April and barely used my O2 mobile.....however the small calls and texts I did make cost an absolute fortune in comparison to European rates. The worst charges I've ever encountered abroad by far

I would advise PAYG to keep an eye on your costs, two years ago my dad died whilst in sharm, to telephone home my bill for 40 mins was £58 plus VAT !!! i was on t mobile and orange.

We've a topic here regarding Vodaphone's offer for calls etc from abroad. They are offering free sims as well if your phone will accept them:-

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=134095

Oh Yes Vodafone

Don't forget Egypt IS NOT on passport before they try to kidology you

Orange £2.57 a minute 35p for text and DRAT they've plugged the data loop hole £1.50 for piccie messages

We always take an unlocked phone with us and buy a local sim with credit.

Nicki

Ah thanks for that Gray - I never checked re Egypt

I'm on orange and if I remember correctly mine was £1.75 a minute and 40p a text

The Dolphin and myself are on o2 contract. Our texts come out of our monthly allowance (1 text abroad = 4 texts at home). Therefore our 400 allowed each month would equate to 100 free sent from abroad.

I know O2 cost 40p per text, not sure about calls... Think I shall be sticking to texting

madcaravanner wrote:

Orange £2.57 a minute 35p for text and DRAT they've plugged the data loop hole £1.50 for piccie messages

chelsea1 wrote:

I'm on orange and if I remember correctly mine was £1.75 a minute and 40p a text :yikes

Chelsea
that was last year I got those prices from Orange at the end of last month

Heres what it is for O2 PAYG

Travelling To Egypt
In Egypt you can use O2's Home from Home service which allows you to make a call or send a text with your Pay & Go mobile just like you do in the UK.

You can call UK numbers without an international prefix, e.g. 01753 xxx xxx for Slough.

You must dial in country numbers and other countries with the full international prefix - for Egypt this is +20.

To listen to voicemail just dial 901.

Call charges
This table charts Call Charges. Prices are incl. VAT Call Charges
To a fixed line UK number or O2 mobile (from outside the EU) 99p/min
All calls from the EU to a UK number 35p/min
To other UK Mobile (from outside the EU) £1.49/min
Top-Up Free
International Directory Enquiries £1.49/min
Receiving a Call non EU 99p/min
Receiving a Call in the EU 18p/min
Text Messages in the EU 25p
Text Messages in the rest of the world 49p

I am with the 3 network..this is there charges for contract phones.
sendin / recieving
Voice call to UK & countries in the same band £2 / min £1 / min
Voice call to countries in different bands £2 / min £1 / min
Text messages 35p / message Free
Video calls £2 / min £1.50 / min
Internet & Data £6 / MB £6 / MB
Picture Messages 25p / message (to UK nos) & 35p / message (to non-UK nos) Free
Video Messages 50p / message (to UK nos) & 75p / message (to non-UK nos) Free

Using mobiles abroad? Forget it.
I sent picture messages back home as well as accepting incoming calls from my mom who was always asking how my 7 month old baby was getting on. £145 later its very upsetting.
Best advice text and don't speak with anyone unless you really have to.

NEVER accept incoming calls while abroad as it costs a small fortune

I'm thinking of taking my phone, but only using it for web access when I can get free WiFi - so it'll be emails instead of photo texts this year (shame they stopped that one,but not a surprise !!)

hi if your phone is unlock you are better to use a egypt sim card calls and text cheaper sim cards are cheap and just top up as u want