How can I most affordably use my iPhone in the UK during a long-term study abroad period? [closed]

I'm from the United States, and I currently have an iPhone 4s on the Sprint network. In late September (2013), I'll be flying to the UK for a year of studying abroad at Oxford University until June (2014). My Sprint contract expires towards the end of October 2013. I'd like to use my iPhone in the UK instead of getting a new phone, so here are my questions:

Can I use my current American iPhone on a UK phone network?
If so, what UK phone network would be the best choice for a short-term (aprox 9 month) plan?
What is my best bet (web service, phone apps, calling plan, etc.) for making international voice calls back to the US?

budget uk cellphones

Best Answer

1) Yes your phone can work overseas. With Sprint it seems that you will have to request for them to unlock the phone for international use. They appear to have a requirement that you are an existing customer in good standing - which I take to mean that you pay your bills. Call Sprint Worldwide Care on 888.226.7212 to get it done.

2) Plenty of the uk operators do Pay as you go plans, or monthly plans depending on what you're after in a plan.

e.g. O2 Pay and go

20 pounds - 250 mins, 2500 texts and 500MB data (doubles after 3 months)

Three Pay as you go

15 pounds - 300 minutes, 3000 texts, All-you-can-eat data

etc. Shop around for what you are after. Sims for these companies should be free (or cheap - 99c) according to UK friends.

There is aslo t-mobile, giffgaff and others.

3) Viber is an awesome app. Though there is a UK phone co called Lebara who appear to have US calling included in their 29 pound plan. So that could be an option.

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How do I use my iPhone when traveling internationally?

How to Use Your iPhone When Traveling Abroad (Without Breaking the Bank)

Use WiFi for Calling and Texting. Turn Off Data Roaming. Use WiFi-Based Apps and Services.

Contact Your Carrier.

Use Another SIM Card. Option 1: Buy or Rent an In-Country Prepaid SIM. Option 2: Use a Travel SIM Card.

What should I do with my phone when studying abroad?

By far the best options for communication while you're studying abroad are apps like Skype, Viber, and Whatsapp. With a decent internet connection, these free apps allow you to call, text, and video chat to your heart's content with contacts around the world.

Can I put a foreign SIM card in an iPhone?

It's entirely possible to use international SIM cards with iPhones. An international SIM card can be a convenient, cost-effective option depending on your travel plans. However, there are still challenges associated with physical SIM cards and traveling abroad.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad in the UK | Moving to England

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