Keeping UK SIM/Phone number

[Xyrstine 224]

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations on how I am able to keep my UK phone number active in the US? I have looked online and there are some options such as Three network offering "like home" roaming in the US but I don't want to commit to a network that I may not get signal/reception in. 

 

I just want to keep my mobile number for any important contacts. I already have a dual SIM Phone where I intend to have a US SIM card as well. Has anyone been able to successfully keep their number without committing to a phone subscription? 

 

I think I may end up trialling a Pay as you go SIM (on Three) network and hope there is signal or just rely on WiFi to connect if there is no other option. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

It sounds expensive with international roaming and such considerations.  My kids call on What’s App to my American phone number. No cost.

[Boiler 45,525]

Most of my calls are on wifi so does not matter where I am as far as International Calling is concerned

 

You would most likely not want the ability to make or receive international calls..

Edited October 14, 2020 by Boiler

[brainless69 251]

2 hours ago, Xyrstine said:

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations on how I am able to keep my UK phone number active in the US? I have looked online and there are some options such as Three network offering "like home" roaming in the US but I don't want to commit to a network that I may not get signal/reception in. 

 

I just want to keep my mobile number for any important contacts. I already have a dual SIM Phone where I intend to have a US SIM card as well. Has anyone been able to successfully keep their number without committing to a phone subscription? 

 

I think I may end up trialling a Pay as you go SIM (on Three) network and hope there is signal or just rely on WiFi to connect if there is no other option. 

I changed from my monthly contract to a PAYG contract on three. its easier. Just top up once every three months with minimum £5 and fake call or send a text to show number is still being used. No problems thus far

[ConnorS 85]

3 hours ago, brainless69 said:

I changed from my monthly contract to a PAYG contract on three. its easier. Just top up once every three months with minimum £5 and fake call or send a text to show number is still being used. No problems thus far

I do similar to this but with giffgaff, only need to make an active call or text once every 6 months to keep it active and top it up with a cheeky wee tenner.

 

Mine is mainly because my numbers linked to what'sapp and that's what friends and family back there use to contact me on 

[The4Sands 67]

17 hours ago, Xyrstine said:

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations on how I am able to keep my UK phone number active in the US? I have looked online and there are some options such as Three network offering "like home" roaming in the US but I don't want to commit to a network that I may not get signal/reception in. 

 

I just want to keep my mobile number for any important contacts. I already have a dual SIM Phone where I intend to have a US SIM card as well. Has anyone been able to successfully keep their number without committing to a phone subscription? 

 

I think I may end up trialling a Pay as you go SIM (on Three) network and hope there is signal or just rely on WiFi to connect if there is no other option. 

I'm with Three and I've been travelling to the States for about 5 years with their "like home" thing and have had no problems.  Having said that, I am undecided about what to do with my phone now that we are about to be in the States permanently.  My experience of trying to move back to the US was significantly complicated by not having an American mobile number, so I'm loathe to get rid of my British one because we would like to come back here some day in the medium to long term.  We're still keeping our UK bank accounts and I mostly access those using my UK mobile (and get alerts about changes/issues with the accounts), so for that alone I think it might be worth it to keep.

 

I like the idea of switching to PAYG though, that would probably save me a lot of money.  Assuming "like home" still operates for PAYG.

[Boiler 45,525]

Nat West are happy to use my US number.

[shallot343 116]

On 10/14/2020 at 6:06 PM, brainless69 said:

I changed from my monthly contract to a PAYG contract on three. its easier. Just top up once every three months with minimum £5 and fake call or send a text to show number is still being used. No problems thus far

My partner is planning to do the same! He has had his number for 15 years and doesn't want to let it go. Can you top up with a US bank account, or does it need to be UK? (we are leaving the UK account open anyway but there is all the extra faff of making sure money is in there too)

[brainless69 251]

49 minutes ago, shallot343 said:

My partner is planning to do the same! He has had his number for 15 years and doesn't want to let it go. Can you top up with a US bank account, or does it need to be UK? (we are leaving the UK account open anyway but there is all the extra faff of making sure money is in there too)

i've not tried using a foreign bank card yet, i just keep using my UK bank cards as i left my bank accounts open. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, shallot343 said:

My partner is planning to do the same! He has had his number for 15 years and doesn't want to let it go. Can you top up with a US bank account, or does it need to be UK? (we are leaving the UK account open anyway but there is all the extra faff of making sure money is in there too)

Your US bank may charge a fee for a foreign transaction. A better answer might come from asking your bank if you can use their debit card internationally and how much they charge.

[trudi 1,317]

On 10/15/2020 at 8:27 AM, Boiler said:

Nat West are happy to use my US number.

Lloyd's have no problem with using my US number either

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

 

Try porting your number to Google Voice.

 

Google "using Google Voice when abroad."

 

[Hannahl4211 42]

I have the cheapest 3 monthly tariff (£6 a month) and it works perfectly! Plus whenever I come back I already have a phone ready to go. Highly recommend 

[LukeU 413]

On 10/14/2020 at 3:41 PM, Xyrstine said:

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations on how I am able to keep my UK phone number active in the US? I have looked online and there are some options such as Three network offering "like home" roaming in the US but I don't want to commit to a network that I may not get signal/reception in. 

 

I just want to keep my mobile number for any important contacts. I already have a dual SIM Phone where I intend to have a US SIM card as well. Has anyone been able to successfully keep their number without committing to a phone subscription? 

 

I think I may end up trialling a Pay as you go SIM (on Three) network and hope there is signal or just rely on WiFi to connect if there is no other option. 

When I moved, I had 6 moths remaining on my three UK Contract. £33 a month I believe it was, unlimited text/calls/data and roaming in 60(?) countries? GoRoam I believe it was. Was lovely to be able to just call my bank etc and sort stuff out like that just nicer than whatsapp. I will 100% be purchasing a three pay as you go SIM for when we visit in the UK instead of having to struggle with roaming fees US>UK also. 

 

Honestly, I often had better signal that my USC wife on Verizon because as a roamer, you bounce between towers of different providers (AT&T/T-mobile etc).

Edited October 20, 2020 by LukeU

[Xyrstine 224]

53 minutes ago, LukeU said:

When I moved, I had 6 moths remaining on my three UK Contract. £33 a month I believe it was, unlimited text/calls/data and roaming in 60(?) countries? GoRoam I believe it was. Was lovely to be able to just call my bank etc and sort stuff out like that just nicer than whatsapp. I will 100% be purchasing a three pay as you go SIM for when we visit in the UK instead of having to struggle with roaming fees US>UK also. 

 

Honestly, I often had better signal that my USC wife on Verizon because as a roamer, you bounce between towers of different providers (AT&T/T-mobile etc).

This is really useful, thank you. I was worried about reception and connectivity as I didn't want to commit to a contract if I couldn't use it. Three are currently doing some special offers such as 12GB data and unlimited mins/texts to UK for £8.