Spain now included on 3

[robing]

Mobile provider 3 have just announced that Spain and New Zealand will be included in their feel at home service, which means you can use your phone there for free. Calls, texts and internet just come off your monthly allowances. Great news for me as I am touring Spain and France this summer. France was added a while back.

 

[andym]

Good news - but strictly speaking not 'free' just 'costs the same as it would in the UK'.

 

[robing]

Yes, true, but a heck of a lot cheaper than roaming charges particularly data.

 

[andym]

Yes, true, but a heck of a lot cheaper than roaming charges particularly data.

3 definitely score if you're already a subscriber, or doing a tour through more than one country. It's also a pretty reasonable deal if you only buy as a one-off for mobile internet for a shorter trip.

For calls, if you aren't already a 3 subscriber it may just be cheaper to roam with your existing provider - because you may end up paying for credit that you don't use. If you go on a long trip or to the same country a lot then it may be better to get a local SIM, but only if the credit you put on the card doesn't expire.

For data on longer trips it may be better to get a local SIM - in Italy for example 3 has pretty good coverage but Telecom Italia was a bit better.