Cell Phone

[iancanton]

u can send free sms via the internet to most rogers cellphone subscribers in canada.

http://websms.rogers.page.ca/2way/

if u choose one of the pay-as-u-go animal plans on the orange network, then u can pick up a free orange sim card in any orange shop in the uk. orange pay-as-u-go credit lasts for six months, so it's suitable for light users.

ian.

[Steven]

Rates are lower in the UK generally speaking (because it's more on a per-use basis rather than fixed expensive plans), and service is better because there is more competition. Only Rogers has a decent 3G/HSDPA network in Canada whereas there are three or four in the UK that do.

You might be better off buying a phone in Canada though simply because taxes are lower, as long as it has no SIM restrictions on it, you can just buy a SIM in the UK and put it in.

I've done it both ways, Canadian SIM in a UK phone and vice versa, the problem is if the phone is locked by the carrier obviously. But it can be done if you get the right phone.

You can certainly text backwards and forwards, I do it all the time. You get charged more obviously for international SMS. Make sure you get the number right though, e.g. +19051234567 or to text to the UK it would be along the lines of +442081234567

It's relatively simple to try it before you go if you're worried, just find someone using the same carrier you want to use in the UK and get them to text you.

[toots]

You get stock alerts or some channels can be seen through idea and cell one connections

[WICKED]

i have found the phones in britain to be cheaper because they are on newer technologies. there are a lot of asian shops that sell used phones. also, if you get a phone that works in canada, it doesnt mean it will work in britain. they are on a newer frequency.

[lesterb]

if you google martins money saving tips he has a weekly email sending out lots of best buys, mobile phones are well covered and it has saved me a bundle