Channel Islands - do UK mobiles & dongles work there?

[Babylon]

Do the CI's count as 'abroad' or can I use my mobile comms as usual without paying hideously high charges?

 

[yesod]

they count as abroad. you get raped.

 

[Bandit]

There are three main suppliers in Guernsey

Sure ( Cable and Wireless)
JT jersey telecom
Airtel Vodaphone

It all depends on how your Uk supplier contract allows it. I assume if you are with Vodaphone I assume you get a better deal with Airtel Vodaphone.

Ask your Supplier.

If your mobile is not locked to one sim card supplier you can buy PAYG sim cards easily.

Basically all mobile phone networks including your own screw you rotten when overseas, its a scandal!

 

[Seven Spades]

I am with Orange and I have data roaming switched off, so when I go abroad I do not come home with a huge unexpected bill. HOWEVER, for some reason the C.I.'s are not seen by the phone as roaming and connect even though data roaming is switched off(I think that the C.I.'s are seen as part of the British Isles by the phone hence not-roaming, the phone companies don't see it the same way!). As a result I have to change the settings on my iPhone to actually manually switch off data when I am in the C.I.'s

 

[Babylon]

I am with Orange and I have data roaming switched off, so when I go abroad I do not come home with a huge unexpected bill. HOWEVER, for some reason the C.I.'s are not seen by the phone as roaming and connect even though data roaming is switched off(I think that the C.I.'s are seen as part of the British Isles by the phone hence not-roaming, the phone companies don't see it the same way!). As a result I have to change the settings on my iPhone to actually manually switch off data when I am in the C.I.'s

I'm also with Orange, but only have an idiot phone with a very basic browser (which stays off unless I use it to check weather). Presumably, from what you say, I'd be able to use the phone as a phone without being hit for higher call charges?

The second issue is an internet dongle for use with the laptop. I use a Vodafone PAYG dongle in the UK, but assume this won't then work in the CI's, or I'll be charged a bomb for using it.

Can I get a cheap PAYG dongle when I'm over there?

 

[st599]

No. They aren't even in the EU so you don't even have the maximum roaming charge protection.

You get screwed for calls.

 

[makingplansfor]

£5 per day for Blackberry data services! Go for the PAYG sim for phone and dongle as soon as you arrive - there are a couple of phone shops in StPP main shopping street.

 

[strudders]

I am in the mobile telecoms business (travel sims) and I can confirm that (a) you will be roaming and (b) the Channel Islands are one of the most expensive places in the world for data. Currently sat in St Peter Port and am delighted to tell you that at last the wifi works - posting this for example!

 

[sailorman]

Do the CI's count as 'abroad' or can I use my mobile comms as usual without paying hideously high charges?

Dont get ill either that will make roaming seem very inexpensive

 

[JSYmartini]

Dont get ill either that will make roaming seem very inexpensive

Jersey negotiated the reinstatement of the reciprocal health agreement in 2011, although Guernsey and IOM have yet to do so.

 

[Babylon]

£5 per day for Blackberry data services! Go for the PAYG sim for phone and dongle as soon as you arrive - there are a couple of phone shops in StPP main shopping street.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Orange have confirmed that I'll be charged the same for calls, 25p/min, as anywhere else abroad (eg France).

For data, I'll buy me a PAYG dongle for the laptop when I get there.

 

[Robin]

we always managed to hook onto an open wifi in st peter Port, getting a signal out in the harbor from a hotel, pub or café. the HM wIfi may have improved BUT you had to go ashore to get the access code and the signal was dreadful anyway. We had an external mini- dish type Wifi aerial ( Hawking IIRC)

Otherwise with O2 on the cellphones we would choose to connect to the French SFR network which was always good and receivable in St Peter Port and also out at sea in the area

 

[FinesseChris]

Guernsey mobile

On my way across on the Condor cat last month, about 10 miles N of the Casquets the phone pinged and a text from Vodafone said "welcome to Iceland".

Got a bit worried about the condor chap's nav skills but we turned up in guernsey OK.

C

 

[arto]

Good WiFi in St Peter Port - both in the marina and on the pontoons outside - included in the mooring fees. I made extensive use of this a couple of weeks back. Certainly fine for checking email and weather forecasts though they tell you not to use it for "streaming" services.