Mobiles
The main mobile telephone networks in
the UK are:
Orange: http://www.orange.co.uk
Vodafone: http://www.vodafone.co.uk
T-Mobile (previously called One 2 One):
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk
(Virgin Mobile uses this network:
http://www.virginmobile.com
)
O2 (previously called BT Cellnet): http://www.O2.co.uk
Many travellers choose to travel with
mobile phones for making reservations,
keeping in touch with family and friends
(especially other travel friends) and
are essential if you are looking for work.
Generally a pre-paid mobile phone deal
will ultimately save you more money.
Emergencies
If there is a serious emergency, dial
999 (or 112) and ask to be connected to
the Fire, Police or Ambulance service
(or a special rescue service such as the
Coast Guard, Mountain Rescue or Cave Rescue).
The call is free.
UK telephone number enquiry services
To look up a UK telephone number free
on the internet, see BT's Directory Enquiries
service at: http://www.bt.com/directory-enquiries/dq_home.jsp
or dial 118 500 for BT's telephone enquiry
service. There is a combination of a connection
charge and a charge per minute. Call 192
for directory enquiries.
Phoning the UK from abroad
Start with the international dialling
code from your country.
Next, dial the country code for the UK,
which is 44.
Finally, dial the UK number, without the
first 0.
Phoning abroad from the UK
The international telephone code when
calling abroad from the UK is 00.
Country codes are listed online at http://www.bt.com
and choose Directory Enquiries and
then International. You can also telephone
152 to find out a number in another country.
There are normally two types of phones,
one takes money and the other takes prepaid
phone cards and credit cards. Some accept
both. Some codes worth knowing include:
0345 - local call rate
0800 - toll free call
0845 - local call rate
0870 - national call rate
0891 - premium rate
0990 - national call rate
Operator
If you are having problems making a call,
you can contact the UK Operator on 100,
or the International Operator on 155.
For directory enquiries call 192.
Landline Calls
For calls within the UK it is usually
cheaper if you can call before 08:00 or
after 18:00 on weekdays, or anytime at
weekends. Phone calls made on national
holidays ("bank holidays") are often charged
as if they were ordinary days - do not
assume that weekend rates will apply.
Voicemail
This is a good option if you don't have
a phone but still want a phone number.
Fax
If you need to send or receive faxes virutally
all Scottish post offices will provide
this service (telecopies or telefaxes).
