hi- i have a tmo plan and usually add the international data plan (19.99 pro rata) which works fine BUT voice usage is VERY expensive incoming and outgoing-retrieving voicemail and sms etc- i usually just use the data and have a UK mobile pay as you go which means- people still call my BB who dont know or fogot i am abroad and that is expensive to receive and i also have to carry to phones (and pay as you go isnt that cheap either)

has anyone found a better way - can i buy a local SIM card for insertion into BB that will give me a good local plan and be able to get my email etc- what will the number be-and will i be able to leave a voicmail message on original number to alert callers- if so will i pay roaming on the voicemail calls (callers calling in)

is is going to be cost effective? y

Yes/No pretty much any 'high street store' can hit you up with a UK sim card on a pre-paid tariff - say $20 upfront, but this doesn't support BB. If you need BB then you'll need a contract tariff.

All UK mobile numbers will start 077, 078, 079 so from the US this is +4477, +4478, +4479 respectively.

Yes you can leave a voicemail. No you wont pay roaming provided that you set voicemail and then turn your phone off in the USA and don't turn it on in the UK with the US sim card in it.

Definately provided you are here for a decent time frame. If not then just use roaming and make sure you don't over use it..

Yes i have one suggestion, have a nice time.

not really as i'd hoped - ill stick to my usual annoying and expensive way

and bigberry giid to see a chelsea fan reply- i'm not coopski for nothing

And i'm no johnny come lately either

Here's a suggestion - eat a lot BEFORE you go - the food's horrible !!

What not enough mayonaise?

Not enough flavor!

Nooooooooooooooooooo just not enough fat maybe, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm burgers fries, oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo heart disease

LOL- got do something to to counter the miserable weather- beer, chips & chocolate

REAL CHIPS that is with salt & vinegar

coopski i see you are a true believer.

Just so baggman knows what you mean, thats CHIPS not bleedin french fries, salt and MALT vinegar.

My recommendation would be to utilize your voicemail and alert callers to use your data services as possible. If you are saying that your data rates will be cheaper than voice rates?

I am not sure how much of a requirement your voice calls are. Calls to your voicemail should not incur airtime roaming charges as the voicemail service wouldn't be travelling to the United Kingdom with you.

Just a suggestion,
--Phil

Have TMO unlock your phone and purchase pre-paid sims in the UK, its alot cheaper and saves money, as I do it all the time..........The only downfall is you cant get emails with prepaid sims, but I bring my laptop so its not really a bid deal

You guys invented the language, don't you understand it?:
Not enough flavor!

Yes we did, that's why we know it's flavour

Touché - wait, that's French, and nobody likes them.