Vodaphone Spain pay as you go account transfered to UK, and rest of Europe? Possible?

[saren]

This just proves how useless phone cards are then.

They advertise Global Access Numbers nowadays, they don't even call them toll-free anymore (probably because they know their cards don't work toll free from payphones).

I guess I will buy a Polish SIM on arrival, and consider my Chopin phone card purchase a mistake (lesson learned).

In the UK, tmobile offers free SIMS, and Asdamobile sells sims for 3 pounds. Is there a company offering free SIMS (via the post mail) in Poland?

I now feel more inclined to stop using phone cards alltogether and depend on local SIMS everywhere I go.

[petkow]

Originally Posted by saren

This just proves how useless phone cards are then.
In the UK, tmobile offers free SIMS..

If you do have one of these... you can make very cheap international calls through them e.g. USA, Canada at 3p/min. (even cheaper than calling the UK) In most cases much cheaper than an international phonecard. If you search for yourcallworld here in the forum you will find out how.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by saren

This just proves how useless phone cards are then.

They advertise Global Access Numbers nowadays, they don't even call them toll-free anymore (probably because they know their cards don't work toll free from payphones).

Well, they could hire a real toll free (=local 0 800) number for use in Poland which could be available also from payphones and even mobile phones. However, this would require some arrangment with local operators. Setting a 00-800 number is an access number for Poland is much easier, I suppose. Of course, it won't be toll free but who cares ?

Originally Posted by saren

I guess I will buy a Polish SIM on arrival, and consider my Chopin phone card purchase a mistake (lesson learned).

You're right. However, the Chopin basic per minute rate 55 cents/min for Poland to Polish mobile phones (disregarding the payphone per-call surcharges 99 cents + local payphone access >15 cents per call) is better than "direct" rate payphone to Polish mobile . It's because payphones are pretty expensive here and basically for any destination a better mobile tariff can be found.

Originally Posted by saren

In the UK, tmobile offers free SIMS, and Asdamobile sells sims for 3 pounds. Is there a company offering free SIMS (via the post mail) in Poland?

Yes, at of today, Orange, but sends to Polish addresses only. However, all SIM brands can be easily purchased at 5 to 30 PLN (moreless $2 to $12) and usually 90-100% of the price is available credit (100% on all cards >=20 PLN).

Originally Posted by saren

I now feel more inclined to stop using phone cards alltogether and depend on local SIMS everywhere I go.

In some countries there is some beaurocracy mess when purchasing even a prepaid SIM (so far not in Poland). Are you prepared for this ?