Pack your bags, we're going on 'oliday -- super-cheap phone network GiffGaff has finally introduced overseas Internet browsing. And is it cheap as frites? Yes and no.
Mobile data roaming costs £1.50 per MB to browse the Web, check your email or update social networks in countries in the EU. That's pretty decent. Outside the EU, however, it's £5 per MB, which isn't so hot.
GiffGaff is a mobile network that keeps prices down by crowdsourcing support and advertising -- customers are rewarded with points for answering each others' problems on the GiffGaff user forums and recruiting new customers. And what do points mean? Prizes! In this case, phone credit.
Customers can either take advantage of cheap pay as you go prices, or buy month-long 'goodybags', which mix minutes, data and text. All calls and texts to other GiffGaffers are free, and the cheapest deal nets you an hour on the phone, 300 texts and a free minute for every minute spent talking to someone who's called you, all for just £5. A tenner a month gets you 250 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet. Yes, unlimited Internet for just £10 per month.
We'd like to see a roaming goodybag that gave us a big ol' chunk of data for when we go away. We'd also like an iPad goodybag to take advantage of cheap Interneting on our 3G tablets.
The only downside to GiffGaff is there isn't the same level of customer support as other networks, but GiffGaff staff are active in the forums and dedicated GiffGaffers are quick to answer problems. And ask yourself how many times you've called your phone network with problems recently. If it's none, you know you don't need support. If it's lots -- surely it's time you switched networks anyway.
This Craver has been with GiffGaff for years, and never had any problems at all. Now that the network has added data roaming, there's no reason to be on any other network -- unless you hate money, and want to waste it on expensive contracts.
Are you with GiffGaff? What do you think of the network and its new data-roaming prices? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 8
Add your comment
Anonymous 29 July, 2011 19:00
What's the good news?
£1.50 per MB is still nowhere near the mark. I get cheaper than that with T-Mobile packages in Europe.
Keep on trying all of you. Maybe a fiver for 50MB would entice me.
573W1E 29 July, 2011 22:46
I'm on GiffGaff and its the best mobile phone decision I have ever made :D even better than me switching to Android from iOS
anonymous 29 July, 2011 23:01
Let's remember that the gaffer (giffgaff CEO) has stated that the coming data goodybag will allow tethering and tablet use.
Anonymous 30 July, 2011 13:25
I'm on giffgaff with my htc desire - best network by far. I use spottily in work on nightshifts and the unlimited internet is handy. I'll never change to a contract phone again!
It's really o2 so I have signal everywhere and the stuff you get for £10 or £15 blows all other operators out of the water. Actual unlimited internet!
Anonymous 30 July, 2011 13:26
spotify* blimmin lion predictive spelling!
Howard10000 30 July, 2011 23:34
I also use my T-Mobile phone in Europe at the far more reasonable price of £5 for 50MB.
GiffGaff's price seems alarming.
anonymous 31 July, 2011 12:48
Sure, you wouldn't want to do any heavy web surfing or video watching at £1.50 /Mb, but combine GiffGaff's general pricing and freedom from contracts with the option to at least do basic stuff abroad (checking email, Twitter or finding yourself on a map) and it's a pretty attractive deal
anonymous 1 August, 2011 12:09
I would get a GiffGaff sim quicker than you can say GiffGaff but O2 coverage is awful where I live (GiffGaff uses O2's network) and 3G isn't planned until 2014! 3 is still my network of choice for now.