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The National Geographic Talk Abroad 'Lite' Phone

 
Cell Phone Rental w/ included SIM Card for the U.K.

Standard GSM Cell Phone Rental Rates - voice and text only
1-7 days 8-14 days 15-28 days 29-42 days 43-56 days
$49.95* $69.95* $89.95* $109.95*
Cheaper to buy
$129.95*
Cheaper to buy
*PLUS the price of (1) recharge voucher for initial talk credit ($19.00 each). This gives 125 international or 100 local minutes! See per minute rates below.
Departure Date? Return Date?
Compare prices with our Phone & SIM purchase packages for the UK.
Taking an iPad, iPhone or laptop?
See our UK Data Hotspot Rentals here!


Deluxe Cell Phone Rental Rates (WiFi-enabled phone)
1-7 days 8-14 days 15-28 days 29-42 days 43-56 days
$69.95* $89.95* $109.95* $129.95*
Cheaper to buy
$149.95*
Cheaper to buy
*PLUS the price of (1) recharge voucher for initial talk credit ($19.00 each). This gives 125 international or 100 local minutes! See per minute rates below.
Departure Date? Return Date?

Information and Talk Rates Chart

Key Features
  • Local United Kingdom cell phone number
  • Unlimited FREE incoming calls from anywhere
  • FREE mobile-to-mobile calls
  • Voicemail
  • SMS Text Messages
Initial Credit

£5.00 GBP
125 mins International
or
100 mins Domestic

Available add-ons

$59.00 "Unlimited" add-on
Up to 3000 minutes of local or international calling, or 3000 local or international text messages and 1GB of Data for 30 days

Domestic Talk Rates

Free incoming
US$0.08 outgoing to land lines
$0.16 outgoing to cell phones
Free Lebara-to-Lebara calls*

International Talk Rates

Free incoming
US$0.06 outgoing

Text Messages (SMS)

Free Incoming
US $0.14 Outgoing
Free Lebara to Lebara SMS*

Data Service (Internet/Email)

50p ($0.77) for first 10MB (daily)
15p ($0.23) per megabyte thereafter

Standard data is not supported on BlackBerry models - BlackBerry service available separately

*Free Lebara-to-Lebara calls and SMS = 100 minutes or 100 SMS with initial credit.
**All Calls between Lebara to Lebara cell phones are free for the first 15 minutes and charged at 10p thereafter

You also get:

  • A United Kingdom cell phone number–you'll have the number before you depart!
  • SIM comes with 125 minutes of initial talk time back to the US
  • Easy-to-add call credit which you can obtain before you leave and during your trip by calling Cellular Abroad. Our recharge service is open 7 days/week .
  • Unlimited FREE incoming calls from anywhere.
  • All Calls between Lebara to Lebara cell phones are free for the first 15 minutes and charged at 10p thereafter
  • All SMS between Lebara and Lebara cell phones are free
  • Calls back to the US only $0.06 USD a minute to the US!
  • Domestic outgoing rates only $0.08 USD per minute
  • Voicemail
  • Data for internet and email (deluxe rental option only) - 50p ($0.77) for the first 10MB, 15p ($0.23) per megabyte thereafter
  • No yearly contract, monthly charges, daily minimum charges, minimum minutes per call charges or credit check
  • From a landline, (NOT from payphones, mobile phones, and majority of hotels) Cellular Abroad can be reached 8am to 8pm EST, 7 days a week with English customer support and recharge services by dialing this number: 00-800-3623-3333. From a cell: (310)862-7100 or email us at support@cellularabroad.com

Please visit our United Kingdom Pre-Paid SIM Card page for further information including exact rates.

How do Cellular Abroad rates for the United Kingdom compare to your current carrier?

Cellular Abroad AT&T* Verizon* Sprint* T-Mobile*
Incoming Free $1.29 $1.29 $1.29 $0.99
Outgoing local $0.15 $1.29 $1.29 $1.29 $0.99
Calls to N. America $0.06 $1.29 $1.29 $1.29 $0.99

*prices exclude taxes which are approximately 20% of value.

Our Rental Services
Our Country Specific rental packages include the rental of an unlocked GSM Quad-Band Phone and the purchase of a SIM card specific to your destination country. There are two phone rental packages available: The standard rental package features an unlocked Motorola V180 cell phone. Our Deluxe rental package features the BLU Speed WiFi-enabled phone. Both phones are compact and light-weight. Please see below for pricing and details.

Cellular Abroad Rental Service for UK

Enjoy the convenience and security of cellular service in the UK and make calls to the US and Canada for only 4p a minute (about 6 pennies!). In addition, incoming calls are free from anywhere in the world. Local calls are 5p which is about $0.08 per minute. If you need even more minutes or unlimited access to the internet, select our “Unlimited Everything Plan” offering unlimited calls – even to the US and Canada – and unlimited data service. Since our service is a pay as you go, there are no contracts to sign, no bills to pay and you are in complete control of your costs. Here’s how it works, simply rent one of our cell phones for the United Kingdom, either the standard or deluxe model (featuring a QWERTY keypad – perfect for texting – as well as WiFi capabilities), plus initial talk time. You can purchase additional call credit through Cellular Abroad or locally in over 90,000 stores. There is a surcharge for purchasing additional talk time through Cellular Abroad but it is good to know you have this convenient option.

Besides the low rates, the service offers exceptional network coverage (on the Vodafone network: click for coverage map), unlimited free incoming calls from any location in the world and a UK-based cell phone number.

Unlimited Everything Plan

New for 2012! You can now buy the "Unlimited Everything" Plan from Cellular Abroad and get unlimited calls and SMS text messages to UK and North American phone numbers, as well as unlimited data usage, for 30 days. To get the most use from this feature, we recommend using the deluxe phone. This new add-on feature is available to buy here.

Important! If your trip to the United Kingdom is for two or more weeks, please consider purchasing one of our UK packages. Our entry level packages costs about the same as renting a cell phone for two weeks. As our phones are unlocked, they also work with other SIM cards and therefore, you will never have to rent a phone again!

"Ahhhh.... lots of stories...lost luggage...late planes....wrong turns....damaged Mastercard....but a wonderfully clear, incredibly convenient, affordable, cellular connection to the states. That, thanks to you! What a smart move on my part."
C.B.

Service Information:

Dialing Instructions

Your UK Cell to USA: 001 – area code – phone number
US to UK Cell: 011 – Your UK number (starting with the 44)
Your UK Cell Number to UK: Direct Dial UK number
UK to Your UK Cell Number: 0 – your UK phone number (minus 44 country code)

Important: US toll free numbers are not accessible from overseas. Be sure to get valid international numbers prior to your departure.

Please Note: There is no support for service when roaming outside of the UK and Northern Ireland

Rental/Purchase Phone Setup

  • The SIM Card is installed
  • Make sure your phone is charged before you leave.
  • Your initial £5 voucher is already loaded
  • Your first outgoing call activates the service
  • If you purchased an "Unlimited Everything" plan from Cellular Abroad, please read the "Unlimted Everything Plan" section below

For SIM Card Only Purchases
Snap out the SIM chip from the SIM card and insert the chip into your GSM Phone with the metal portion facing down as to make contact with the contact prongs.

  • Your initial £5 voucher is already loaded
  • Your first outgoing call activates the service
  • If you purchased an "Unlimited Everything" plan from Cellular Abroad, please read the "Unlimted Everything Plan" section below

PIN and PUK Information
PIN has been deactivated

Unlimited Everything Plan

  • If you purchased the Unlimited Everything plan before your departure, you must contact Cellular Abroad at +13108627100 or 1-800-287-5072 to discuss the activation date of your plan.
  • Your Unlimited Everything plan will NOT be activated unless you contact Cellular Abroad.
  • If you are already in the UK, you can call Cellular Abroad at 00 1 310 862 7100 to purchase or activate the Unlimited Everything plan.
  • The Unlimited Everything plan does not include calls to premium rate UK numbers like 0800, 0891 or 0875 - these have their own high per-minute rates, and if you plan on making calls to premium rate numbers you may have to buy additional credit.
  • You must have a minimum credit of £0.15 to make and receive calls using the Unlimited Everything Plan.

Using Data

  • To set up data usage, you must be in the UK
  • Setting up via text: Send an SMS with the word SETTINGS to 40127 (SMS sent and received from this number are FREE). Lebara Mobile will send you two free texts to update your phones settings automatically. Be sure to accept these messages.
  • Setting up manually: Set your handset's Access Point Name (APN) manually to 'uk.lebara.mobi', username: 'wap' and password: 'wap'.
  • If you are still unable to setup your data account, please visit the Lebara Mobile UK website and follow the setup instructions.

BlackBerry Pass

The BlackBerry Pass allows you to use BlackBerry Messenger, push email and BlackBerry browser apps. To activate this feature, you must have £5.00 of call credit on your prepaid account balance. Dial 40090 SEND from your BlackBerry while you are in the UK, and follow the voice menu prompts to activate. This service may take up to 24 hours to activate. The BlackBerry Plan does not include BES services like corporate email or calendar syncing.

Voice Mail
To setup your voicemail, you will need a minimum of 15 pence on your account.

  • Dial 121 <send>. Follow the instructions to setup your personalized message.
  • From another phone please dial +447836 121121 and follow the instructions at the voice prompt.

Please note calls to Lebara Voicemail are charged at 15p per minute.

Checking Your Credit

  • Dial *#1345# <send> and your balance will be shown on your screen.
  • Or dial 5588 <send> and follow the voice prompts to check your balance.

Purchasing More Talk Time
The most convenient way is by calling Cellular Abroad 001 310-862-7100 or, from the UK, toll-free from a UK landline at 00 800 3623 3333 between 8am to 4pm PST, Monday through Saturday (English speaking reps).

UK Prepaid Talktime Recharge
only $19.00 for £5.00 of talk time credit

Have extra talk time credit to add to your prepaid account as soon as you arrive. Each of these recharges gives about 125 minutes of calls to the US or Canada or 100 minutes within the United Kingdom. Incoming calls are free while in the UK.


UNLIMITED EVERYTHING PLAN add-on
only $59.00 - Unlimited calls, texts and 1GB data for 30 days

Get unlimited outgoing (up to 3000) SMS text messages and calls to UK* or North American phone numbers, as well as 1GB of 3G speed data for up to 30 days.

*Unlimited Plan does not include 0800 or premium rate numbers that charge per minute.

Each of these recharges gives about 125 minutes of calls to the US or Canada or 100 minutes within the United Kingdom. Incoming calls are free while in the UK
 
You can also obtain them in the UK at any of the following:

Adding More Talk Time

  • Dial *#1345*(12-digit voucher number)#<send>.
  • Or call 5588<send> and follow the voice prompts to add talk time.

Troubleshooting
If you are unable to make or receive calls switch networks on your phone.  Consult your phone’s manual.  The steps will be like these:

  • Menu > Settings/Setup > Network > Available Network/Change Network > Search
  • Select a different network carrier than the one currently shown.

If you are receiving no reception bars, emergency calls only, SOS, or no service check your phones band setting:  Consult your phone’s manual. The steps will be like these:

  • Menu > Settings/Setup > Network > Network Setup >Band
  • Make sure you select 900/1800

Customer Service
For network or service issues:

  • Available from 9am to 6pm seven days a week. 
  • From UK landline or your handset, 15 pence/min. – 0870 075 5588
  • International Number – +442070310791

For hardware issues:

  • Please contact Cellular Abroad at +1-310-862-7100 (7 days/week English speaking reps) or via email at support@cellularabroad.com

Calling Rates
These rates are expressed in UK Pounds and are based on per-minute charges.  All incoming calls are free regardless of origin.

National

Other UK Mobiles:

10p ($0.15 US)

UK Landline calls:

5p ($0.08 US)

UK Text Messages:

10p ($0.15 US)

Picture Messaging:
(for messages of up to 100Kbs)

25p ($0.39 US)

Video Messaging:
(for messages of up to 100Kbs)

45p ($0.69 US)

Internet/GPRS:
(per megabyte of data transferred)

50p ($0.77) for the first 10MB
15p ($0.23) per megabyte thereafter


International

Landline

Mobile

Australia

4p ($0.07 US)

15p ($0.23 US)

China

4p ($0.06 US)

4p ($0.06 US)

EU

4p ($0.06 US)

13p ($0.20 US)

USA

4p ($0.06 US)

4p ($0.06 US)

Free Lebara-to-Lebara minutes

Topup Amount

Minutes

SMS text messages

GBP £5.00

100

100

GBP £10.00

250

250

GBP £20.00

500

500

GBP £30.00+

1000

1000

Roaming Rates
When visiting countries other than the UK, you are "roaming" with the Lebara UK SIM Card. While roaming, you can still make and receive calls:

International

Europe

Asia Pacific

North America

Making a call

38p ($0.60 US)

£1.00 ($1.53 US)

£1.00 ($1.53 US)

Receiving a call

15p ($0.23 US)

£1.00 ($1.53 US)

£1.50 ($2.22 US)

Outgoing SMS

10p ($0.15 US)

30p ($0.46 US)

30p ($0.46 US)

Receiving SMS

FREE

FREE

FREE

Data per MB

£2.50

£30

£30

For more detailed rates direct from Lebara Mobile, please visit
http://www.lebara-mobile.co.uk/en/internationaltariffs.php

Text Message Rates
Incoming – Free
Outgoing International – 10 pence/message (about $0.15/message)
Text messages can contain up to 160 characters.

Service Life
Lebara automatically deactivates SIM cards if call credit is not added once every 80 days. Unfortunately these SIM cards cannot be reconnected and the mobile number also stops being available for you to use after this time. Your initial 80 day service life begins on the day your item ships from Cellular Abroad.

To inquire about the possibility of extending your SIM card’s service life while outside the SIM card’s country of origin, contact the telecom provider's customer service, Cellular Abroad does not provide support for this feature.

Helpful Tips
 
  • Would you rather own your phone? This is a better option if your stay is 2 months or longer. Check out our package deals for United Kingdom!
    ..
  • Traveling to multiple countries? You may want to consider a Talk Abroad™ rental package.
    ..
  • Travelling in a group? You can save big on our dual phone rental package.

Important FAQs for Rentals

  • When do I order?
    You can order as far in advance as you like - even months prior to your departure. We will ship your rental at the appropriate date in order for you to receive it prior to your departure. Rentals are shipped ground or express service and will arrive 2 business days prior to your set departure date.
  • How many minutes do I have?
    Along with your rental you are purchasing an initial $19 credit voucher which will start you off with about 100 minutes of calls to the US or 50 minutes of calls within the U.K. Additional vouchers may be purchased from Cellular Abroad or from many retailers throughout the U.K.
  • What will this cost me?
    • The applicable rental period fee for the duration of your rental period.
    • $19 for initial talk-time voucher (1 per phone).
    • Round-trip shipping and handling fee (see below).
  • How much is shipping?
    If you order at least 2 weeks in advance, round-trip Ground shipping is only $12.88. If you are leaving soon, we offer round-trip 2-day Express for $29.96, or Overnight Express for $39.96. Rentals will arrive 2 business days prior to your set departure date.
  • What is the latest I can order a rental phone?
    You can order up to one business day prior to your departure as long as you call in before to 1:30pm Pacific Time. Exceptions can be made on a limited basis, even if you are leaving early in the morning - we can usually get your phone to you. Please call our 800 number (rather than order via the web) in order to confirm that we can get you a phone rental on time.
  • When do I get the phone?
    You will receive your cell phone rental two days prior to your departure, unless you require next day delivery.
  • Does the cell phone come charged?
    Yes it does, but it’s always best to test the battery and charge phone before your departure.
  • Can I charge this phone on my trip?
    Yes, you will receive an international charger and relevant plug adapters, so you can charge the phone in the U.S. or at your destination.
  • How do I return the phone?
    Round trip shipping is included in your shipping fee. You will be provided with a return sticker label, which you can put on the box the phone arrived in, or your own box. If using your own box please do not use an extremely oversized box. (Canadian rental customers click here)
  • What happens if I cancel?
    If your rental has not shipped, you will only be charged a 5% reserve fee. If your rental has been sent out, you are responsible for the one week rental fee plus the shipping fee.
  • Are there any surcharges or hidden fees?
    Unless you are roaming outside of the country or countries for which your service is offered, the rates are fixed according to our posted rate chart and coverage areas. All rental customers are subject to our Terms & Conditions.
  • What will the rates be for people calling me from the US?
    That depends on the international long distance rates charged by their Long Distance Company or international calling card.
  • Does Cellular Abroad offer insurance against loss or damage?
    Yes, rental insurance is available for $19.50 as an add-on once you add your item to the cart. See what is covered here.
  • More UK rental information:

Multi-Country Travel
You can also purchase other SIM cards as well for other countries to where you may be traveling. (This option is good for those planning on doing a lot of local calling.) We also offer an international roaming National Geographic Talk Abroad™ rental that is convenient for travel to multiple countries. (This option is useful for those wanting a single number for use in multiple countries and who will be making more calls back home than locally.)

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