Dublin Forum: Best SIM card for Ireland - heard of MobilityPass?

Thanks newgrange for the link to those reviews. I have been studying the Ireland forums and most of my questions have been answered except this one about phone service.

I've been wary of this particular company because it has been very difficult to find any recommendations about them (either good or bad). The only thing I could find was their own marketing. I appreciate the re-direct.

There have been tons of cell phone advice on this site and plenty about other companies but not this one so I wanted to confirm my gut reaction. Their rates were lower so I was sure it was too good to be true.

Thanks also for the posting tips - perhaps I shouldn't have posted a link but I really needed trip advice about this link.

I look forward to visiting Newgrange. I've heard it's amazing.

One way or another you'll be paying high charges if you want a US number *and* and Irish number. You can get a SIM card in Ireland no problem, but will your US colleagues want to call an Irish number and incur international charges? Likewise you can use your US SIM here, but then every call you make will be charged at horrific international roaming rates.

Perhaps using two SIMs, one for business and one for pleasure? Or even two phones; just buy a cheap phone+SIM here on arrival for about €50 and it comes with usually €10 call credit. That way you can leave your US phone on all the time to receive urgent incoming calls, and use your Irish phone for local calls.

Or you could arrange Skype calls, or look at using something like jaxtr.com for calling where everyone only has to dial a local number. With VoIP taking off there is going to be an explosion of competitors to Skype.

Thanks Mark -

I plan to use Skype as much as possible - but my residence (in a family home) won't have wifi and I'm going to feel uncomfortable typing up their phone lines.

I've read up on Irish rates and they have great rates locally but horrible to call home. And my current carrier (ATT) also has really high rates and I can't unlock that phone because my phone is new and I don't want to void warranty.

I have an old Tmobile unlocked phone.

The Telestial rates have a Passport international roaming SIM for $29 with $10 of airtime. The rates are 29cents to call either locally or USA. Since I plan side visits to France and London and will need to call Ireland, France, England and USA this seemed like a good rate. I plan to only use it when I'm not able to access Skype.

MobilityPass came into my deliberations late when their ads kept popping up everywhere. Their rates were 27cents outgoing and free incoming. Seemed too good to be true - and in fact that's because it is!

If you are looking at 2months Broadband try 3 a DongleModem is 69euro plus 25euro per month 119euro if its business put it on ex's.

I use Meteor for contacting UK, O2 is too expensive, Vodaphone is an option.

Forgot the link, wish TA would put an edit option on.

http://www.three.ie/broadband/3pay.htm

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY IF YOU VALUE YOUR MONEY!

I had a terrible experience which could have been worse if I hadn't had the foresight to use PayPal. If you must deal with them, use PayPal so that your credit card will not automatically be charged without your consent. Bogus charges and terrible service.

On the other hand I had a terrific experience with Brightroam. I purchased a phone and minutes from them and everything went smoothly. Quick delivery, good equipment, good communication, and no hidden or bogus charges. Would use them again in a heartbeat. Don't know if they have exactly what you're looking for, but check them out.

Good luck and STAY AWAY FROM MOBILITYPASS.

My experience with the mobilitypass guys is great, it´s actually one of the first times that a real human being called me to ask if I needed assistance after I bought the sim card.

Using it worked out fine, and it saved me a lot of money on my phone bill. Last time I went abroad with my other phone I came back to a $675 bill for only 17 calls!!

With this mobility card I probably saved hundreds, from my opinion it would be a good choice to buy their sim card especially when traveling.

Brian J.

Where did you go Brianoj, Ireland or other countries?

I likewise wish to warn of MobilityPass. I tried them this last Summer when traveling in Europe and had a HUGE amount taken directly from my credit card account. I fully recommend using Skype to communicate with the USA.

For a small sum you can "rent" a telephone number in your home area and anyone calling that number will be routed to your Skype account.

Anyone intending to stay in a country at least a month ought to take a look at the local Telephone provider. They might have good offers on a short term

mobile broadband account. John

p.s. I noticed that Brian J. who commented earlier on this site also sent the only positive comment to TrustPilot about MobilityPass.