Best package for international texts

[Taz]

I'm currently forking out £40 per month for an Orange contract but I only ever use it for sending international text messages. I don't use the 300 inclusive minutes that I have!

So, what's the best contract (preferably on Orange as i'm still within the 12-month contract period) for just sending international text messages from my phone? I know I can get Web-based services for text messages but I would rather use my phone.

Orange only charge 15p for international text messages so this is a big plus for me. However, paying £40 per month for something that I don't actually use is not good!

I have a work phone for all my personal calls and my company pays that bill.

[Funkstar]

How about just going down to the lowest Orange tarrif that still has the same text message rate? I don't think you'll get cheaper than 15p a message TBH.

[Twigman]

Send the person a free o2 sim card. they can roam overseas and it wont cost to recieve messages. You can then send messages from your orange phone to this sim card at the normal rate (and use any inclusive txts if you have any).
They can then use their local sim card to reply.

Probably the cheapest way to do it.

[Funkstar]

good idea. extending from that, depending on where they are and what that countries mobile system is like, they could sent you one of their SIMs so you both only pay for 'local' texts

might work, might not

[Twigman]

What I said definately works. And as long as they have a decent network then there is no reason why it shouldnt work the other way too.
You will probably have to remember to top up the O2 payg sim every 6months or whatever as well though.

[Taz]

Thanks for the replies. Definitely some food for thought.

[jonneymendoza]

is their a web based service for sending international txtz? im in the same situation as u

[Tobeman]

I use GenieTexter in conjunction with vgsmail, although vgsmail is shutting up shop, I'm gonna be really stuck without my 4p worldwide texts! I've heard kapow would is a good alternative, but you'll find nothing cheaper than vgsmail, atleast I havent

[Funkstar]

Yeah, and that could be why they are shutting down

(sorry couldn't resist)

[jonneymendoza]

i remember the days that sending txt on your fone use to b free, ie if u have one of those 100 free txt a month, international txt apply to that 100 free txt too. im a try this genie txt at work, heheh

[Taz]

I spoke to Orange CS. If I take out one of their text bundles then the inclusive texts are for UK mobiles only. If anyone knows of any operator text bundles that include international texts then I would be very interested!

My cheapest option is to port my number back to Virgin Mobile at the end of my 12 month contract. Virgin charge 25p for international texts but with no line rental it still works out cheaper than any pay monthly tariff.

[solosolo]

in answer to the guy looking for a replacement for vgsmail, check out smsbug.com they are even cheaper than vgsmail, international txts work out at about 3p each! u can also use this service with genietexter