Home & Roam Service

If you are a frequent international traveler, or you are traveling for a longer period of time, then the Home & Roam service is for you.

You get a UK and USA phone number that works in over 160 countries and you save up to 90% on international roaming costs!

Benefits:

Includes bonus call credit
Use in over 160 countries
Roaming rates from 30p per minute to call from Europe, the United States and Australia to landlines in United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Australia and Canada
FREE to receive calls in more than 70 countries on the UK number (including the United States)
Send text messages while roaming from 10p each
FREE to receive text messages on the UK number
Connection fee when roaming of 25p (except when it is free to receive calls)
Prepaid Data in 110 countries from 50p per MB
Family and friends can call you Toll Free (25p per minute surcharge applies)
Easy to use voicemail
24/7 Customer Service
Easy to set up forwarding of your existing number
Recharge minutes anytime via the phone or web, or enable auto-recharge
Receive a Free online automatically updated Travel Journal and Map of your Trip
Your credit never expires as long as you use the service once every 6 months (and you can re-instate expired credit at any time simply by topping up via customer service)
View call records and receipts online updated in real time
It is prepaid: so no contracts, no credit checks and no monthly fees
Receive a UK and a US +1 number

...and Great value in the UK:

Works on the O2 network for superior coverage
From 4p per minute to call UK and international landlines (from the UK)
From 15p per minute to call UK mobiles (from the UK)
From 20p per minute to call international mobiles (from the UK)
Connection fee of 25p per call
Send text messages in the UK for 10p per text
Send international text messages for 15p per text (from the UK)
Receive calls and text messages in the UK for FREE
Prepaid Data in 110 countries from 50p per MB
Free voicemail (in the UK)
Free 24/7 Customer Service (in the UK)

Both Standard SIM cards and Micro SIM cards are available for purchase. Many new phones such as the iPhone 4 and the iPad require Micro SIM cards. For more information click here. There is an option to select a Micro SIM card during Step 1 of the purchase process.

User guide

Download a print-friendly version of the user guide.

User guide (403KB PDF file)

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Rates

Calling from	Per minute rate to call a UK landline	Per minute rate to call a UK mobile *	Per minute rate to call an EU mobile *	Per minute rate to call an international landline	Per minute rate to call a international mobile *	Per minute rate to receive a call	Send a local/international text message	Per minute rate to call Customer Service or listen to voicemail
United Kingdom	£0.04	£0.15	£0.20	£0.04	£0.20	FREE	£0.10/£0.15	FREE
European Union	£0.30	£0.35	£0.35	£0.30	£0.55	FREE	£0.10/£0.45	£0.20

International Calls and International Roaming

Calling from	Per minute rate to call a landline or a US Cell Phone	Per minute rate to call a mobile *	Per minute rate to receive a call ¶	Rate to send a text message	Per minute rate to call Customer Service or listen to voicemail
Zone 1a	£0.30	£0.35 -> £0.55	FREE	£0.10 → £0.45	£0.20
Zone 1b	£0.30	£0.55	FREE	£0.45	£0.20
Zone 1c	£0.30	£0.55	£0.05	£0.45	£0.20
Zone 2	£0.50	£0.75	£0.35	£0.45	£0.35
Zone 3	£0.95	£1.20	£0.80	£0.45	£0.80
Zone 4	£1.55	£1.80	£1.40	£0.45	£1.40
Zone 5	£2.30	£2.55	£2.15	£0.45	£2.15

Determine the zone for the country you are traveling to and use the table above to find the applicable rate. A per minute surcharge applies to call some non-key countries. *View applicable countries

< Sending a text message from one European Union country (excluding the UK) to another EU country is 10p per text message. Sending a text message from outside the European Union is 45p per text message.

All rates are quoted in GBP. You are billed in 1 minute increments.
§ A 25p connection fee applies to each call made or received (outside Zone 1).
¶ There is a 15p per minute surcharge to receive calls on your US +1 number in all countries.
» It costs 10p per text message to receive text messages on your US +1 number in all countries.
* The cost of calling a cell phone in the United States and Canada is the same as calling a landline.

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Coverage

Make calls from over 160 countries and over 280 cruise ships

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Features

Voicemail
Voicemail is automatically enabled. An inbound caller will be directed to voicemail if the call is not answered within 30 seconds, if the phone is switched off or if there is no coverage. A text message will be sent to notify you of a new voicemail.

To listen to voicemail, dial 121 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
The messages will be played in order of last received. No charge applies in zone 1a or zone 1b.

To change your greeting message, dial 732 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen). No charge applies.

To disable voicemail, dial 866 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To enable voicemail, dial 869 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).

Balance inquiry
Dial 187 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
The account balance will be sent in a text message.
No charge applies.

Recharge minutes
Dial 191 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
You will be connected to the Self service recharge menu. Have your credit card handy.
No charge applies.

Customer service
Dial 154 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
You will be connected to 24/7 Customer Service.
No charge applies in zone 1a or zone 1b.

Toll-free calling
This feature can be used to let your family and friends call you from landlines, payphones and US and Canada cell phones at no charge to themselves, saving them the cost of a call. To call you, they just dial a toll-free number provided by you and enter your phone number. You will be charged a 25p per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country you are in.

To enable, dial 373 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To disable, dial 282 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Please note a call is not made. You will receive a message saying Toll Free Forwarding is either enabled or disabled.

Auto-recharge
Auto-recharge automatically recharges your account with £20 when your balance falls below £5. The automatic recharge is instantaneous and you receive a text message when it occurs.
Enable or disable Auto-recharge at any time by signing into your account online or by calling Customer service. You can also change the minimum balance and the charge amount.

To enable, dial 171 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To disable, dial 393 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Please note a call is not made. You will receive a message saying Auto Recharge is either enabled or disabled.

Call forwarding
Calls to your phone number may be forwarded to any other number. You will be charged the standard rate for zone 1 landline or mobile, depending on whether the call is forwarded to a landline or mobile phone, and if a surcharge applies.

To enable, dial 102+ followed by the country code and number you wish to forward to (for example 102+18582742686), then press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Turn disable, dial 103, then press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).

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Prepaid Data services

Prepaid Data is available for customers with applicable phones who wish to read and send emails and access the Internet using their mobile phone while traveling. Find out more about coverage and configuring your phone for data.

Rates are based on kilobytes of data used, and start from 50p per MB. The minimum charge is for 100KB and usage is charged in increments of 10KB. View rates for all countries

Sending a photo via email or MMS using phone with a VGA camera will use 100KB of data in many cases and will cost approximately 5p in United Kingdom, 15p in France and 60p in Mexico.

Tip: In order to access Prepaid Data in the United Kingdom you need to enter 3 followed by your PIN when turning on your phone. When using data in the United States you won't be able to make calls.

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Getting Started

Your service is already active for you. When you receive your package, you should:

Remove the chip from the plastic credit card sized SIM card, and insert it into your phone.

* The SIM card is already inserted into your phone if you ordered one.
* Your phone needs to be unlocked to use this service.

Turn the phone on.

Enter the 4-digit PIN and press OK. In the United States enter 2 followed by the PIN and press OK. In the United Kingdom enter 3 followed by the PIN and press OK.
- When the phone registers with an available network (this will take 30-120 seconds) it is ready for use.
- Your PIN code is a four digit code printed on the plastic credit card sized SIM card.
- Please enter the PIN correctly. The service will be blocked if the PIN is entered incorrectly 3 times. If your SIM is blocked you will have to contact Customer service to unblock it.

Get a local United Kingdom or United States Number

Your service comes with an Isle of Man 44 number. You can get a local United Kingdom 44 number online, by visiting www.rechargeminutes.com

Click on "Get Number" at the top.
Enter your Global phone number printed on the SIM card and your 4 digit and click on the "Get Number" button.
On the next page click on the "Get UK Number" button.
Your new United Kingdom number will be displayed on the screen. Please take note of it.

When you turn your phone on and pick up a network in the United States for the first time using this service, your US Number will be automatically sent to you via text message. If you wish to obtain your US number prior to entering the USA, you can get it in one of two ways:

Online. Visit www.rechargeminutes.com
1. Click on "Get Number" at the top.
2. Enter your Global phone number printed on the SIM card and your 4 digit PIN and click on the "Get Number" button.
3. On the next page click on the "Get US Number" or “Get UK Number” button.
4. Your new number will be displayed on the screen. Please take note of it.

Using our self service phone menu. Using a landline (home phone) or payphone (have pen and paper handy!):
1. Dial the toll-free number of the country where you are calling from:
  - In the United Kingdom dial 0800-376-2370
  - In the US or Canada dial 1-888-513-8804
  - In Australia dial 1800-795-252
  - For the Rest of the World (international call charges apply) dial +1 213 337 5525
2. When prompted enter your Global phone number (starts with 44), then press 2 to activate.
3. Your US Number will be announced over the phone and will also be sent to you via text message.

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Making Calls

Using this service is a little different from normal calling but so easy!

How to make a call in the United Kingdom and the United States

Turn your phone on and when prompted for the PIN, in the UK enter 3 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK and in the USA enter 2 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK. When the phone registers with an available network it is ready for use.
Dial the country code (44 for the United Kingdom, 1 for the US and Canada, 61 for Australia), area code and phone number.
Example: To call 0207-943-2772 in the United Kingdom you need to dial 442079432772
Press the call key. The call will be connected normally.

How to make a call in countries other than the United Kingdom and the United States

Turn your phone on and when prompted for the PIN, enter your 4-digit PIN and press OK.
Dial the country code (44 for the United Kingdom, 1 for the US and Canada, 61 for Australia), area code and phone number.
Example: To call 0207-943-2772 in the United Kingdom you need to dial 442079432772
Press the call key and please wait. Ignore any messages shown on your screen. You will be disconnected for 10 to 30 seconds, and then your phone will call back.
Answer the call normally. Your call will be connected after a few seconds.

^ If the call back does not happen, please refer to the following section on Prefix dialing.

Prefix dialing (how to make a call when call back does not occur)

If you are trying to make a call outside the UK and USA and the call back does not occur or if you hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, please do the following:

Dial *126* followed by the country code (44 for the United Kingdom), area code and phone number, followed by #.
If you wish to call 213-337-5555 in the US, dial *126*12133375555#
If you wish to call 0207-943-2772 in the UK, dial *126*442079432772#

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Receiving calls

How to receive a call

Just like at home - when your phone rings simply answer the call.

Family and friends can call you for free

You're about to travel overseas and your family and friends think that it will be too hard and too expensive to call you. Toll-free calling is the answer! It makes it easy for family and friends to call you from landlines, payphones and US and Canada Cell Phones at no charge to them.

Here's what to do:

Give your family and friends your new phone number.
They dial our toll free numbers from a landline, payphone or US or Canada Cell Phone

United Kingdom - 0800-376-5637
US & Canada - 1-866-305-6462
Australia - 1-800-261-038
France - 0805-101-177
Germany - 0800-000-6485

They listen to the prompts and enter your number.
Your phone will ring and you're chatting away - at no cost to your family or friends. And if you don't answer, they can leave you a voicemail.

Your family or friends will not be charged if they are using a landline, payphone or US or Canada Cell Phone. You will be charged a 25p per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country where you are.

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Recharging your account

Buying more calling time is simple. Use your American Express, Mastercard or VISA card to add £20, £30, £50, £100, £150 or £200 to your account.

There are five easy ways to recharge your account.

Using the website

Recharge online now!

Using a landline, hotel or payphone (toll free call)

Dial the toll free access number for the country you are in.
Enter your phone number then press the hash key.
Press 1 to recharge using the Self-service phone menu.
Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.

Note: a per minute rate applies to call a toll-free access number from your mobile phone.

From your mobile phone (no charge applies)

Dial 191 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key
Outside the UK and USA, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the UK and the USA, this call connects directly.
Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.

Via 24/7 Customer Service (the call is free in zone 1 countries)

Dial 154 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key
Outside the UK and USA, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the UK and the USA, this call connects directly.
Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service.

Using Auto-Recharge

Auto-recharge automatically recharges your account with £20 when your balance falls below £5.

Enable or disable Auto-recharge at any time by signing into your account online, by calling Customer Service or by dialing a short number on your phone (refer to Features). You can also change the minimum balance and the charge amount.

The automatic recharge is instantaneous and you receive a text message when it occurs.

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Contacting Customer service

From landlines, hotels and payphones:

Dial the access number for the country you are in.
Press 0# to speak to Customer Service.
Press 0 for English
Press 1 for French
Press 2 for German
Press 3 for Portuguese
Press 4 for Spanish
Press 5 for Japanese
Press 6 for Italian

Note: a per minute rate applies to call a toll-free access number from your mobile phone.

From your mobile phone (no charge applies in the United Kingdom):

Dial 154 from your phone from your phone and press the call, send or OK key
Outside the UK and USA, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the UK and the USA, this call connects directly.
Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service

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Service life

Your Service will remain active indefinitely if you:

add a minimum of £10 call credit at the time of purchase or within one month of your initial use of the service and
use a charged service (such as making a call, or sending a text message) within any six month period.

We will send you an email and text message notification one week in advance of your Service becoming inactive. If you Service does become inactive, all your remaining credit (including the credit that comes included with the SIM) will expire. However, we will automatically re-instate your full expired credit balance (including any remaining initial included call credit) if you recharge your account with $30 or more via Customer Service within fifteen (15) months of last use.

After fifteen (15) months of inactivity your SIM card will be permanently deactivated. However, we will provide you with full credit for your expired credit balance (including any remaining initial included call credit) if you purchase a new SIM card via Customer Service.

After 2 months of inactivity your US number may be changed when you go to use it again. If it has changed you will receive the new US number via text message. You can ensure that you retain your US number indefinitely by paying 30p per month for each number. Simply visit www.rechargeminutes.com, click on the 'Get number' menu option, enter your number and PIN, and click on the 'Keep Number' button (in the Account status section).

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Handset compatibility

This service works with all handsets in the United Kingdom and United States. In other countries this service works with the vast majority of handsets, but not all.

If you have difficulty using the service in your handset, please see our Buying Tips for information on handset frequencies and how to unlock your handset.

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Tips

Making calls

Before you go, enter all your phone numbers into the address book of your new mobile handset for quick and easy dialing when you are traveling.
Enter all phone numbers in the international format, starting with the country code (1 for the US), area code (without the leading 0) and phone number.
For example 12133375555, if the number is(213)337-5555 in the US; 61390100225 if the number is 03-9010-0225 in Australia; etc.
If you are using Prefix dialing, make sure you enter # at the end of the number.
For example to call 0207-943-2772 in the UK, you would dial *126*442079432772#.

Receiving calls
- The Home & Roam service gives you a UK Isle of Man (+44 7924) mobile number. Family and friends in the UK calling you direct from a BT landline* will pay only 13p per minute (peak) and 8p per minute (after 6pm) to call you, wherever you are. Many UK national mobile networks also include calls to Isle of Man mobile numbers within their inclusive minutes bundles, but family and friends should check with their specific UK mobile provider for latest information and to ensure their inclusive minutes can be used.
  
  * If you use a service other than BT please check with your landline or mobile service provider the current cost to call a UK Isle of Man (+44 7924) number, as prices vary.
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