The Smart network has been “ down “ earlier this week, which does happen a few times each year. This time I could receive but not send texts.
This site could be worth a look :-
https://www.callingnow.co.uk/
They have available a “ Plug n’ Talk “ device for use through a USB on computers connected to broadband. A “ soft phone “ appears on screen , and once status display reads “ SMART Plug n’ Talk Ready “ you can send / receive text messages. It now costs 20 GBP – including device, travel pouch, earphone and microphone, Smart Pinoy Sim,and P 20 load.
Texts to Smart mobile numbers are around P 1, or non-Smart P 2.5 - for 160 character messages.
( Initiating voice calls to Smart mobile are around P 7.50, non-Smart or Philippines landline P 8.50 per minute, but not always available.)
Receiving texts ( or voice calls if available ) from Philippines are free, and texts cost from P 1 ( depending on network ) to send from Philippines.
Using unblocked mobile phone and a Smart Pinoy Sim, set to “ Roaming “ ( for use outside Philippines ), texts to the Philippines are about P 20 each, although you can’t make calls. As Steve says, receiving texts, which cost around P 1 to send, are free. An unblocked mobile can be used for texts or calls in the Philippines, when Roaming facility turned off. It should be easy to get a mobile unblocked in the UK.
You can obtain Smart or other E loads, such as Globe, online through “ Calling Now “, around 17 GBP for P 1000.
Vodafone has monthly mobile contracts which include “ international packages “ at around 4.17 GBP / month, reducing costs of calls and texts, but they may still be more than using a Smart or Globe Sim. It may be possible to negotiate deals, as I have just done in this sort of package, such as 100 free texts / month to Philippines or elsewhere in the world.
