Not so Smart !

[Dedworth]

Smart Telecoms discontinued its cheap “ Plug n Talk “ call and text service at the end of July, without notice to agents or customers. The dedicated hardware – a USB communication device which allowed you to call / text any mobile or landline in the Philippines ( originally costing around P 4000 ) - is now useless. I’m told ( www.callingnow.co.uk , 0207 987 3749 ) that there are no plans to re-introduce the service. This is a retrograde step, even if the hardware sometimes failed to work due to corruption of the devices file system.

There is a replacement web based soft phone (https://www.talktipid.com/ ) which appears to lack features of the hardware device - although calls can be made, it can send but can’t receive text messages.

The SIM card load can still be used if the device was set to “ Roaming “ before removal, by inserting in an unblocked mobile phone. Of course texts between UK and Philippines are more expensive than they were with " Plug ' Talk " - around P20 each, and calls may not be possible.

Texts with a UK SIM card from a UK mobile network are around 35p each ; calls are well over £ 1 / minute, and there may not be good connection. Vodafone does have monthly mobile contracts which include “ international packages “ at over £4 / month, reducing costs of calls and texts. They also have packages of 100 free texts / month, on request, for long term customers such as myself.

I don’t have experience of any cheap, reliable alternatives for making mobile or landline phone calls between UK and Philippines.

Computer-computer calls – with or without video – such as Skype or Yahoo, usually, but not always, allow good communication at no cost.

Doc I think my wife bought one of these at the 2010 Barrio Fiesta http://www.plugandtalk.co.uk/home/index.html (doesn't look like they've updated their website since), some Brit cowboys from Virginia Water/Ascot selling them. She used it about twice then her brother or a friend lost it

[Doc Alan]

Doc I think my wife bought one of these at the 2010 Barrio Fiesta http://www.plugandtalk.co.uk/home/index.html (doesn't look like they've updated their website since), some Brit cowboys from Virginia Water/Ascot selling them. She used it about twice then her brother or a friend lost it

About £ 20 was what I paid, Ded. It was useful while it worked - Smart-Smart texts were each P 1 to and from the Philippines, and " non-Smart " texts P 2.5 each. At least I was able to retrieve the loaded Sim card, which I can use to send " roaming " texts from my mobile phone for P 20 each ( Europe as well as UK ). I understand they're P 1 each to send from the Philippines ( Smart network ).
No-one should now buy these " Plug 'n Talk " devices as they no longer work .
Thanks for your post gWaPito
For me, while in UK, the 100 " free " texts / month on the Vodafone contract is enough, but it's helpful to get members' advice here .