Internet, Phones, Mobiles
Internet Service Providers
Where you live depends on the choice available. Broadly speaking you are likely to be offered Cox Cable, Verizon (including FIOS) or Comcast.
Most offer bundled internet, cable TV and telephone. Other phone providers include AT&T – Customer Service 1 800 222 0300
Need to get on the internet straight-away – buy a mobile internet stick or Blackberry or equivalent. Your local library should also have internet facilities and many have free wi-fi. If you get a Starbucks card you can sign-up for free internet in Starbucks – but you have to be able to activate on-line in the first place!
More information on sticks and dongles (ie mobile internet) can be found here.
Purchase from providers such as T-mobile or Fido
–Amazon usually offer a range of such products and services for UK and US – just make sure you buy the right one!
Go to Keeping In touch here for information on Skype
Most offer bundled internet, cable TV and telephone. Other phone providers include AT&T – Customer Service 1 800 222 0300
Need to get on the internet straight-away – buy a mobile internet stick or Blackberry or equivalent. Your local library should also have internet facilities and many have free wi-fi. If you get a Starbucks card you can sign-up for free internet in Starbucks – but you have to be able to activate on-line in the first place!
More information on sticks and dongles (ie mobile internet) can be found here.
Purchase from providers such as T-mobile or Fido
–Amazon usually offer a range of such products and services for UK and US – just make sure you buy the right one!
Go to Keeping In touch here for information on Skype
Telephones
Emergency Services: Dial 911
Phone numbers look like this 202 588 6847
The first three numbers are the area code. Broadly speaking the local area codes are 703 for Virginia, 301 for Maryland and 202 for DC.
When you dial long distance you should prefix the area code for the number you need by the digit 1. (eg 1 202 588 6847) To make life a little more complicated, some locations within the 301 and 703 can be classed as long distance!
Consult the front section of the phone book, there is a wealth of information there. All local calls are normally free, but do check with your service provider.
Phone numbers look like this 202 588 6847
The first three numbers are the area code. Broadly speaking the local area codes are 703 for Virginia, 301 for Maryland and 202 for DC.
When you dial long distance you should prefix the area code for the number you need by the digit 1. (eg 1 202 588 6847) To make life a little more complicated, some locations within the 301 and 703 can be classed as long distance!
Consult the front section of the phone book, there is a wealth of information there. All local calls are normally free, but do check with your service provider.
Long distance but not overseas
The US is a vast country– when they talk long distance they mean Virginia to Florida or California –not The UK or Europe. However many service providers have special rates for calling the UK and other international destinations, so do ask.
You do not necessarily need a subscription to a long distance provider to get calls from your home to UK at a reasonable rate. Several companies exist that provide calls to the UK at an economical rate with no subscription eg PT 1-Long Distance offers calls to the UK for 7.9c a minute (24 hours a day). The service also gives US long distance at the same rate and most other countries at varying prices.
Flat Rate Online –offers a very good service for calling UK or long distance anywhere, including the USA. You pay by credit card on line and the company keeps your account topped up www.flatrateonline.net
NOTE: It is really important not to call the UK from your home until you haveset up an account with a long distance carrier and confirmed it is operating.
The per minute charge is very high compared to the cost once an account has been set up.
Acculinq
www.acculinq.com/
You do not necessarily need a subscription to a long distance provider to get calls from your home to UK at a reasonable rate. Several companies exist that provide calls to the UK at an economical rate with no subscription eg PT 1-Long Distance offers calls to the UK for 7.9c a minute (24 hours a day). The service also gives US long distance at the same rate and most other countries at varying prices.
Flat Rate Online –offers a very good service for calling UK or long distance anywhere, including the USA. You pay by credit card on line and the company keeps your account topped up www.flatrateonline.net
NOTE: It is really important not to call the UK from your home until you haveset up an account with a long distance carrier and confirmed it is operating.
The per minute charge is very high compared to the cost once an account has been set up.
Acculinq
www.acculinq.com/
Mobiles Phones
Pay as you go and contract phones are available. You won’t find the bargains you can get in the UK, especially without a Social Security number and you will be charged for incoming as well as outgoing
calls….
However a company called American Wireless can switch your UK mobile phone to allow you access to cheaper "single mobile" SIM only deals.
calls….
However a company called American Wireless can switch your UK mobile phone to allow you access to cheaper "single mobile" SIM only deals.
