Home News Forum Articles
  Welcome back Join CF
You are here You are here: Home | Forum | Using my virgin mobile overseas

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most of the discussions, articles and other free features. By joining our Virgin Media community you will have full access to all discussions, be able to view and post threads, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own images/photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please join our community today.


Welcome to Cable Forum
Go Back   Cable Forum > Virgin Media Services > Virgin & O2 Mobile Service

Using my virgin mobile overseas
Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 11-07-2008, 12:17   #1
aardvark
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: North Staffs
Posts: 72
aardvark is an unknown quantity at this point
Using my virgin mobile overseas

I've just had a fascinating conversation with 3 different people on 'The Team' who've told me that, despite what it says on the virginmobile website, if I divert all my calls to voicemail (before I go) I will be charged every time someone leaves a message on my voicemail while I'm abroad.

I understand that calling my voicemail from overseas will incur a charge BUT surely what they've told me can't be correct.

Even if my phone is switched off while I'm out of the country 'the system will know where you are' and I'll be charged for every voicemail left.

Anyone got any experience of this?
aardvark is offline   Reply With Quote
Advertisement
Old 11-07-2008, 12:30   #2
King Of Fools
Inactive
 
King Of Fools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cambridge
Services: 2 for £22 (Broadband Size: M and Phone Size: M), Free TV Size: M and fries!
Posts: 1,218
King Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful oneKing Of Fools is the helpful one
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

You will not be charged for people leaving a Voicemail if you divert all calls before you leave the country.
King Of Fools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 12:35   #3
Kymmy
Inactive
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,398
Kymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny stars
Kymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny stars
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Hmm, so virgin mobiles have a built in device that can track turned off phones??????

Excuse me whilst I wet myself laughing...

Seriously though no idea about virgin but every single other mobile company actually suggest that you divert your calls to voicemail if you don;t want to be charged overseas rates.. It's not the mobile that diverts the call but the comms centre and if you set the call to be transfered it'll never ever try to communicate with your mobile when receiving/diverting an incoming call.

Kymmy

---------- Post added at 11:35 ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 ----------

From virgins own website

Quote:
Set your call diverts
When someone reaches your voicemail, you get charged the cost of sending the call to the country you're in, and then back to the UK even though they may not leave a message.
But you can get around this - just set your phone to 'divert all calls' to voicemail.
However, this does mean that you won't get any incoming calls
Kymmy
Kymmy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 12:37   #4
Raistlin
Inactive
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: There's no place like 127.0.0.1
Services: Depends on the person and the price they're offering
Posts: 12,384
Raistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered stars
Raistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered starsRaistlin is seeing silvered stars
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Actually (and I appreciate that this is off-topic) the majority of phones are trackable (to within a certain distance) when they're switched off

The ultra paranoid might want to remove the battery
Raistlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 12:39   #5
aardvark
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: North Staffs
Posts: 72
aardvark is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

I know that, you know that, the Virgin webteam know that ... but the guys on at 789 on 'The Team' certainly don't and, despite my protestations, insisted that any call made to my voicemail while I was abroad even though I'd set all calls to divert to it before I left would be charged ... because 'the call goes to my (switched off) mobile and then back to UK!!
aardvark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 12:47   #6
Kymmy
Inactive
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,398
Kymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny stars
Kymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny starsKymmy has a pair of shiny stars
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob M View Post
Actually (and I appreciate that this is off-topic) the majority of phones are trackable (to within a certain distance) when they're switched off

The ultra paranoid might want to remove the battery
Errrr, no!!!

Not unless you want to track the local oscilator on the standby circuit but then you'd have to be within about 2 meters to get any form of signal...

It's actually an urban myth that you can track a mobile phone that has been turned off, You can get specialised phones that appear to turn off (handy to give to your child who then thinks that by turning it off they're not being tracked by thier parents) but they don't actually turn off unless a code is inputted.

Kymmy
Kymmy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 13:20   #7
chickendippers
Inactive
 
chickendippers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle and Horsham
Services: On-cable: TV-L, BB-L, Phone-M. Off-cable: Sky+ HD, Plusnet Unlimited.
Posts: 1,432
chickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of lightchickendippers is a glorious beacon of light
Send a message via MSN to chickendippers
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

When I was in America, I didn't set call divert, I just didn't answer any calls.

My friend left a voicemail, they were charged the international rate for making the call. I was not charged for him leaving a voicemail.

I was charged for checking my voicemail abroad.
chickendippers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2008, 17:39   #8
AndyCambs
cf.mega poster
 
AndyCambs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Peterborough
Services: Virgin Media XL Broadband XL Virgin Mobile V+ installed! and a happy Virgin Media customer
Posts: 2,560
AndyCambs has reached the bronze age
AndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze age
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Quote:
Originally Posted by chickendippers View Post
When I was in America, I didn't set call divert, I just didn't answer any calls.

My friend left a voicemail, they were charged the international rate for making the call. I was not charged for him leaving a voicemail.

I was charged for checking my voicemail abroad.
Don't you mean that your friends were charged the standard mobile rate in the UK, and you would have been charged extra had you answered it?

The phone company can't charge the caller a different rate for where you are - since there's no way that the person calling can be advised of the call charges.
You would be charged to retrieve your voicemails - as that's YOU calling from abroad back to UK.
AndyCambs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 21:20   #9
BexTech
Inactive
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Birmingham
Services: Virgin Media Cable TV (1TB Tivo) & Net, 120cm motorized satellite system.
Posts: 309
BexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really nice
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

I always have voicemail completely switched off. That way I can't get charged for someone leaving a voicemail. Though you do have to call Virgin Mobile to tell them you want to be able to switch voicemail off as by default it leaves it set on even when cancelling via the phone unless you ask VM to allow you to switch it on and off yourself.

I hate voicemail anyway - just a money making scam.
BexTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 22:58   #10
AndyCambs
cf.mega poster
 
AndyCambs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Peterborough
Services: Virgin Media XL Broadband XL Virgin Mobile V+ installed! and a happy Virgin Media customer
Posts: 2,560
AndyCambs has reached the bronze age
AndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze ageAndyCambs has reached the bronze age
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Not sure how it is a scam -I don't get charged to listen to the voicemail, and most times it's my decision not to listen to the incoming message.
AndyCambs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2008, 23:11   #11
BexTech
Inactive
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Birmingham
Services: Virgin Media Cable TV (1TB Tivo) & Net, 120cm motorized satellite system.
Posts: 309
BexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really nice
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyCambs View Post
Not sure how it is a scam -I don't get charged to listen to the voicemail, and most times it's my decision not to listen to the incoming message.
The person calling you is charge as soon as they hit voicemail.

This is why landline providers offered 1571 free, they now instead of getting nothing when hitting a busy tone or not answered they get revenue. Same with mobile phone operators, instead of the caller hearing a busy tone, currently unavailable message, switched off message and not being charged, they get voicemail and get charged, now with many people simply not bothering to listen to their voicemail message as you say it's your choice to listen to them (I don't get charged to listen if I had it enabled) you may have to try several times and instead of it previously costing you nothing to keep trying it's costing 6 - 15p a pop. The telco you use to make the call earns a cut from the charge, the network the phone is on receives a cut.

Voicemail / 1571 is for the benefit of the telco, not the customer. A money making scam.

I am considerate to my callers and don't have voicemail as it is unfair to expect them to be charged for not been able to get hold of me.
BexTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-07-2008, 09:13   #12
aardvark
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: North Staffs
Posts: 72
aardvark is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Quote:
Originally Posted by aardvark View Post
I've just had a fascinating conversation with 3 different people on 'The Team' who've told me that, despite what it says on the virginmobile website, if I divert all my calls to voicemail (before I go) I will be charged every time someone leaves a message on my voicemail while I'm abroad.

I understand that calling my voicemail from overseas will incur a charge BUT surely what they've told me can't be correct.

Even if my phone is switched off while I'm out of the country 'the system will know where you are' and I'll be charged for every voicemail left.
In this particular instance, Voicemail is not a 'scam' but an essential means of controlling the cost of using my phone. If I'm abroad without all calls diverted to voicemail or with voicemail switched off, I'm charged for every call I receive when my phone's switched on.

If I divert all calls to voicemail before I leave, I can control what I pay - I can choose to (or not to) access my voicemail box and to return peoples calls if I wish. If I choose not to, I should not be charged anything.

The information that 'The Team' appears to be giving seems to be taking away control from the user by removing the option to control costs and actively encouraging people to either leave their phone at home or to take calls, at great expense, while they're abroad. This, if anything, is the scam!
aardvark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-07-2008, 10:58   #13
BexTech
Inactive
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Birmingham
Services: Virgin Media Cable TV (1TB Tivo) & Net, 120cm motorized satellite system.
Posts: 309
BexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really niceBexTech is just really nice
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

No. I always have voicemail switched off at home and abroad.

When abroad I only answer the calls I want to answer. I don't answer the calls I don't want to answer - therefore I control what I am charged.

The wisest choice is to ensure you have no voicemail and only take the calls you want to.

1571 / Voicemail as always been a scam to make extra money, simply because it doesn't cost the caller anything to be told the phone is off or unavailable or you didn't get to the phone in time, yet with voicemail / 1571 active it does cost the caller in these istances - it was simply a money making scam plain and simple.
BexTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-07-2008, 15:27   #14
aardvark
Inactive
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: North Staffs
Posts: 72
aardvark is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

Quote:
Originally Posted by BexTech View Post
1571 / Voicemail as always been a scam to make extra money, simply because it doesn't cost the caller anything to be told the phone is off or unavailable or you didn't get to the phone in time, yet with voicemail / 1571 active it does cost the caller in these istances - it was simply a money making scam plain and simple.
We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this Bex. I find voicemail extremely useful. In my work, I have to keep in touch with lots of different people some of whom will be calling to give me my next assignment. The nature of my job means that I'm often unable to answer my mobile calls for long periods. No answer means no job and my next day's pay would be lost.

But we digress and probably should get back to the original topic - the cost of using voicemail abroad.
aardvark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-07-2008, 16:20   #15
Halcyon
Hello !
 
Halcyon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Somewhere
Services: Sky, AppleTV, Netflix
Posts: 16,625
Halcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered stars
Halcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered starsHalcyon is seeing silvered stars
Re: Using my virgin mobile overseas

I always thought it was only if you called up your voice mail from abroad that you get charged.
If you just leave the voice messages sitting there you won't get charged.
That's what I thought.
__________________
.
-

Halcyon is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:48.


Server: osmium.zmnt.uk
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.